The marking and scoring system of all three tests differs slightly. Students must carefully choose a test that suits their practice, preparation, and performance style. English-speaking institutions worldwide have predefined criteria for English language proficiency for international students. While most universities accept scores from one or more of these tests, the final decision on which tests are accepted depends on the specific institution.

Students should familiarize themselves with the admission requirements of their chosen institution before finalizing an English language test. In some cases, score comparisons of these tests are necessary for admission. Many institutions request equivalent scores for IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, even if a student has taken only one test. ETS, the creators of TOEFL, provide tools for comparing TOEFL iBT scores with IELTS and CEFR. Likewise, Pearson Inc., the owner of PTE Academic, offers a score comparison tool for PTE alongside IELTS and TOEFL.