TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo: do Ghanaians need one?
Often not. Ghanaian schools teach in English, and many US universities waive the English test for students taught in English for several years. Penn, for example, waives it after at least three years of English-medium study. Check each university's rule. If one does require a test, the Duolingo English Test is usually the cheapest and quickest; the TOEFL and IELTS are also widely accepted.
Do Ghanaian students need an English test?
Often not. Ghanaian schools teach in English, and many US universities waive the English proficiency test for students taught in English for several years. Penn, for example, says applicants are exempt if English was their primary language of instruction for at least three years by the time they enrol.
But "often" is not "always". Each university sets its own rule, and a few ask every international applicant for a test. Check before you assume, and before you pay for one.
How do I know whether a university waives the test?
Read its international requirements page, and look for wording about the language of instruction. Universities usually phrase waivers in one of three ways:
| What the page says | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Exempt if English was the language of instruction for a set number of years | Usually waived for a Ghanaian SHS student |
| Exempt for citizens of named English-speaking countries | Waived only if Ghana is on the list |
| Required of all applicants whose first language is not English | Depends on how you answer the first-language question; read carefully |
If the page is unclear, email the admissions office. Ask whether a student taught in English throughout SHS in Ghana needs to submit an English test. A written answer settles it.
What if my first language is not English?
Answer the application's language questions honestly. Many Ghanaian students speak Twi, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani or another language at home and were taught in English at school. Universities ask about both, and they usually care most about the language of instruction.
So say what your home language is, and say that your schooling was in English. A waiver based on the language of instruction usually still applies.
Speaking several languages is a strength, not a problem to explain away. The Common App lets you list every language you speak, and you should. A student who moves between Twi at home, English at school and French in class has something many readers will notice.
If I do need a test, which one should I take?
The one every university on your list accepts, at the lowest cost and effort. The three most common are:
| Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you take it | Online, at home, on your own computer | Test centre, or at home in some cases | Test centre in Ghana |
| Cost | Around $70 | Several times more | Several times more |
| Results | Usually within days | Usually within one to two weeks | Usually within days to two weeks |
| Accepted by | Many universities, including Penn | Almost all | Almost all |
Check the current fee and format on each test's own website, as they change. Then confirm that every university on your list accepts the test you choose.
What score do I need?
Each university sets its own minimum, published on its testing or international page. Some name a minimum score; others give a recommended range. Aim comfortably above the minimum: a score just at the line can raise a question, while a strong score answers it.
If your English is strong, as it is for most students taught in English for years, one sitting with modest practice is usually enough. Take one official practice test first, so the format holds no surprises.
When should I take it?
Early enough for results to reach every university before its deadline, with time for a second attempt. For November deadlines, aim to test by the end of September. For January deadlines, by early December at the latest.
The Duolingo English Test, taken at home with quick results, gives more flexibility than a centre-based test. But a home test needs a quiet room, a reliable internet connection and a computer that meets the test's requirements. Check those well before test day, especially if power or data is unreliable where you live.
Can my SAT score count as English evidence?
At some universities, yes. A few accept a strong score on the SAT's Reading and Writing section as evidence of English proficiency, in place of a separate English test. Others do not. Look for this on each university's testing or international page.
If you are sitting the SAT anyway, this can save you a second test. But do not assume it: if a university requires an English test and does not mention the SAT, it wants the English test.
Do I need an English test for the student visa?
No. The US student visa has no English test requirement of its own. The university confirms your English when it admits you, and records it on your I-20.
At the visa interview at the US Embassy in Accra, the consular officer speaks with you in English. Answer clearly and in your own words about your studies and plans. For a student who has studied in English for years, that conversation is the only English check left, and it is an ordinary one.
Does an English test help my application?
Rarely, if it is not required. Universities that waive the test are already satisfied with your English. A score sent where none is needed adds little, and the money is better spent on application fees, the CSS Profile or the SAT.
What does show your English is your writing: your personal statement and supplements. Make them clear, specific and your own. That is the English evidence every reader sees.
What should I do first?
Open the international requirements page of every university on your list and note, for each, whether it waives the English test for English-medium schooling. Book a test only if at least one university needs it.
If you would like help checking the requirements across your list, you can book a call with us.
Questions people ask
Do Ghanaian students need the TOEFL to study in the USA?
Often not. Many universities waive English tests for students whose schooling was in English, which includes Ghanaian SHS students. Each university sets its own rule, so check the international requirements page of every university on your list.
Which is cheaper, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo?
The Duolingo English Test is usually the cheapest, at around $70, and it is taken online at home. The TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic cost several times more in Ghana. Check the current fee on each test's own website.
Do US universities accept the Duolingo English Test?
Many do, including Penn. Not every university accepts it, so check each one's list of accepted tests before you book.
Should I take an English test even if it is waived?
Usually not. A waived requirement means the university is satisfied by your English-medium schooling. Spend the time and money on your essays or the SAT instead, unless a university recommends a test.