UPDATE: This article was originally posted on May 14, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

If you’ve started the MBA application process, you know just how competitive it is to land a spot at one of the world’s top business school programs. 

Harvard Business School, for example, receives around 10,000 applications for just 938 spots in its highly-coveted MBA program. This means that all aspects of your profile must be as strong as possible when you send in your application. 

Undoubtedly, one of the main factors that contributes to your profile’s competitiveness if you are an international student is your English proficiency test score. What’s often less clear to applicants, however, is which test – TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, and more – is best for their application.  

The short answer is that there is no short answer to the question! Rather, there are a number of factors you should take into consideration when determining which test is better for your application strategy. Keep reading to learn more about each test’s unique characteristics, as well as the pros and cons you should consider. 

What is MBA language testing all about?

Language testing is a way for English-language MBA programs around the world to test the English levels of international applicants in order to ensure that candidates are capable of using the English language at a high enough level to participate in the program.

It might seem a little unfair, until you stop to think about it. One of the greatest things about the MBA is all of the group projects you will work on and all of the amazing class discussions you will have. 

These unique aspects of the MBA program will allow you to learn from the experiences of your future business school’s diverse community. However, if you aren’t able to speak English fluently, it is very difficult for you to really make the most of the program. Language testing “pre-screens” students to ensure this doesn’t happen.

What MBA language tests fulfill this requirement?

There are three MBA primary tests that can be taken to fulfill this requirement. These are:

• TOEFL

• IELTS

• PTE

Each test has a unique format, so it’s important to understand how each works to choose the test that works best for you.

TOEFL — TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL is perhaps the most “famous” or “traditional” language test out there. The test is offered in two formats, internet-based and paper-based. It is primarily an American English test, though more diverse accents have been added in recent years.

The TOEFL iBT (internet-based) test is taken by 97% of test-takers, and, in most locations, is the only option available when you register for the TOEFL. This version consists of 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Test takers are given a score out of 30 for each section, leading to a final score out of 120. The test lasts about 4.5 hours, and you receive your results in around 10 business days. The fee for the test varies based on your location. 

Check out this link if you have specific questions about the iBT test, or want to learn more about how to register for the test.

The TOEFL PBT test is only offered in locations where the TOEFL iBT is not offered, due to internet connectivity issues. This version also consists of three mandatory sections: Reading, Listening, and Structure/Expression. You may also add the option of the writing test. The test is scored between 310–677 points, and the results take 5 weeks to receive. This version of the test costs $185. 

If you would like more information about the PBT test, please visit this link. 

IELTS — IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The IELTS is commonly thought of as the “British” language test, and with good reason. The IELTS is administered by the British Council, primarily using speakers with British accents, though you do not need to speak with a British accent to get a good score on this test.

There are two versions of the test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. For the MBA, you should take the Academic version of the test.

The IELTS Academic test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections must all be completed on the same day in the same test session. Depending on the location, the Speaking section may be administered on a different day, but this must occur within 7 days of the other test session.

Each section of the IELTS Academic test is scored on a scale of 1 to 9, which is transformed into an overall score ranging from 1 to 9. Scores are released 13 days after you take the test. 

The cost of the test varies based on location.

For additional information about the IELTS test, please visit their site here. 

PTE Academic — PTE stands for Pearson Tests of English. It is a relatively new test designed to measure your English skills in a faster and more “practical” manner. The test also consists of three sections: Speaking & Writing, Listening, and Reading. The test must be taken on a single day. The test lasts between 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours. Each section of the test is scored on a scale of 10–90, and you will receive an overall scale ranging between 10–90. Scores are released within 5 days of taking the test. For the MBA, you should take the Academic version of the test.

The cost of the test varies based on location.

For more information about the PTE test, please visit their site. 

Additional testing options

In addition to the PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS, a few select schools, like Babson College, are accepting the DuoLingo English Test. Though this test is online and much less expensive than other tests, few universities accept it. As such, we recommend verifying your target school’s specific requirements before signing up! 

Do the business schools prefer one test over another? Which one should I choose?

Nowadays, most top business schools accept PTE, TOEFL and IELTs and do not prefer one test over the other. 

Notable exceptions are that Wharton does not accept IELTS and Kellogg does not accept PTE. As such, if you are planning to apply to one of these schools and to other programs, TOEFL may be the best option. 

A note on COVID-19

With COVID-19 leading to lockdowns around the world, many test centers have closed. As such, if test centers are closed in your area, you should opt to take the TOEFL Home Edition (an online version of the TOEFL test). At present, PTE does not have an online test and the IELTS online test (the IELTS Indicator) is not accepted by the majority of programs. 

When deciding to take the test, it’s important to consider a few key factors.

