Can I Take an English Proficiency Test Online?

Before you kickstart your plans to study abroad, you need to take an English proficiency test. And while official English test providers have centers worldwide, location and time might be a challenge. Some also experience other access issues, like mobility. This is why the option to complete your English proficiency test online can come in handy! 

The availability of online alternatives for official English proficiency tests like the IELTS and TOEFL escalated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Completing your test online helped keep you and your applications to study abroad on track. Now, the most popular proficiency tests have online alternatives. However, while these tests are convenient, they are not always the best fit to study abroad. Let’s have a closer look at the online alternatives of popular English language tests for studying abroad.

Why Take Your English Proficiency Test Online?

Options to take an English proficiency test online jumped in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of lockdown restrictions, test-takers could not physically visit centers for their test. Test centers running in-person tests also did so in smaller batches with longer wait times for safety and precautionary reasons. Now, the three most popular English language proficiency tests – the IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic – all have online alternatives.

Sitting the test online has some instant perks, especially if the nearest test center for you is still difficult to access. Before you make your decision, take a moment to consider if the online test is right for you. Taking the online version of an English proficiency test comes with many great perks, but may also have some significant drawbacks. One of the most important questions to ask yourself is whether an English proficiency test online is the right option for your study abroad plans. 

Benefits of Taking the Test Online

● No commute or travel arrangements necessary
● You can take the test from remote locations
● Flexible timings
● Faster evaluation (depending on the provider)

Disadvantages of Taking the Test Online

● Some universities may not accept online test scores
● Online tests are in general not valid for visa applications
● Not available in all countries
● Must meet hardware and software requirements to sit the test remotely
● Issues like network connectivity can disrupt your test 

IELTS Online

The IELTS Academic is the most popular English proficiency test that virtually all global universities accept as proof of English ability. As an English proficiency test alternative, you may consider the IELTS Online, which follows the same format and question types as the Academic test! 

Unfortunately, one of the most immediate drawbacks is availability. IELTS Online is not available in all countries, so be sure to check whether you are part of the select list of eligible countries for IELTS Online before you decide to go for this option. 

Requirements to Take IELTS Online

● Must be 18 years old with a valid passport
● Living in one of the eligible countries
● Suitable PC to take the test - you cannot take the test on your phone.
● Compatible hardware to run the Inspera Exam Portal software

Exam Format for the IELTS Online

The IELTS Online test has the same format, structure, and question types as the IELTS Academic test. You will sit the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections via a computer in your remote location. For the speaking portion of the test, you will connect with a human instructor through a video call. The IELTS Online test format breaks down as follows:

Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
4 recordings 40 total questions	3 passages of test 40 total questions	2 writing tasks	Similar interview as offline test

Now, on paper, the idea of sitting an English proficiency test online from the comfort of your home can sound quite convenient. In reality, though, to ensure that you are sitting the test in the ideal, exam-room conditions, you have to meet the IELTS Online security requirements first.

These security measures include:

ID Checking: 
You will need to have an official ID - for example, your passport - to verify your identity.

Secure Test Environment:
You will take the test through the Inspera Exam Portal software, which you will download before your test. This software ensures that you cannot use other browsers or apps to answer your questions during the exam. Before your test day, ensure that your device has enough space to download and smoothly run the software.

Plagiarism Check:
Your writing section answers will go through plagiarism checks.

Monitoring:
Before you start the test, you will have to show your online proctor your test environment to verify that you are in a private space without any people or unauthorized materials. For the duration of the test, you must keep your camera on so a combination of AI and human proctors can monitor you.

How to Register for the IELTS Online

You can book an online IELTS test by visiting the test website, if the test is available in your country. 

The test dates are available in the calendar of the webpage where you will register. The duration of the test is the same as the IELTS Academic test – the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are a collective 2 hours and 30 minutes long session, while the Speaking section can be between 11 to 14 minutes. When booking your test, make sure that there is enough time between your Speaking session and the rest of the test. You don’t want there to be an overlap between your test slots.

You will also have to ensure you have a stable network connection for the duration of the test. Alongside a camera, you will need working headphones or earphones, a microphone, and a desktop or laptop device.

Before you book your test, though, be sure that the list of university courses you are considering accepts IELTS Online test scores. Remember, also, that the IELTS Online is not an appropriate test to meet English language requirements for immigration. To study abroad, a safer bet for you would be the regular IELTS Academic test which you will sit at a test center.

