What Are ETS Tests and Which One Should You Take?

Updated

ETS tests are standardized assessments from ETS (Educational Testing Service), grouped into four main families: TOEFL for English proficiency, GRE for graduate admissions, TOEIC for workplace English, and Praxis for teacher certification. The right one depends on your goal: studying at an English-speaking institution, applying to graduate school, demonstrating workplace English, or earning a teaching license. Before registering, confirm the specific test version, score requirements, and accepted formats with the institution or employer that will receive your scores.

The four ETS test families at a glance

Test family Primary purpose Main test options Typical score user
TOEFL Academic English proficiency TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP, TOEFL Primary, TOEFL Junior Universities, admissions offices
GRE Graduate admissions GRE General Test, GRE Subject Tests Graduate and professional programs
TOEIC Workplace English TOEIC Listening & Reading, TOEIC Speaking & Writing, TOEIC Bridge Employers, workforce programs
Praxis Teacher certification Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessments State licensing bodies, educator prep programs

ETS describes its work as developing and delivering "secure, fair and equitable assessments" for institutions, governments, and credentialing bodies, and it also runs a research institute focused on measurement science and AI. That context matters mainly because it explains why these tests are usually requested by an institution rather than chosen casually.

Match the test to your goal

Studying abroad or applying to an English-taught program

TOEFL is the family to look at. Within it, the versions are not interchangeable:

  • TOEFL iBT is the flagship academic test and the one most universities list in admissions requirements.
  • TOEFL Essentials is a separate option; check whether your target school accepts it before choosing it over iBT.
  • TOEFL ITP is typically administered by institutions for internal placement or progress purposes, not usually something you register for individually as an admissions test.
  • TOEFL Primary and TOEFL Junior are aimed at younger learners and school programs.

Applying to graduate school

GRE is the relevant family. The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing and is the common requirement across many graduate programs. GRE Subject Tests cover specific disciplines; only take one if your target program explicitly asks for it, since most programs do not.

Proving English for a job or workforce program

TOEIC is built around workplace English rather than academic English. TOEIC Listening & Reading is the broadest-use option; TOEIC Speaking & Writing adds productive skills if an employer asks for them; TOEIC Bridge is a lower-level option for foundational workplace English.

Becoming a licensed teacher

Praxis is the pathway. Praxis Core covers basic reading, writing, and math skills, while Praxis Subject Assessments test knowledge in your specific teaching field. Which tests you need, and the passing scores, are set by your state or licensing body, not by ETS, so verify the exact requirements with that authority first.

How to decide and register

  1. Start from the requirement, not the test. Ask the school, program, employer, or licensing board which ETS test and version it accepts, and what score it requires.
  2. Confirm the version within the family. A school that accepts TOEFL iBT may not accept TOEFL Essentials; a program that wants the GRE General Test will not substitute a Subject Test.
  3. Check format and logistics. Test delivery mode, available test dates, and score-reporting timelines vary by test and by country; confirm these on the ETS site for your selected test and region.
  4. Register through the official ETS page for that test. The ETS site lists registration entry points for TOEFL iBT, TOEIC Listening & Reading, GRE General Test, and Praxis, among others.
  5. Use official prep tied to the test you registered for. Prep for one version does not map cleanly onto another.

Common pitfalls

  • Choosing a test before checking acceptance. The most frequent mistake is preparing for TOEFL Essentials or TOEFL ITP when the receiving institution only lists TOEFL iBT.
  • Assuming all TOEFL versions are equivalent. They differ in purpose, format, and which institutions use them.
  • Taking a GRE Subject Test without being asked. Most graduate programs require only the General Test.
  • Treating Praxis requirements as universal. Passing scores and required subtests are set by state licensing bodies and vary.
  • Registering without confirming score delivery timing. Score reporting windows differ by test, so confirm deadlines with the receiving institution before you book.

If you are unsure, the safest sequence is: get the requirement in writing from the institution or employer, identify the exact ETS test and version named, then register and prepare for that specific test.