If you’re not restricted by COVID-related test center closures, choosing which test to take can be more complicated. 

First, how much time do you have? If you are taking the test last minute, it might be a good idea to take the PTE, as you will receive your scores faster than any other test. 

As with all tests, you need to take the test before the MBA deadlines, but do not need to have received your scores before the deadline. However, if you think there is a chance you might need to retake the test or want to make sure to see your score before sending it in your application, you might want to opt for faster results.

Second, are you used to different accents? Though the TOEFL is trying to add a larger diversity of accents, it still tends to be mostly an American accent test, and IELTS tends to be mostly a British accent test, whereas the PTE tends to mix accents the most. If you find you don’t do well with understanding a particular accent in English, choose a test that does not use this accent.

Third, do you prefer to have your speaking tested in person or via computer? One of the most important factors for many of our clients is the fact that they feel much more comfortable having their speaking tested in person. If this describes you, you’re best off taking the IELTS test, which conducts its speaking section in person.

Fourth, do you prefer a more practical test? Having spoken with countless clients and students about their experiences on all of the tests, it is my strong belief that the IELTS and PTE tests are much more practical in their approach to testing your skills. Whereas the TOEFL often tests speaking by playing a 3-minute talk on cave systems and then asking test-takers to speak about the details presented about cave systems, the IELTS and PTE tend to focus much more on the way you actually use English in your day to day life. If you struggle with speaking, you may want to avoid TOEFL.

Who is required to take these language tests?

Language tests are required for all applicants from non-English speaking countries.

If you attended an English-language university or lived in an English speaking country for more than 2 years, you probably do not need to take a language test. 

Check with your particular programs of interest for specific details. You can always reach out to your target school via email to ask if you would be required to take a language test, based on your situation. 

Doesn’t my GMAT or GRE Verbal score show the admissions committee I can speak English well enough?

Unfortunately no. The GMAT or GRE Verbal section is not designed to test your English language skills but is more designed to test your logic and critical thinking skills. Though you do need strong English skills to score well on the GMAT or GRE Verbal section, this is not enough to substitute language testing.

Do the business schools prefer one test over another?

No. As long as you meet a school’s minimum score requirements, your application will be considered complete.

What are the minimum score requirements for the business school I am interested in?

This varies greatly, but with a few exceptions, a good rule of thumb is that business schools like to see scores above 105 for TOEFL, above 7.5 for IELTS, and above 72 for PTE. 

There are a few schools with very firm minimum scores (INSEAD and Harvard Business School, to name a few), so it’s always a good idea to visit the website of the program you’re interested in for specific testing requirements. 

How long should I plan to study for the test?

This depends greatly on which test you are taking and your English language abilities, ranging from a week to a few months.

I feel that, based on our experience with numerous international applicants, TOEFL and IELTS require more preparation than PTE, since the scoring systems are more complex and the tasks you are required to complete are not always intuitive.

In terms of preparation, If you speak English fluently, you won’t need as much time to prepare. If you feel your English is not yet fluent, it is a good idea to invest in private English lessons or a test preparation course to improve your skills before the test.

Regardless, make sure you invest time into understanding how the test works, what is included in each of the sections, and how you score points on the test. Even a native English speaker can receive a relatively low score simply for not knowing the “rules” of the test.

Do I need private tutoring?

This depends greatly on you and how you like to learn. Many of our clients will do a 1-week intensive preparation course with a private teacher to make sure they perform their best on test day. 

We have an equal number of clients who prepare on their own and score well. If you need help improving your English skills or need someone to help structure your study plan, private tutoring could be a good idea for you.

Will it look bad if I take one test multiple times or if I try different language tests?

 In a word, no! 

Not everyone performs at their best on test day. 

The admissions committee will appreciate your dedication and commitment to improvement when you take the test multiple times to increase your score. If your target school has a minimum score, we recommend continuing your testing until you meet this minimum score. 

Don’t give up until you get the result you want!

Set the appropriate strategy for your profile

During the MBA application process, you will need to make thousands of decisions that will impact your life for decades to come. 

One of the most important decisions is how to navigate the language requirement aspect of your MBA application. 

Though you may be tempted just to hope for the best, having a trusted ally who can use their deep knowledge of your profile and what different business schools look for can be the difference between getting into your dream MBA program and wishing you’d done everything differently. 

But perhaps you’re not even quite sure what programs you want to target! 

Many of our clients come to us with a general idea of what they want out of an MBA but lack specifics. 

Our application coaches step in at this point to help you define what you want out of your career, create concrete short-term and long-term goals for this career path, identify which business schools can best help you turn these dreams into reality, and help you develop a solid test-taking strategy to back it all up. 

If you’d like to start putting the Ellin Lolis Advantage to work for you right from the very start, get in touch to schedule your free consultation today!