Test preparation in Nepal
Every test a Nepali student might need to study abroad, with what it costs, what it looks like on the day, and which destinations actually ask for it. Pick the country first: the test follows from it, not the other way round.
15
Tests covered
14
Countries you can target
1
Free prep courses
Rs 2,500–Rs 61,000
Test fee range (NPR)
53+
Institutes running prep
Compare every test
All 15 tests Nepali students take, side by side. Fees are indicative NPR from Nepal.
| Test | Type | Score range | Fee (NPR) | Valid for | Classes in Nepal | Accepted in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS International English Language Testing System | English proficiency | Band 0–9 | Rs 30,000 | 2 yrs | 9 | 🇦🇺🇨🇦🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇳🇩🇪 +5 |
| PTE Pearson Test of English Academic | English proficiency | 10–90 | Rs 30,000 | 2 yrs | 8 | 🇦🇺🇨🇦🇬🇧🇳🇿 |
| TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language | English proficiency | 0–120 | Rs 27,500 | 2 yrs | 8 | 🇦🇺🇺🇸 |
| DET | English proficiency | 10–160 | Rs 8,700 | 2 yrs | 2 | 🇨🇦🇮🇪 |
| SAT Scholastic Assessment Test | Admission & aptitude | 400–1600 | Rs 14,000 | 5 yrs | 8 | 🇺🇸 |
| GRE Graduate Record Examinations | Admission & aptitude | 260–340 | Rs 30,500 | 5 yrs | 7 | 🇺🇸 |
| GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test | Admission & aptitude | 205–805 | Rs 37,000 | 5 yrs | 4 | |
| ACT American College Testing | Admission & aptitude | 1–36 | Rs 15,500 | 5 yrs | 1 | |
| OET Occupational English Test | Professional registration | Grade A–E | Rs 61,000 | 2 yrs | 3 | |
| CAE Cambridge C1 Advanced | English proficiency | 160–210 | Rs 26,000 | N/A | 3 | |
| JLPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test | Other languages | N5–N1 | Rs 3,000 | N/A | 0 | 🇯🇵 |
| NAT Japanese Language NAT-TEST | Other languages | Level 5–1 | Rs 3,500 | N/A | 0 | 🇯🇵 |
| TOPIK Test of Proficiency in Korean | Other languages | Level 1–6 | Rs 2,500 | 2 yrs | 0 | 🇰🇷 |
| HSK Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi | Other languages | HSK 1–9 | Rs 3,000 | 2 yrs | 0 | 🇨🇳 |
| Goethe Goethe-Zertifikat (German A1–C2) | Other languages | A1–C2 | Rs 14,000 | N/A | 0 | 🇩🇪 |
English tests, head to head
The four English tests Nepali students sit most, compared on format, delivery, result speed and where they shine.
| Test | Format | Where taken | Result time | Speaking | Strong for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Paper or computer | Test centre | 3–13 days | Face to face | UK, AU, NZ, CA |
| PTE Academic | Computer only | Test centre | Usually 2 days | Recorded | AU, NZ, UK, CA |
| TOEFL iBT | Computer | Centre or home | 4–8 days | Recorded | USA, global |
| Duolingo | Online, at home | Any quiet room | 48 hours | Integrated | Growing US/UK |
Score equivalence
Rough conversions between the major English tests. Treat these as a guide only and confirm the exact band or score your university and visa authority ask for.
| IELTS band | PTE score | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 50–57 | 60–78 | 95–100 |
| 6.5 | 58–63 | 79–93 | 105–115 |
| 7.0 | 64–72 | 94–101 | 120–130 |
| 7.5 | 73–78 | 102–109 | 135–145 |
| 8.0 | 79–84 | 110–114 | 150–160 |
Which test for which country
The test you need is set by the destination, not the other way round. This is the usual pattern for Nepali students.
| Country | Main test(s) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL | All three widely accepted for study and the visa. |
| 🇳🇿New Zealand | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL | PTE and IELTS are most common for the student visa. |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo | IELTS most established; many universities also take Duolingo. |
| 🇨🇦Canada | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo | IELTS and CELPIP lead; PTE is now accepted widely. |
| 🇺🇸United States | TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo | TOEFL is the long-standing standard; IELTS and Duolingo accepted by many. |
| 🇩🇪Germany | IELTS, TestDaF / Telc | English-taught programmes want IELTS; German ones want TestDaF. |
| 🇯🇵Japan | JLPT | Japanese proficiency is the gate, usually before admission. |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | TOPIK | Korean proficiency is required for most admits. |
| 🇨🇳China | HSK | Chinese proficiency for Chinese universities. |
Free prep courses
1 tests on Scolar have a free, self-paced prep course you can start today.
Where to take it in Nepal
Centres are concentrated in the Kathmandu valley, with a growing spread to other cities.
Kathmandu
Most IELTS (British Council, IDP), PTE (Pearson) and language test centres.
Pokhara
A growing set of IELTS and PTE centres serving western Nepal.
