IELTS, TestDaF, JLPT: 8 of the world’s most used language proficiency tests

When learning a language, many don’t think about the language proficiency tests that loom on the horizon.

For many, these tests are simply another to-do box to check off for university applications.

But there’s more to earning a certification than just that. 

It’s common knowledge that being adept at more languages is a stellar career skill. You’re opening yourself up to different experiences — the more global your network, the bigger the opportunities that’ll come within your reach.

Of course, it’s not something you want to lie about on your CV, either. Foreign language fluency is the second worst lie that applicants write on their CV, a survey of 2,000 hiring manager reports. 

So here’s where language proficiency tests come in. According to Forbes, 40% of multilingual employees credited language skills for their hiring, earning 19% higher than those who couldn’t speak more than one.

In a landscape where employers are sceptical about truth, a language proficiency test can verify the skill they seek. 

But it’s understandable if you’re hesitant—it’s an added cost and a time loss. You may be asking yourself, “Is it worth the extra effort?”

Is taking a language proficiency test worth it?

While language proficiency tests are key in a student’s study abroad journey, they are not without controversy.

A big concern is the “washback effect” — teachers and students would rather focus on strategies to “beat the test” rather than build a genuine connection with the language.

Still, the pros might outweigh the cons. 

First, if you want to study abroad, many universities require proof of language proficiency as part of their admissions process. This is applicable almost anywhere in the world, from the West to the East.

A second and less-known fact about taking a language proficiency test is that certain universities will reward you for your efforts in earning your certifications.

South Korean universities, in particular, allow you to skip the compulsory year of language learning if you’ve already proven your proficiency. You might even get a scholarship for your hard work too.

Third, and possibly the most common, is that having a language certification can set you apart. In a global job market, multilingual candidates have a big advantage, and that piece of paper might just be your ticket to international career opportunities.

8 language proficiency tests from around the world

Note: The fees for the language proficiency tests below are specific to the US. The cost of these tests varies depending on currency and country.

English

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most widely accepted language proficiency test for English, recognised by over 12,000 institutions in more than 140 countries. It’s facilitated by the British Council, in partnership with the International Development Programme (IDP) Education and Cambridge English.

The test is designed to mimic day-to-day life and work in an English-speaking country and will cost you anywhere between US$280 to US$340. 

The type of IELTS test depends on your needs.

If you’re a student applying to study in an English-speaking country), go for the IELTS Academic. If you’re migrating to work in one, then you’d want to go for the IELTS General Training. Looking for a UK visa, whether you’re studying or settling? Check out the IELTS for UKVI Academic and General and Training.

You’ll be assessed in four sections: listening (30 minutes), reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), and speaking (11 to 14 minutes). Regardless of whether you take the test online or in person, the speaking portion always takes place face-to-face. 

Each section is weighed on the nine-band system separately, and then the average score is calculated from those four individual scores:

• 9 – Expert user
• 8 – Very good user
• 7 – Good user
• 6 – Competent user
• 5 – Modest user
• 4 – Limited user
• 3 – Extremely limited user
• 2 – Intermittent user
• 1 – Non-user
• 0 – Did not attempt the test

The scores are valid for up to two years. If you’re going to apply to university, you’d first want to check the minimum language proficiency test score that they accept. Lots of universities need an average score of at least 6.5, but top names like Harvard University, the University of Oxford, so forth — they’re looking for a range of 7.0 to 7.5.

If English isn’t your first language though, don’t worry. The British Council has plenty of resources to help you ace the test, and there’s official; textbooks to get you up to speed.

Chinese

If you’re applying to a university in China, the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (the “Chinese Proficiency Test”) is a must unless the programme is taught in English.

But there are many reasons to sit for this language proficiency test: it’s needed for a study or working visa to China, it’s an excellent resume boost, and it can increase your overall probability of receiving a scholarship at university.

There are six different levels of HSK tests. The one you’ll take depends on what you need and where your proficiency in Chinese — the simplified kind — is.

• HSK Level 1 & 2 (Beginner)
• HSK Level 3 & 4 (Intermediate)
• HSK Level 5 & 6 (Advanced)

As a bachelor’s student, you should aim to pass a level four test. If you’re going into your master’s, shoot for level five. Levels five and six also cater to professional roles.

The tests cover three areas: reading, listening, and writing. The speaking portion comes in a separate test called the Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi (the “Chinese Speaking Test”). Since 2023, test takers who are level three and above must take both tests together, and the HSKK is also required in many university applications.

For study preparation, this Reddit user said, “Some of the best ways to prepare for the HSK exam are practising with past exam materials and memorising the HSK vocabulary words for the HSK level you want to pass. You can download some old tests here.”

Depending on your level, the HSK tests range from $35 to $75 to undergo and can be taken on paper or on the computer at a test centre. You’ll need a score of at least 180 out of 300 to pass, and when you do, the results will be valid for up to two years. For HSKK exams, you’ll need to score at least 60 out of 100 marks to pass.