PTE Academic Online

Pearson Test of English (Academic) is an alternative to the IELTS that global universities accept as proof of English ability, especially if you want to study in Australia. Like the IELTS Academic, there is a full online version of the test where you complete the exam in one sitting. 

Requirements to Take PTE Academic Online

● Compatible hardware and software with Windows or Mac OS meeting the system requirements
● Stable network connection
● Quiet and private location for taking the test
● Wired headset with a microphone

Exam Format for the PTE Academic Online

The PTE Academic Online test format is the same as that of the regular Academic test you would take at a center. Before your test day, you will download the test software and log in, making sure all your equipment meets the right specs to run the test smoothly. You should check these specs before your test day, so you have enough time to prepare and troubleshoot if necessary. 

Alongside your desktop or laptop device, you will also need to use a headset and microphone for the listening and speaking parts of the test. There must be no echo or noise in the background while you complete the speaking tasks. Throughout the exam, your camera must stay on for invigilation while you take the test.

The PTE Academic Online consists of 3 parts: Reading; Listening; Speaking and Writing:

Speaking and Writing	Reading	Listening
54-67 minutes 7 question types	29–30 minutes  5 question types	30-43 minutes 8 question types

How to Register for the PTE Academic Online

To take this English proficiency test online, you must register through the official test website. In comparison to the IELTS Online, the PTE Academic Online is more accessible geographically, so you can take the test from most countries. Before you book your test, however, remember that:

● Not all the universities offering your course subject list may accept PTE Academic Online scores
● The online test scores are not valid for visa applications 
● You must meet the hardware and software requirements to run the test
● Your internet connection must be strong and stable to run the test without interruptions
● You must be in a secure environment without other people or any unauthorized material

TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Most universities and countries around the world accept the TOEFL iBT test as proof of your English language ability. You can opt for the Home Edition as an English proficiency test online alternative and take advantage of its flexible timing options. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available 24 hours a day and 4 days a week. This makes the TOEFL iBT one of the most flexible tests to take online.

Requirements to Take TOEFL iBT Home Edition

To take the Home Edition test, you must meet the following technical requirements:

●    You must take the test on a desktop computer – you cannot take the test on a phone
●    Your set-up must include: 

○    Single monitor
○    Single keyboard
○    Registered operating system, Windows 10 or higher/Mac OS X 10.13 or higher
○    Chrome or Firefox browser
○    Internal or external speaker, no headphones
○    Internal or external microphones
○    External camera or webcam 

Exam Format of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Like the IELTS test, the TOEFL iBT also has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The test takes 2 hours to complete, with about 30 minutes for checking in. The format is the same for the Home Edition as it is for the regular iBT test. Before you sit the exam, you must download the ETS secure browser software and run the equipment check to make sure that your devices are all compatible with the test. 

Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
36 minutes 28 questions	35 minutes 20 questions	29 minutes 2 writing tasks	16 minutes 4 speaking tasks

Like the other options for an English proficiency test online, the exam will include invigilation. A proctor will monitor you during the test and view you through your camera, listen to your responses and to any surrounding audio. You will need to follow test protocol to take the online test for a smooth experience, which includes:

● Being alone in the room and showing the proctor a 360-degree view of the space
● Keeping all doors shut
● Clearing your workspace of any unauthorized items, including cellphones
● Sitting on a chair during the test while keeping the test-taking device on a desk

How to Register for the TOEFL iBT – Home Edition 

To register for the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, you need to log in to your ETS account on the official website and select the Home Edition for the test. Use the calendar tool to select a suitable date and time for your test, making sure you check off the right environment and equipment requirements for the test day.

Make sure your ID documents are valid and match the name you used to register and agree to the TOEFL iBT policies and procedures. Once you complete the payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your test appointment details.

Before booking the test, be sure that the list of university courses you want to apply for accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. The university may not separately list the Home Edition test if it already lists the TOEFL iBT, even though it may accept these scores. Your best bet is to shortlist the universities you want to apply to, for example using a tool like GRADSearch, and independently research or reach out to understand whether your Home Edition scores will be valid. Note, though, that immigration authorities do not generally accept online test score results.

Rounding Up

Taking an English proficiency test online can be a great alternative if accessibility is an issue. However, you must consider the drawbacks before you commit to an online option. While options like IELTS Online, PTE Academic Online, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition offer many perks, there are also some significant drawbacks, especially for prospective international students. One of the biggest drawbacks is that online tests are generally not valid for visa applications. Meanwhile, not all universities accept online test alternatives, whereas universities and immigration authorities accept IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic scores from test centers across the board.