Chitwan / Bharatpur
IELTS and PTE centres for the central belt.
Butwal
IELTS centres serving the western Terai.
Birgunj
IELTS centres near the border for southern Nepal.
Online
Duolingo is taken from home; much coaching is fully online.
How to choose the right test
Start with the destination, not the test
Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada mostly want IELTS or PTE. The USA leans TOEFL. Japan asks for JLPT, Korea for TOPIK, Germany for TestDaF or IELTS, and China for HSK. Pick the country first and the test follows.
English proficiency vs language tests
English tests prove you can study in English. Language tests (JLPT, TOPIK, TestDaF, HSK) prove you can study in that country’s language. You usually need one or the other, rarely both.
Score validity
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo scores are valid for two years. Cambridge C1 Advanced has no formal expiry. Make sure your score is still valid when you apply and when you lodge the visa.
When to book
Book the test two to three months before your university deadline so a slow result or a retake does not cost you an intake. Speaking and writing are the sections most students underestimate.
Free vs paid preparation
Free online courses exist for IELTS, PTE and others and are enough for many students. Paid classes add structure, timed mock tests and feedback on speaking and writing, the parts you cannot reliably mark yourself.
Where to take it in Nepal
IELTS runs through British Council and IDP, PTE through Pearson centres, and language tests through their respective cultural institutes. Across Nepal, 53+ institutes run prep classes, most of them in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
Your prep timeline
A simple path from deciding the country to sending a valid score with your application.
Confirm and book
Pick the country, confirm its required test, and book a centre date. Seats fill around major intakes.
Build the routine
Daily practice plus a class if you need structure. Work on your weakest section early.
Mock under test conditions
Take timed full mocks weekly. Use the results to get speaking and writing feedback.
Logistics and rest
Check ID rules, centre location and documents. Protect your sleep before the day.
Apply and verify
Send scores to institutions, then confirm the visa authority accepts the same test and score.
Students who booked smart
I almost booked TOEFL because it sounded standard, but my counselor showed Australia prefers PTE and I got results in two days. That speed saved my intake.
Free IELTS material got me to 6.0, but I was stuck on writing. Three mock feedback sessions on speaking and writing pushed me to 7.0.
I did not realise my Duolingo score would not satisfy the visa, only the university. I rechecked both lists before booking and avoided a retake.
Common mistakes to avoid
The errors that cost Nepali students an intake, and the habits that prevent them.
Booking before confirming the requirement
A university and a visa authority can ask for different tests. Confirm both lists for your exact destination first.
Treating speaking and writing as afterthoughts
These are the sections most Nepali students score lowest on, and the ones you cannot mark yourself.
Assuming one score fits every country
A score accepted by a US university may not satisfy a UK or Australian visa. Check per destination.
Take at least three timed mock tests
Timed mocks expose pacing problems that open practice never reveals, especially in reading and listening.
Check score validity against your application date
English scores lapse after two years. Make sure yours is valid when you apply and when you lodge the visa.
Register early, seats fill before intakes
Centres in Kathmandu fill up around May, August and December. Book two to three months ahead.
Glossary of test terms
The acronyms you will meet while planning, decoded in plain language.
IELTS
International English Language Testing System. The most widely accepted English test, with paper and computer formats.
PTE
Pearson Test of English Academic. Fully computer-based, with very fast result turnaround.
TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based. The long-standing US standard.
Duolingo English Test
An online, at-home English test accepted by a growing number of institutions.
GRE
Graduate Record Examinations. Aptitude test for many US and some global masters and PhD programmes.
GMAT
Graduate Management Admission Test. Required for many MBA and business masters programmes.
SAT
Scholastic Assessment Test. US undergraduate admission test.
JLPT
Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Required for most Japanese university admission.
TOPIK
Test of Proficiency in Korean. Required for most South Korean university admission.
HSK
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. The standard Chinese proficiency test for study in China.
TestDaF
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache. German test for admission to German universities.
Band score
The 0–9 scale IELTS uses; other tests use points or scaled scores.
Browse each test
Open a test for its full format, scoring, fees, test centres in Nepal and a free prep course where available.
English proficiency
What a university or a visa officer accepts as proof that you can study in English.
IELTS
Free courseInternational English Language Testing System
The most widely accepted English test for study, work and migration — and the default ask for Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.
- Score
- Band 0–9
- Fee
- Rs 30,000
- Classes
- 9 institutes
PTE
Pearson Test of English Academic
A fully computer-scored English test with fast results — popular with Nepali students applying to Australia and New Zealand.
- Score
- 10–90
- Fee
- Rs 30,000
- Classes
- 8 institutes
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language
The English test most closely associated with US universities, scored out of 120 and delivered online.
- Score
- 0–120
- Fee
- Rs 27,500
- Classes
- 8 institutes
DET
A cheap, one-hour, at-home English test accepted by a growing list of universities — but not by every visa authority.
