English test news · Fable Tests News

Monday 8 June 2026

English for visas · Change
Expired BRP now accepted as test ID for 24 months, until end of 2026

People who cannot use their eVisa can now sit the Life in the UK test or a UK English test with a BRP up to 24 months past expiry, but only until 31 December…
8 June 2026

English for visas · Change
UKVI extends IELTS as an approved Secure English Language Test

UK Visas and Immigration has extended its agreement with IELTS, so IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills remain accepted for UK visas while the Home Office prepares its new test.
26 March 2026

English for visas · Report
IELTS pulls out of bidding for the Home Office English test contract

The three IELTS partners will not bid to run the Home Office English Language Test, saying a fully remote test does not meet their security standards for high-stakes testing.
17 March 2026

English for visas · Change
English for UK settlement rises to B2 from 26 March 2027

Settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027 must show B2 speaking and listening, up from B1, under the rule change laid on 5 March 2026.
5 March 2026 · From 26 March 2027
English for visas · Change
Paper-based IELTS ends from mid-2026 as all tests move to computer

IELTS will stop offering the paper test from mid-2026, with dates set market by market. Some markets keep a Writing on Paper option, and IELTS for UKVI becomes fully digital.
5 March 2026

Duolingo English Test · Report
Duolingo keeps its TOEFL score comparison after TOEFL’s new 1 to 6 scale

After TOEFL iBT moved to a new 1 to 6 score scale in early 2026, Duolingo says its existing comparison with TOEFL's 0 to 120 scale remains the one to use for now.
23 February 2026

Duolingo English Test · Change
Duolingo English Test named in 2026 business school reporting standards

The 2026 GME Admissions Reporting Standards, drawn up with GMAC, now list the Duolingo English Test as an approved measure of English for business school applicants.
27 January 2026

English for visas · Report
Home Office plans mainly remote English test for visas from late 2027

The Home Office says its new English Language Test, replacing today's in-centre SELT system, should start in late 2027 or early 2028 and will be mainly taken remotely.
16 January 2026

Duolingo English Test · Change
Duolingo English Test adds room scan and ear scan by phone before tests

The Duolingo English Test's standard security check now includes a phone app that sets up a second camera, a scan of your room and a quick check that you are not wearing earbuds.
9 January 2026

English for visas · Change
UK postgraduate certificate now counts as English proof for settlement

Home Office guidance updated on 19 December 2025 accepts a UK university postgraduate certificate as proof of English for settlement and citizenship, and tightens what medical exemption claims need.
19 December 2025

English for visas · Report
Earned settlement plan sets B2 English and Life in the UK test

The Home Office consultation on earned settlement, open from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026, treats B2 English and a Life in the UK test pass as baseline requirements for settling.
20 November 2025

PTE Academic · Change
PTE tests no longer available in Myanmar from November 2025

Pearson has stopped offering all PTE tests in Myanmar as of November 2025, citing changes that affect payment processing and test delivery in the country.
5 November 2025

English for visas · Change
Skilled Worker English rises to B2 from 8 January 2026

New applicants for the Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual visas need B2 English from 8 January 2026, up from B1. People extending on the same route keep B1.
14 October 2025 · From 8 January 2026

Duolingo English Test · Report
Duolingo English Test scores aligned with Canadian Language Benchmarks

An independent study has mapped Duolingo English Test skill scores to Canadian Language Benchmark levels 3 to 11. It helps Canadian institutions read DET results but is not an immigration approval.
27 August 2025

IELTS · Change
Australia updates accepted English tests and PTE scores from 7 August 2025

Australia now accepts nine English tests for visas, with new score tables for tests taken from 7 August 2025. PTE Academic minimums change because the test and its scores have changed.
7 August 2025

IELTS · Change
IELTS signs new three-year agreement with Australia for visa testing

The IELTS partners have signed a new three-year deed with Australia's Department of Home Affairs, keeping IELTS Academic and General Training approved for Australian visas after a review of accepted tests.
31 July 2025

English for visas · Change
PTE Academic adds two speaking tasks and human checks from 7 August 2025

From 7 August 2025 PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI include two new speaking tasks, Respond to a Situation and Summarize a Group Discussion, with human raters checking content on seven task types.
10 July 2025 · From 7 August 2025

English for visas · Change
LANGUAGECERT ESOL SELT replaced by Academic and General tests

Since 6 July 2025 the LANGUAGECERT ESOL four-skills SELT has been replaced by the LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT and General SELT for UK visa applications. Earlier ESOL results stay valid for two years.
6 July 2025

Duolingo English Test · Change
Duolingo English Test launches Interactive Speaking conversation task

The Duolingo English Test has launched Interactive Speaking, an automated conversation in which a virtual character asks six to eight questions and adapts follow-ups to what the test taker says.
30 June 2025

English for visas · Report
White Paper plans B2 English for skilled workers and settlement

The 12 May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed B2 English for skilled workers and settlement, and a new A1 requirement for adult dependants rising to A2 on extension.
12 May 2025

English for visas · Change
UKVI extends IELTS contract for UK visa English tests

UK Visas and Immigration has extended its agreement with IELTS, so IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills remain approved Secure English Language Tests for UK visa applications.
4 December 2024