Which English Test Do You Need to Study Abroad from Morocco?
Moroccan students lose months and money by preparing the wrong test. Requirements depend on the country, the university and sometimes the immigration authority — not on which test your friends took. Here is how to check before you pay a single exam fee.
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Written and reviewed by Mourade Boulanouar — Founder & Head of Teaching, EnglifyLast reviewed
In short
Which English test you need to study abroad from Morocco depends on the country, the university and sometimes the immigration authority — never on which test your friends took. Check the requirement in writing on the programme page before paying an exam fee: IELTS and TOEFL are accepted almost everywhere, while the Duolingo English Test is only accepted by some institutions. Allow two to three months of preparation before test day.
Key facts
- Requirements come from the programme, not from general advice
- IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely accepted
- Duolingo English Test is accepted only by some institutions
- Immigration rules can differ from university rules
- One valid score can serve several applications
- Plan 2–3 months of preparation before the test
Related questions
Start with the requirement, not the test
Open the admission page of the exact programme you want and find the English section. It will name the tests accepted and the minimum overall score, often with a minimum per section too. That page — not a forum, not an agency — decides what you prepare.
If you also need a study permit or visa, check the immigration requirement separately. A university can accept a test that the immigration route does not, and that mismatch is the most expensive mistake we see.
The four tests in practice
- IELTS Academic: accepted almost everywhere, including UK and Canadian study permits; band 6.0–6.5 is the usual minimum
- TOEFL iBT: strong in the US; typical minimums are 79–100 depending on the university
- Duolingo English Test: cheap, fast and taken at home; accepted by many universities but not by every immigration route; usual minimum 105–125
- Cambridge B2 First / C1 Advanced: never expires, well recognised in Europe, less common as a visa requirement
Rough equivalences
These are approximate and should never replace the university's own table, but they help you set a target: CEFR B2 is roughly IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, Duolingo 105–120 and Cambridge B2 First. CEFR C1 is roughly IELTS 7.0–8.0, TOEFL 95–120, Duolingo 125–140 and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
Cost, waiting time and validity
- IELTS and TOEFL cost the most and need a test centre appointment — book several weeks ahead
- The Duolingo English Test is the cheapest and fastest, taken online with results in a few days
- IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo results are valid two years; Cambridge certificates do not expire
- Retaking costs a full fee again, which is why a mock test before registering saves money
A sensible plan for a Moroccan applicant
Work backwards from the application deadline. Leave at least four weeks between your test date and the deadline in case you need to retake, and start preparation once you know your baseline from a mock or a placement test.
- Confirm the accepted tests and the minimum score for your programme
- Check the visa or study-permit requirement separately
- Sit a mock test to find your current score
- Prepare the specific test format for 6–12 weeks
- Register only when your mock reaches the target with a margin
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Duolingo English Test enough for Canada?
- Many Canadian universities accept it for admission, but study-permit routes such as the Student Direct Stream have historically required IELTS. Verify both the university page and the current immigration requirement before choosing.
- IELTS or TOEFL for a Moroccan student?
- IELTS is accepted more widely across the UK, Canada, Australia and Europe, and its speaking test is a face-to-face interview. TOEFL suits US applications and candidates comfortable with fully computer-based testing.
- Can I use one score for several applications?
- Yes. One valid result can be sent to multiple universities, so choose the test accepted by all of your target programmes rather than sitting two exams.
- How long should I prepare?
- From B2, six to ten weeks of focused preparation is typical. From B1, plan several months of general English first — exam technique cannot replace a missing level.
- How much do English lessons cost in Morocco?
- At Englify, small-group online English classes are the most affordable option and private one-to-one classes cost more per hour, because a private teacher works with one student only. Current group and private prices are confirmed on WhatsApp (+212 724 744 137) and on our prices page, since they depend on the format, the number of hours per week and the length of the plan. The trial class is free and no card is required.
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