If you landed on our exam enrollment page and you're not completely sure which exam applies to you, this article is written for you. This is one of the most common questions we get at CTS Consult, and it's a fair one, because nobody ever really explains it clearly.

By the time you finish reading this, you'll know exactly which exam you need, why you need it, and what score to aim for. Let's get into it.

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If you just want the short version, here it is:

Studying in the UK: you need IELTS Academic.

Studying in Canada: you need IELTS Academic.

Migrating to Canada (PR, Express Entry, PNP): you need IELTS General Training.

Applying to a US university as an undergraduate student: you need the SAT, and likely IELTS or TOEFL on top.

Applying for a master's degree or PhD anywhere: you likely need GRE, and either IELTS or TOEFL separately.

Studying in Australia, New Zealand, or most of Europe: you need IELTS Academic.

If your situation fits clearly into one of those, you have your answer. If you want to understand why or if your situation is more complicated, keep reading.

What Each Exam Actually Is

IELTS — International English Language Testing System

IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test in the world. Universities, immigration authorities, and professional bodies in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries all recognize it. It tests your reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English, and it is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9.

The important thing to know is that IELTS comes in two versions, and they are not interchangeable. IELTS Academic is for students applying to universities and colleges. IELTS General Training is for people applying for work visas, permanent residency, or immigration pathways and it is not accepted for university admissions. If you are applying to study, you need Academic. If you are applying to migrate, you need General Training. Many people confuse these, especially those who are trying to do both: study in Canada now, with a plan to get PR later. Those are two separate tests, and you will need to write both at different points in your journey.

Most universities require an IELTS score between 6.0 and 7.5 overall, depending on the programme. For Canadian PR through Express Entry, IRCC typically requires a CLB 7 equivalent, which corresponds to around an IELTS 6.0 in each band. For the UK Student visa, most universities require at least 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5.

If you are not sure which English test to take and your target is the UK, Canada, or Australia, always go with IELTS. It is the safest, most universally accepted choice.

TOEFL — Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL is the primary English language test used in the United States. It tests the same four skills as IELTS (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) but it is fully computer-based and focuses specifically on academic English in a university context. It is scored from 0 to 120, and most US universities require a score between 80 and 100, with top programmes expecting 100 and above.

The key thing to understand about TOEFL is where it is and is not accepted. Most US and many Canadian universities accept it. Australian universities generally prefer IELTS. UK universities sometimes accept TOEFL but IELTS is still the standard and some UK institutions do not accept TOEFL at all. Most importantly, TOEFL is not accepted for Canadian PR applications through IRCC. If you are planning to migrate to Canada, TOEFL will not work for your immigration paperwork regardless of your score.

Choose TOEFL if you are specifically targeting US universities and those institutions have TOEFL listed as a requirement. If you are applying to a mix of destinations or you are not sure, IELTS covers more ground.

GRE — Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is not an English test. This is the most important thing to say about it up front, because many people do not realise this. The GRE is an aptitude test for graduate school admissions, specifically for master's degrees and PhDs. It tests your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing ability, and it is scored from 260 to 340 for the verbal and quantitative sections combined, with a separate analytical writing score from 0 to 6. Competitive graduate programmes typically expect a combined score of around 310 to 330, depending on the field.

Because GRE tests aptitude rather than English proficiency, many graduate programmes require both GRE and an English test like IELTS or TOEFL. They serve different purposes. Your English test proves you can communicate in the language. Your GRE proves you have the academic ability for postgraduate study. This surprises a lot of Nigerian applicants who expect one exam to cover both.

It is also worth knowing that some graduate programmes, particularly in business, have moved away from requiring GRE. Business schools typically use the GMAT instead. Always check the specific requirements of your programme before registering for any exam.

If you are applying for a master's degree or PhD and GRE is listed as a requirement, you need to take it. If the programme says GRE is optional, a strong score still strengthens your application. A missing score where one is optional rarely helps you.

SAT — Scholastic Assessment Test

The SAT is a standardised test for undergraduate admissions in the United States. It tests college readiness across Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics, and it is scored from 400 to 1600. A score of 1200 and above is generally competitive for standard US universities, while top schools like Ivy League institutions expect 1450 and above. Your target depends entirely on the specific schools you are applying to, so research your shortlist before you set your score goal.

The SAT went fully digital in 2024, so if you have been reading older guides that describe it as a paper test, the format has changed. It is now shorter and adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on how you are doing. The preparation strategy and score targets remain broadly similar, but practice on the digital platform is essential.

If you are a secondary school student applying to US universities as an undergraduate, you will almost certainly need the SAT. You may also be required to submit an English language test score separately, because the SAT does not serve as proof of English proficiency for international applicants. This means SAT plus IELTS or TOEFL is a common combination for Nigerian students targeting the US.

Not sure which of these applies to your situation? Our team reviews your profile and tells you exactly which exam you need, when to take it, and what score to aim for. Register Your Exam Through CTS

The Combinations That Catch People Off Guard

A lot of the confusion we see at CTS does not come from people not knowing what IELTS is. It comes from not realising that some situations require more than one exam, or that the same exam has different versions for different purposes. Here are the most common situations that trip people up.