- Score
- 10–160
- Fee
- Rs 8,700
- Classes
- 2 institutes
CAE
Cambridge C1 Advanced
A Cambridge English qualification at C1 level that never expires.
- Score
- 160–210
- Fee
- Rs 26,000
- Classes
- 3 institutes
Admission & aptitude
Entrance tests that decide admission and, often, scholarship money.
SAT
Scholastic Assessment Test
The standardised undergraduate admission test used by US colleges and by scholarship committees.
- Score
- 400–1600
- Fee
- Rs 14,000
- Classes
- 8 institutes
GRE
Graduate Record Examinations
The graduate admission test for masters and PhD programmes, especially in the US.
- Score
- 260–340
- Fee
- Rs 30,500
- Classes
- 7 institutes
GMAT
Graduate Management Admission Test
The business-school admission test for MBA and management masters programmes.
- Score
- 205–805
- Fee
- Rs 37,000
- Classes
- 4 institutes
ACT
American College Testing
An alternative to the SAT for US undergraduate admission, with a science-reasoning section.
- Score
- 1–36
- Fee
- Rs 15,500
- Classes
- 1 institutes
Other languages
Japanese, Korean, Chinese and German tests that gate their own destinations.
JLPT
Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The Japanese proficiency test graded N5 to N1 — N5 or N4 is the usual bar for a Japanese language school.
- Score
- N5–N1
- Fee
- Rs 3,000
NAT
Japanese Language NAT-TEST
An alternative Japanese proficiency test held far more often than JLPT, and widely accepted by language schools.
- Score
- Level 5–1
- Fee
- Rs 3,500
TOPIK
Test of Proficiency in Korean
The Korean proficiency test used for university admission in Korea — distinct from the EPS-TOPIK used for employment.
- Score
- Level 1–6
- Fee
- Rs 2,500
HSK
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi
The standardised Chinese proficiency test, required for Chinese-taught degrees and most CSC scholarships.
- Score
- HSK 1–9
- Fee
- Rs 3,000
Goethe
Goethe-Zertifikat (German A1–C2)
The German proficiency certificate — A1 for a family or preparatory route, B1/B2 for university and Ausbildung.
- Score
- A1–C2
- Fee
- Rs 14,000
Professional registration
Tests tied to registering in a regulated profession abroad.
Frequently asked
1 Which English test is accepted for which country?
IELTS is accepted almost everywhere. PTE is strong for Australia and New Zealand, TOEFL for the USA, and Duolingo is accepted by a growing number of institutions but not by every visa authority. Check the institution and the visa rule separately: they are set by different bodies.
2 How long is an English test score valid?
Two years for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo. Cambridge C1 Advanced has no formal expiry. Some universities apply their own, stricter recency rule on top.
3 Can I prepare without joining a class?
Yes, and many students do. Classes buy structure, timed mock tests and feedback on speaking and writing, the two sections you cannot reliably mark yourself.
4 IELTS or PTE: which should I take?
Both are accepted by Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. PTE is fully computer-based and returns results faster; IELTS has a face-to-face speaking component. If you are comfortable on a computer and want quick results, PTE is often the smoother choice.
5 Do I need TOEFL for the USA?
TOEFL iBT is the long-standing US standard, though most US universities now also accept IELTS and many accept Duolingo. Check the specific university: the visa authority and the institution set their bars separately.
6 What tests do non-English destinations need?
Japan requires JLPT, South Korea TOPIK, Germany TestDaF or sometimes IELTS, and China HSK. These prove you can study in the local language and are usually required before admission, not just for the visa.
7 How much does a test cost in Nepal?
Most English proficiency tests cost roughly NPR 30,000 to 35,000 to book from Nepal. Language tests vary: JLPT and TOPIK are cheaper to register but need longer preparation. Confirm the current fee with the test centre before you register.
8 When should I book my test?
Two to three months before your application deadline. This leaves room for a slow result or one retake without missing an intake.
9 Are there free test-prep resources?
Yes. Scolar hosts free prep courses for several tests, and the test bodies publish official practice material. Paid classes help most with speaking and writing feedback.
10 How many times can I retake a test?
As many times as you need, though you usually must wait a set period between attempts, often a few days to a month, and pay the fee each time. A focused retake beats stacking attempts blindly.
11 Is computer IELTS easier than paper?
Most students find computer IELTS faster to navigate and easier to edit writing, but it comes down to preference. The scoring is identical. If you type well, computer is usually the smoother choice.
12 Can I use one English score for several countries?
Often yes. IELTS, PTE and TOEFL are accepted across many countries, but the required band or score differs and the visa authority may set its own bar. Always check the visa rule, not just the university.
13 What if my score expires before the visa?
English scores are valid for two years. If yours lapses before you lodge the visa, you must retake. Plan the test date so the score is still valid at every step, including the visa.
Related guides
Not sure which test you need?
The destination decides it. Each country guide lists the exact test and score that country's universities and visa authority ask Nepali students for.
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