If you’re aspiring to move to Australia, proving your English proficiency is one of the most important factors to consider. It is important for multiple reasons because it may make or break your chances of moving to Australia and building a career there.
As per the official Australian immigration website, you get 0 points if you’re just competent in English. However, someone who is proficient gets 10 points and a superior rate candidate gets 20 points! 20 points is really high considering the minimum required points is 65!
If you could manage to score 20 points for English proficiency, you will have a great advantage over other candidates. Not only will it help you in your PR application, but would also make your way to finding a great job easier!
Having understood the importance of English proficiency, you must be wondering how you can do well in the English proficiency test. Well, this is an important question to discuss; but before this, there are other pressing questions – what English tests are acceptable by the Australian immigration department & which test should you go for.
Well, Australia accepts IELTS, TOEFL, OET, PTE, and Cambridge C1 Advanced tests to gauge the English proficiency of PR applicants. And there is a minimum expected score that individuals are expected to get. Let’s look at the table below –
| Accepted Tests | Minimum Required Score |
| IELTS | At least 7 for each of the 4 test components |
| TOEFL | At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking |
| OET | At least 65 for each of the 4 test components |
| PTE | At least B for each of the 4 test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | At least 185 in each of the 4 test components |
Now, the question is that there are 5 different acceptable tests, which one should you go ahead with? Well, it is difficult to recommend just one; and also, it wouldn’t be the right way to make this decision.
There are however a couple of parameters which can be considered to make a more informed decision. Those parameters are – format of the tests, fee of the tests, length (duration) of the tests, mutual comparison of each component of the tests, score of the tests, English type followed, number of centers in India, and wait time to get the result.
Let’s first look at the format of the different exams –
| TOEFL | PTE | OET | IELTS | CC1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer based | Computer based | Both paper based and computer based | Both paper based and computer based | Both paper based and computer based |
So, if you’re someone who is not very comfortable with computer based tests, you can go for the ones that have a paper based option available.
Let’s talk about fee charged for the different tests –
| TOEFL | PTE | OET | IELTS | CC1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 16,900/- | Rs 15,900/- | Rs ~ 31095/- (AU$ 587/-) | Computer based- 16,500/- Pen & paper – 16,250/- | Rs ~9000*/- |
When you look at the fee, you would find the Cambridge C1 Advanced English test the most attractive option. I would also like to clarify that the fee is not mentioned on the website; I had to call the Cambridge Agency in India to get the fee. She mentioned the fee to be tentative.
Well, the next parameter is the length of the test – how long you will have to sit for the test on the test day?
| TOEFL | PTE | OET | IELTS | CC1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~ 4 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours 20 mins | 2 hours 45 mins | ~ 4 hours |
We can see that IELTS is the least lengthy of all the tests!
Concluding this here – when you plan to write an English proficiency test exam, you shouldn’t just choose any or look at just one parameter & then decide. You should carefully examine your options then pick the one that is best suited to you.
We have continued the discussion. Check out part two of the article for more information – here.
If you’re also a pharmacist aspiring to build your career in Australia, then sign up here & we will help you realise your dream!
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