United States

English Tests for the United States: University, Work and Citizenship

In the US, the English test you need depends on your goal: college admission, a healthcare credential, or the naturalization interview. Here is which test fits each one, with links to free practice.

University and study abroad

TOEFLThe ETS TOEFL family: TOEFL iBT for university, TOEFL Essentials at home, TOEFL Junior and TOEFL Primary for school students, with instant scores and model answers.

TOEFL iBTTOEFL Essentials

15 practice tests

Duolingo English TestAn online test that many US colleges accept for admission.10 practice tests IELTS AcademicIELTS Academic is widely accepted by US universities as an alternative to TOEFL.18 practice tests PTE AcademicAccepted by many US universities and listed for VisaScreen healthcare certification.10 practice tests

SAT and PSATCollege Board's SAT Suite: the digital SAT and the three PSATs (PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9), with adaptive Reading and Writing and Math modules and explanations.

SATPSAT/NMSQT

16 practice tests

ACT English & ReadingCollege admission test; its English and Reading sections test grammar and reading.10 practice tests C1 Advanced (CAE)C1 Advanced is accepted by some US universities and for VisaScreen.10 practice tests C2 Proficiency (CPE)C2 Proficiency, the top Cambridge level, is on the VisaScreen list and accepted by some universities.10 practice tests ACCUPLACER ESLThe ESL placement test many community colleges use to place new students in the right English course; it is not an admission test.10 practice tests Michigan English Test (MET)A multilevel test (A2–C1) that some US colleges, universities and employers accept; check with the institution first.4 practice tests

AP English (Language and Literature)AP English Language and AP English Literature: full digital-format practice tests with multiple choice, three essays, scored samples and a 1-5 estimate.

AP English Language and CompositionAP English Literature and Composition

13 practice tests

GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsThe language arts test of the GED, the best-known US high school equivalency credential.10 practice tests

Praxis CorePraxis Core Reading (5713) and Writing (5723): the academic skills tests for future teachers in many US states.

Praxis Core Reading (5713)Praxis Core Writing (5723)

20 practice tests

Citizenship

US Citizenship Test (Naturalization)The English (reading, writing, speaking) and civics parts of the USCIS naturalization interview.10 practice tests

Work and careers

Praxis CorePraxis Core Reading (5713) and Writing (5723): the academic skills tests for future teachers in many US states.

Praxis Core Reading (5713)Praxis Core Writing (5723)

20 practice tests

GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsThe language arts test of the GED, the best-known US high school equivalency credential.10 practice tests

Healthcare professionals

OET (Occupational English Test)OET Medicine is required for ECFMG certification of international medical graduates; OET is also accepted for VisaScreen.10 practice tests TOEFL iBTThe test US colleges ask for most often; since January 2026 it uses a new format and a 1–6 score scale.10 practice tests IELTS AcademicIELTS Academic is widely accepted by US universities as an alternative to TOEFL.18 practice tests PTE AcademicAccepted by many US universities and listed for VisaScreen healthcare certification.10 practice tests C1 Advanced (CAE)C1 Advanced is accepted by some US universities and for VisaScreen.10 practice tests C2 Proficiency (CPE)C2 Proficiency, the top Cambridge level, is on the VisaScreen list and accepted by some universities.10 practice tests B2 First (FCE)B2 First is one of the tests listed for VisaScreen healthcare certification.10 practice tests

School and young learners

TOEFL JuniorSome US boarding and private schools ask international students for it.10 practice tests

SAT and PSATCollege Board's SAT Suite: the digital SAT and the three PSATs (PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9), with adaptive Reading and Writing and Math modules and explanations.

PSAT/NMSQTPSAT 10PSAT 8/9

18 practice tests

AP English (Language and Literature)AP English Language and AP English Literature: full digital-format practice tests with multiple choice, three essays, scored samples and a 1-5 estimate.

AP English Language and CompositionAP English Literature and Composition

13 practice tests

GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsThe language arts test of the GED, the best-known US high school equivalency credential.10 practice tests ACCUPLACER ESLThe ESL placement test many community colleges use to place new students in the right English course; it is not an admission test.10 practice tests

WIDA ACCESSWIDA ACCESS (US schools): practice tests for Kindergarten and every grade cluster to Grade 12, in all four domains.