Korean

The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is an “event” you’re going to have to keep your eyes out for, because it’s only held six times a year. It’s held in South Korea only in January, May, and November, then in South Korea and overseas in April, July, and October. 

As mentioned before, holding a TOPIK is a scholarship booster. The Changwon National University offers scholarships to cover the full tuition fees to students who’ve achieved a particular level—that is, level five or higher for new undergraduates or level four or higher for postgraduates.

To put it all into context, TOPIK comprises two levels and six sub-levels.

You can either choose TOPIK I, which focuses on reading and learning, or TOPIK II, which has listening, reading, writing, and speaking. TOPIK II’s a little more expensive in range too, at US$30 to US$5O, while the TOPIK I lands between US$20 to US$30.

You’ll earn your sub-level when your scores are out, after the test. TOPIK I takers will receive either a level one or two, the beginner levels, and TOPIK II takers attain a level three to six, the intermediate and advanced levels.

Check out how this Indonesian student got her TOPIK 6 — the highest level possible — in just four months.

Japanese

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the world’s leading Japanese proficiency test among non-native speakers, with approximately 610,000 candidates from 62 countries.

It evaluates practical communication skills, focusing on language knowledge, reading, and listening abilities.

The test’s five levels, N1 to N5, cater to diverse learning stages. N1 and N2 gauge more advanced, everyday Japanese, while N4 and N5 cover basic Japanese. Most universities require students to pass at least N2 of the exam.

The fees for this language proficiency test vary by level, with N1 costing US$109, N2 at US$91, N3 at US$72, N4 at US$59, and N5 at US$45.

To pass, you must achieve an overall pass mark and a minimum score in each section; if any section score falls short, you will not pass, regardless of your total score.

On the plus side, the JLPT certificate is valid indefinitely. And passing it is not as impossible as it seems.

Amirul Harith, a Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University graduate, was able to pass the N1 test on his first try.

“I tried to do at least one mock test a day and would increase the amount of practice I was doing as I got closer to the exam,” he says. “This helped me get used to the exam structure and prepare for it.”

French

The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) is a French language proficiency test created by France Education International (FEI) and endorsed by the French Ministry of Education.

Valid for two years, the test allows non-native French speakers to certify their speaking, writing, and comprehension skills for professional and personal purposes. French universities also accept it for graduate applications.

The TCF includes three required multiple-choice sections — listening, grammar, and reading — plus two optional written and verbal skills sections.

Candidates are evaluated across six proficiency levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

• A1: 101-199 points
• A2: 200-299 points
• B1: 300-399 points
• B2: 400-499 points
• C1: 500-599 points
• C2: 600-699 points

Various versions of the TCF exist, including TCF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité, TCF Québec, and TCF Canada, each catering to different certification needs.

The language proficiency test can be taken year-round at approved centres, which provide information on registration, materials, and fees.

Italian

If you’re thinking about studying, working, or living in Italy, the Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri (PLIDA) language proficiency test is right for you.

Similar to the TCF, its standards are aligned with CEFR. Likewise, exam fees vary according to level:

• A1 and A2: US$85 to US$127
• B1 and B2: US$106 to US$170
• C1 and C2: US$159 to US$212

From listening, reading, writing, and speaking, this language proficiency test ensures well-rounded competence in Italian, from understanding conversations and media to writing essays and holding discussions.

It does not have an expiration date, and you can take the exam anywhere in the world; it is held in 300+ centres across 60 countries.

German

Developed by the Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development (g.a.s.t.) and the Goethe Institute, Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF) is one of the most recognised German language proficiency tests for international students.

It is widely accepted by all German universities, with a minimum requirement of TDN 4 in each section for admission (TDN 5 is the highest score, and TDN 3 is the lowest).

You can take this language proficiency test in two ways: digital and paper.

The digital TestDaF is carried out on a computer in g.a.s.t. online test centres and consists of four parts: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

The paper TestDaF follows a similar format but includes breaks between sections. You’ll receive printed exercise books for all parts of the exam.

TestDaF certification is valid indefinitely. However, fees vary by location, ranging between US$159 and US$212, so make sure you check with your test centre before registering.

Spanish

Since 2002, the Instituto Cervantes — a public institution that helps teach the Spanish language — has been facilitating the Diplomas de Español Lengua Extranjera (DELE). It’s now offered in more than 1000 centres worldwide.

The cost of the exam depends on which level you take, ranging from US$110 to US$185.

These levels are based on the CEFR for languages, with A1 being the most beginner level and C2 being the most advanced. Each level you work towards presents a different challenge. To pass, you need a minimum score of 60 out of 100.

• A1 & A2 – tests language in basic, everyday situations 
• B1 & B2 – tests language use in travelling situations, and with writing
• C1 & C2 – tests language in many social situations, and ability to make an argument 

Each level puts you through the wringer of reading, writing, listening and oral assessments. If you want to get into university, you’d need to take a level B1 or B2 test. People may take the test to apply for jobs in Spanish-speaking countries and attain a visa.