Updated 21 October 2026
Quick answer: In October 2026, TOEFL iBT is the cheapest of the centre-based tests in Kenya at US$225 (about KSh 29,200), followed by PTE Academic at US$260 (about KSh 33,700). IELTS costs KSh 41,580 (about US$320), or KSh 44,840 for IELTS for UKVI. The Duolingo English Test is taken online at home and paid in US dollars at checkout. IELTS has the most test centres in Kenya (nine towns through the British Council), PTE has centres in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret, and the right choice depends on which test your university or visa route accepts.
Fees come from each provider’s own price list for Kenya, read on 19 October 2026: IDP and British Council Kenya for IELTS, Pearson’s Kenya product list for PTE, and ETS’s TOEFL iBT country fee list. Dollar figures are converted at about KSh 129.79 to US$1 (open.er-api.com, 19 October 2026), so the KSh amounts for PTE and TOEFL are approximate and your card or bank rate will differ slightly.
In this guide
Fees Compared
| Test | Fee for Kenya | Approx. in KSh or USD | Where you take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | KSh 41,580 | About US$320 | Test centre (computer), or British Council IELTS Online |
| IELTS for UKVI | KSh 44,840 | About US$345 | Nairobi test centre only |
| PTE Academic | US$260 | About KSh 33,700 | Test centre; Pearson also lists PTE Academic Online at US$260 |
| PTE Academic UKVI | US$260 | About KSh 33,700 | Test centre |
| PTE Core | US$260 | About KSh 33,700 | Test centre |
| PTE Home A1, A2 or B1 | US$220 | About KSh 28,600 | Test centre |
| TOEFL iBT | US$225 (excludes VAT or other taxes) | About KSh 29,200 | Test centre or at home |
| Duolingo English Test | Shown in US$ at checkout | Not published on the pages we could read | Online, at home, on your own computer |
Source line: IDP IELTS Kenya and British Council Kenya fee pages; Pearson PTE Kenya product prices; ETS TOEFL iBT fee list (Kenya); all read 19 October 2026.
Extra costs to plan for
- TOEFL: ETS charges US$49 for express registration within seven days of the test, US$69 to reschedule, and US$29 for each extra score report beyond the free ones.
- IELTS: the British Council includes access to its IELTS Ready Premium preparation course in the fee and sends five extra Test Report Forms free.
- PTE: Pearson sells preparation packs for Kenya from US$59.99 (Academic Bronze) to US$119.99 (Academic Gold), and a scored practice test for US$35.99. They are optional.
Test Centres in Kenya
| Test | Centres listed by the provider |
|---|---|
| IELTS (British Council) | Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Meru, Kisii and Kakamega; IELTS for UKVI in Nairobi only |
| IELTS (IDP) | Nairobi (Euro Towers, Westlands) and Eldoret (Elgon View) |
| PTE (Pearson) | Computer Pride Ltd, JKUAT Towers, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi; Pearson Professional Centers, 6th Floor, Principal Place, 14 School Lane, Nairobi; Computer Pride Ltd, Mombasa Trade Center, Nkrumah Road, Mombasa; Wisetech Training Institute, KVDA building, Oloo Street, Eldoret |
| TOEFL iBT (ETS) | Search centres and dates in your ETS account; the Home Edition removes the need to travel |
| Duolingo English Test | No centres; you test at home with a webcam, microphone and a quiet room |
If you live outside Nairobi, Mombasa or Eldoret, IELTS is the test you are most likely to sit near home. Home tests save travel but have strict room and equipment rules, and a dropped connection or a second person in the room can cancel the test.
Which Test Is Accepted Where?
This is the question that matters most, and the answer comes from the place you are applying to, not from the test provider. Use this as a starting point, then confirm on the official page of your university, regulator or immigration authority before paying.
- UK student, work or family visas: when the Home Office asks for a Secure English Language Test (SELT), you need a SELT version taken at an approved centre. In Kenya that means IELTS for UKVI (KSh 44,840) or PTE Academic UKVI (US$260). The British Council confirms that UKVI does not accept tests taken online at home.
- UK university admission where the university itself assesses your English: many accept standard IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, and some accept Duolingo. Check the course page.
- Canada study: universities set their own lists. For immigration routes, Pearson markets PTE Core as its test for Canadian work and migration applications, while IELTS General Training is the long-standing option. Confirm with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- USA: TOEFL iBT is the traditional US choice and is widely accepted by American universities. Many also accept IELTS, PTE and Duolingo, so the cheapest accepted test can save you money.
- Australia and New Zealand: IELTS and PTE Academic are both widely used for study and migration. Check the visa subclass requirements.
- Nurses and doctors going abroad: the professional regulator (for example the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council) sets the accepted tests and scores. Read its current rules before booking.
How the Tests Feel on the Day
| Feature | IELTS | PTE | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Computer at a centre (paper writing option at British Council) | Computer at a centre | Computer at a centre or at home | Computer at home |
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner (or by video for some formats) | Into a microphone, scored by computer | Into a microphone | Into a microphone |
| Score scale | Bands 0 to 9 | 10 to 90 | Check the current ETS scale your institution uses | Check the score your institution asks for |
| Best for | Wide acceptance and many Kenyan centres | Candidates comfortable speaking to a computer | US applications | Applicants whose university accepts it and who want to avoid travel |
Some candidates find a human examiner easier for speaking; others prefer the computer because there is no one to feel nervous in front of. If you can, do a free practice test in two formats before choosing.
A Simple Way to Choose
- List every test your target institutions or visa route accept. If only one appears, the decision is made.
- If more than one is accepted, compare the total cost, including travel to a centre and any extra score reports.
- Check the minimum score in the institution’s own scale, not a conversion chart from a forum.
- Look at dates. Book several weeks before your application deadline so you have time for a resit.
- Use only official booking sites or a licensed agent. Never pay anyone who promises a guaranteed score.
For full IELTS booking steps, ID rules and payment options, see our guide to IELTS in Kenya: fees, test centres and booking. If you are saving for application costs, part-time and remote vacancies are listed on JobinKenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which English test is cheapest in Kenya?
Among the centre-based tests, TOEFL iBT at US$225 (about KSh 29,200, before any VAT) was the cheapest on 19 October 2026, then PTE Academic at US$260 and IELTS at KSh 41,580.
Is PTE accepted for a UK visa?
Pearson sells PTE Academic UKVI in Kenya for US$260. For a visa that needs a Secure English Language Test, book the UKVI version at an approved centre.
Can I take the Duolingo English Test in Kenya?
Yes. It is taken online from home, so there is no test centre. Check that your university accepts it before paying.
Where can I take PTE in Kenya?
Pearson lists centres in Nairobi (Computer Pride at JKUAT Towers and Pearson Professional Centers at Principal Place), Mombasa (Computer Pride, Nkrumah Road) and Eldoret (Wisetech Training Institute).
Is IELTS harder than PTE or TOEFL?
No test is officially easier. They test the same skills in different formats, so choose the one your institution accepts and whose format suits you.
Last checked 19 October 2026. Test fees change, and dollar prices depend on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