KindergartenGrade 1Grades 2–3Grades 4–5Grades 6–8Grades 9–12

36 practice tests

ELPACELPAC (California) — practice tests for all seven grade spans, from kindergarten to grade 12: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

KindergartenGrade 1Grade 2Grades 3–5Grades 6–8Grades 9–10Grades 11–12

28 practice tests

TELPASTELPAS (Texas) — practice for English learners in grades 2–12: listening and speaking, reading and writing, in the online test format.

Listening & Speaking 2–3Listening & Speaking 4–5Listening & Speaking 6–8Listening & Speaking 9–12Reading & Writing 2Reading & Writing 3Reading & Writing 4–5Reading & Writing 6–7Reading & Writing 8–9Reading & Writing 10–12

40 practice tests

Getting into a US college or university

The US government does not name one English test for student visas. Each college chooses which tests it accepts and what score it wants, and your school confirms your English level on the documents it issues for your visa.

TOEFL iBT is the most familiar test at US admissions offices. The new version launched in January 2026 with adaptive Reading and Listening and a 1–6 band score; during a transition period ETS also reports a comparable 0–120 score.
IELTS Academic, the Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic are also widely accepted. Always check the exact test and minimum score on your college's admissions page.
SAT and ACT are general admission tests, not English proficiency tests. Some colleges require them and some do not. Our practice covers the full digital SAT (Reading and Writing, and Math) and the ACT English and Reading sections.

US citizenship: the naturalization test

At your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer checks your English (reading, writing and speaking) and your knowledge of US history and government.

If you filed Form N-400 on or after 20 October 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: the officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct answers to pass. If you filed earlier, you take the 2008 version.
Under the 65/20 special consideration (age 65 or older with at least 20 years as a permanent resident), you study a smaller set of marked questions, you are asked 10 and need 6 correct, and you may take the civics test in your own language.
The 50/20 and 55/15 exemptions remove the English requirement, but you still take the civics test, with an interpreter if you need one.

Our US Citizenship Test practice follows the current USCIS question lists, and marks the 65/20 questions.

Nurses, doctors and other health workers

Many foreign-educated health workers need a VisaScreen certificate from TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) before they can get a US work visa. The accepted English tests are Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, the Michigan English Test, OET and PTE Academic. At-home versions are not accepted, and minimum scores depend on your profession. HRSA updated the accepted tests and scores on 12 May 2026, and TOEIC is no longer accepted.

International medical graduates need ECFMG certification, which uses OET Medicine as its English requirement.

Working in the US

Most US work visas do not require a set English test. Your employer decides what English level the job needs. Healthcare is the main exception (see above). If you want a score to show employers, TOEFL iBT or IELTS results are widely recognised.

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English tests for the United States — frequently asked questions

Do I need an English test for a US student visa?

There is no single government test. Your college decides which tests and scores it accepts. Once you are admitted, it records that you meet its English requirement on the documents you use to apply for the visa.

Which is better for US admission, TOEFL or the Duolingo English Test?

TOEFL iBT is accepted by more US colleges. The Duolingo English Test is shorter and taken online. Check each college's list before booking, because a few accept only TOEFL or IELTS.

How many questions are on the US civics test?

If you filed on or after 20 October 2025, the officer asks up to 20 questions from the 128-question list and you must answer 12 correctly. Applicants who qualify for 65/20 are asked 10 questions from a smaller list and need 6 correct.

Who can skip the English part of the naturalization test?

Applicants who are 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, 55 or older with 15 years, or 65 or older with 20 years. They still take the civics test, which they can take in their own language.

Did the 2026 TOEFL changes affect my old scores?

TOEFL scores stay valid for two years. Since January 2026, new score reports show a 1–6 band score and, for a transition period, a comparable 0–120 score. Colleges publish which scale they use.

English tests in other countries

Australia · Canada · United Kingdom

Sources checked for this guide

This guide was checked in September 2026. Rules and accepted tests change, and each university, employer and government office sets its own requirements, so always confirm with them before you book a test. 7ESL is not affiliated with any exam board or government agency; the practice tests are original 7ESL material in the public format of each exam.