Which English Proficiency Test do Indian Students Prefer for Studying Abroad? | Poll Insights

Numerous Indian students pursue a study abroad dream every year. The manifestation of this dream, however, goes through proving their proficiency in the English language, which is often the primary medium of instruction and training abroad. Read this article as we bring to you insights from the results of our latest poll on what is preferred English exam among Indian students - IELTS Vs. TOEFL Vs. PTE Vs. Duolingo.

In its latest poll, Shiksha Study Abroad asked the readers, “Which English proficiency test do you prefer for studying abroad?”, to which 822 responded with a clear choice. The clear preferences that emerged for English proficiency tests to study abroad are:

• IELTS: 49% (Most popular choice)
• PTE Academic: 34% (Strong second preference)
• Duolingo English Test: 11% (Growing alternative)
• TOEFL: 6% (Least preferred among the four)

The image of the poll result can be seen here below:

This distribution reflects careful decision-making based on specific advantages each test offers for international education aspirations. This article reflects upon the insights drawn from the choices made by Indian students going abroad on their preferred English test. We will dive deeper into determining all the possible reasons for these choices. 

Read: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo- Which test you should take?

Insights from the 49% of Votes for the IELTS Exam

The IELTS exam has received the maximum votes as one of the most preferred English exams available in the market. This choice may be a result of several influences, such as the cost of the IELTS exam, its format, results-release time, recognition, etc. Let’s look deeper into several such compelling reasons below.

• Global Recognition:
• The IELTS exam is accepted by 12,000+ organisations across 140+ countries.
• It is strongly recognised in Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
• The IELTS exam results are valid for both academic admissions and immigration applications.

• Resource Availability:
• Well-established 80+ coaching centres are available throughout India.
• Abundant study materials are provided by IDP Education, Cambridge English and the British Council for IELTS test preparation.
• Free and paid resources are available for preparation and practice, including books, PDFs, practice tests, & mock tests.

• Test Format Features:
• The IELTS exam evaluates four skills, i.e. listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The different varieties of question types cater to different learning styles.
• Incorporates diverse accents (British, Australian, New Zealand, American).
• Face-to-face speaking assessment with a certified examiner.

Adding to the above points, there is a high visibility of successful applicants who used the IELTS exam for their study abroad requirements. 

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Insights Drawn from the 39% of Votes Received for the PTE Exam

Here are the possible reasons that may have affected the decision of 39% of the voters taking this poll. These reasons may include:

1. PTE Exam Format: The fully computer-based testing, including the speaking section, makes the PTE exam a completely non-biased exam. 
2. PTE Exam Scoring: With very little human intervention, the AI-powered scoring system is perceived as objective and consistent. 
3. Types of Questions: PTE Exam assesses test takers through integrated tasks that assess multiple language skills, such as speaking & writing, reading and listening simultaneously. 
4. PTE Exam Result Delivery: The result of the PTE exam is delivered within 48 hours of taking the exam. In other cases, the result may be delivered in 5-6 days, but not more than that. Students can share their results with as many universities as they want without having to pay any extra charges. 
5. PTE Test Dates Availability: PTE exam dates are available year-round. Test takers can even book a slot 24 hours before taking the exam. 
6. Test Question Approach: The PTE exam tests "international English" rather than specific regional variants. Hence, it is perceived as more accessible and relevant to real-world communication.
7. Worldwide recognition: The PTE exam is increasingly getting recognised across the world. It is also recognised by the governments of Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand for visa and immigration purposes.

Duolingo Surpassing the TOEFL Exam: Poll Results

Here are the top compelling points about the Duolingo English Test (DET) that may lead it to be chosen more than the TOEFL exam:

1. Duolingo Exam Fee: The Duolingo exam is currently the lowest priced English exam among the top 4 - IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo. The Duolingo exam fee in 2025 for Indian students is only INR 6000 (USD 70). This, when clubbed with the advantage of getting to share the results with as many universities as you want without any extra fees, makes DET increasingly popular among Indian students. 
2. Exam Accessibility: Unlike other English tests, Duolingo can be taken from the comfort of one’s home. So, they won’t have to travel to the test centres on the scheduled test date. 
3. Duolingo test format: The exam is also shorter than most other English tests, with only 1 hour duration. 
4. Results Delivery: Similar to the PTE exam, the Duolingo exam results are also released within 48 hours of taking the exam. This is, in turn, beneficial for students with tight deadlines. 

Insights from the Lowest Poll Votes Received to the TOEFL Exam

While not confirmed, the following may be the possible reasons for a decline in votes for the TOEFL exam:

1. More Academic Focus: Being one of the oldest English tests, the TOEFL exam is strongly oriented towards university-level materials. Its reading passages are similar to college-level texts, and integrated tasks require synthesis of information. This makes the test preferred for research-oriented programs in North America.
2. Recognition: Widely accepted in American and Canadian universities, while also accepted in other major destinations around the world, like the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, etc. 
3. TOEFL Exam Slots Availability: Another reason for the PTE exam surpassing the TOEFL exam is the flexibility of booking the exam slot even 24 hours before. While you need to book the TOEFL exam at least 3 days ago the test date. 
4. The other reason that might argue for the lowest votes received by the TOEFL test is the higher popularity of the IELTS and PTE tests. While TOEFL is also very widely known, the global acceptance of the IELTS exam and the shorter duration and immediate release of the PTE exam result proved to be more beneficiary for Indian students. 

Deep Dive: Why Indian Students Made These Test Choices

Here are the possible reasons that have led test takers to make the above choices in the poll.

1. Career Aspirations and Destination Preferences: Australia and Canada have become increasingly popular destinations for Indian students. These countries have strong IELTS and PTE recognition for both education and immigration. The potential pathway to permanent residency influences the test choice significantly.
2. School-Based English Education: Most Indian schools teach British English, making IELTS's UK-influenced format more familiar. The emphasis on written tasks and conventional grammar aligns with traditional Indian education.
3. Test Preparation Ecosystem: Coaching centres flourish in urban and semi-urban India, particularly for IELTS. The ₹40,000+ crore test preparation industry heavily influences student choices. Regional coaching hubs in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh create test preference clusters.
4. Peer Influence and Social Networks: Success stories from friends and relatives heavily influence test selection. "Word-of-mouth" recommendations carry substantial weight in Indian decision-making. Community forums and WhatsApp groups share experiences and advice about specific tests.

This was all about the insights from our poll to draw the conclusion on which is preferred English exam amongst the Indian students between IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo. For more information about studying abroad, reach out to Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free.