Studying in Canada now, getting PR later

These require different versions of IELTS. For university admission, you need IELTS Academic. For Canadian PR through Express Entry later, you need IELTS General Training. They are separate tests and your Academic score cannot be submitted for immigration purposes. If you are planning both, you will write IELTS at least twice over the course of your journey. Plan for this early so it does not surprise you when the time comes.

Applying for a master's degree in the US

You will most likely need both GRE and TOEFL, or both GRE and IELTS. GRE is for admission. TOEFL or IELTS is for English proficiency. They test completely different things and both are typically required. Give yourself enough time to prepare for and write both, because it is difficult to prepare well for both exams simultaneously. Most people tackle one at a time, at least a month or two apart.

Applying to the US as an undergraduate

You need the SAT for admissions, plus IELTS or TOEFL for English proficiency. These are separate requirements for separate purposes. Some US colleges waive the English test requirement if you completed your secondary education in English, but many still require it for Nigerian students. Check the specific requirements for each college on your list.

Applying to the UK using TOEFL

Some UK universities accept TOEFL, but IELTS is the standard. A number of UK institutions, including the UK Student visa application itself, require IELTS specifically. Unless you have a strong reason to prefer TOEFL and have confirmed that every institution on your list accepts it, IELTS is the safer choice for UK applications. There is no downside to taking IELTS. There is a significant risk to taking TOEFL without checking first.

How Many Times Can You Take Each Exam?

This matters more than most people realise, because the ability to retake gives you a real strategic advantage if you plan for it.

IELTS: you can take IELTS as many times as you want. There is a three-day minimum between attempts. Most universities accept your most recent or highest score.

TOEFL: you can retake TOEFL every three days with no annual limit. You can also choose which scores to send to universities, which means schools only see the attempt you want them to see.

GRE: you can take GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any 12-month period. ETS also allows score selection, so universities see only the scores you send.

SAT: you can take the SAT as many times as you want. Many competitive US university applicants take it two or three times. Most schools use your highest section scores across all attempts, which is known as superscoring.

The general advice is to plan for at least two attempts, especially for IELTS and SAT. Going into an exam with no backup plan and no time for a retake before your application deadline is a risk you do not need to take.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare?

Every exam on this list rewards preparation. Students who go in without consistent practice consistently underperform relative to their actual ability, not because they are not smart enough, but because the format and time pressure are unfamiliar.

IELTS: four to eight weeks minimum for most candidates. Ten to twelve weeks if you are targeting a band of 7.0 or above.

TOEFL: four to eight weeks. The focus on academic reading and listening means strong readers tend to find it slightly easier to prepare for.

GRE: eight to sixteen weeks. Vocabulary building and quantitative reasoning both require sustained, consistent study over time. You cannot cram for GRE.

SAT: eight to sixteen weeks for a meaningful score improvement. Full-length, timed practice tests are essential and non-negotiable.

CTS Consult runs in-house tutorial programmes for IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and SAT. Our tutors know the specific question types and patterns that appear most frequently in each exam, and they know how to help you reach your target score efficiently. If you are registering through us, you can add tutorials at the same time.

Score Targets — What to Aim For

Here are realistic targets for the most common destinations. These are not the minimums. These are the scores you should be aiming for if you want a genuinely competitive application.

UK universities: IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 overall, with no band below 6.0 for most programmes. Competitive postgraduate programmes at Russell Group universities often expect 7.0 or higher.

Canadian universities: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 is the standard. Some programmes require 7.0.

Canadian PR (Express Entry): IELTS General Training, CLB 7 equivalent, which is roughly 6.0 in each band. A higher score increases your Comprehensive Ranking System points and improves your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

US universities (undergraduate): SAT 1200 to 1400 for most schools. 1450 and above for selective institutions. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 as a floor for English proficiency.

US graduate programmes: GRE combined 310 to 320 for most programmes, 325 and above for highly competitive programmes. TOEFL 90 to 100, or IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 for English proficiency.

Australian universities: IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 depending on the programme. Nursing, teaching, and medicine typically require 7.0 in all four bands.

Always check the specific requirements of your chosen institution and programme directly, as requirements vary even within the same university. The numbers above are a useful starting point, not a substitute for doing that check.

The Bottom Line

The exam you need depends on where you are going and what you are applying for. IELTS is the most versatile option and the right default choice for most Nigerian students. TOEFL makes sense if your target is specifically the US and your chosen institutions accept it. GRE is required for graduate school admissions and is separate from any English test. SAT is for undergraduate admissions in the US.

The biggest mistakes we see at CTS are taking the wrong version of IELTS, assuming one exam covers everything when two are required, and leaving too little time to retake before an application deadline. Knowing this in advance puts you ahead of most applicants.

If you are still not 100 percent sure what applies to your specific situation, that is exactly what our team is here for. We look at your profile, your target institutions, and your timeline, and we tell you exactly what you need and when to write it.

Ready to register? Select your exam on the Exam Enrollment page and let CTS handle the rest — registration, briefing, and tutorials if you need them. Go Back to Exam Enrollment