Exam Preparation
TOEFL · SAT Prep: Ready for Study Abroad
For overseas university applications, English scores are the first gate. PLI prepares students for TOEFL, SAT and the Duolingo English Test. Our student Kevin took the Duolingo English Test route to Arizona State University.
TOEFL iBT
Integrated academic listening, speaking, reading and writing, from note-taking systems to speaking templates, section by section.
SAT (Reading and Writing)
Focused on the SAT’s Reading and Writing section: long-passage strategy, grammar essentials, time management.
Duolingo English Test
Accepted by a growing list of US universities, and taken at home. We have coached a student to a score above the school’s required threshold and a successful admission.
More Than a Test Score
- Exam strategy and mock tests with score tracking
- Application-English guidance (personal statement language direction)
- Interview speaking practice
- Primarily 1-on-1, with intensive sprint options
Wondering how far your child is from their target school? Read Kevin's full story or ask us on LINE.
How the three tests work and are scored
| Test | How it is taken | How results are reported |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Tests listening, speaking, reading and writing, takes just under 2 hours, and can be taken at a test centre or at home. | From 21 January 2026, a 1 to 6 scale; during a two-year transition, a comparable 0 to 120 score is shown as well. |
| Duolingo English Test 多鄰國英語測驗 | Online at home, computer-adaptive: question difficulty adjusts to how the candidate answers. | 10 to 160 in 5-point steps, with results in about 2 days. |
| SAT | A digital test in two sections, Reading and Writing, and Math. | PLI’s SAT lessons focus on the Reading and Writing section. |
The Duolingo English Test is a different exam from TOEIC (多益). Which test to take depends on the target school, so go by its published requirements.
Who it suits, and how lessons work
These courses suit students aiming for a university abroad. For international-school students and those planning to study abroad, the Cambridge exams carry strong international recognition; if the goal is a US university, the next step is TOEFL, SAT or the Duolingo English Test. To see where your child sits on the Cambridge ladder now, see Cambridge exam levels, Starters to C2; for choosing between Cambridge and GEPT, see Cambridge vs GEPT.
Lessons are primarily 1-on-1, 45 minutes, fully online and taught personally by Teacher Matt, Monday to Saturday between 2:00 and 9:00 PM, with 1-on-1 slots set around your child’s routine.
Kevin’s example
Kevin’s goal was clear: study interior design in the United States, and the gate was an English score. Through PLI’s 1-on-1 lessons he prepared for the Duolingo English Test; we trained him task type by task type and guided his English through the application process. The result: Kevin’s score cleared the school’s required threshold, and he was admitted to Arizona State University to study interior design.
The free 45-minute trial lesson is itself a full level assessment. Afterwards, Teacher Matt tells you where your child is now, how far they are from the target and what to work on first. One LINE message books it, he usually replies the same day, and there is no lock-in contract.
Questions parents ask
TOEFL, SAT or the Duolingo English Test: which one should my child take?
It depends on what the target school accepts, so go by the school’s published requirements. A growing list of US universities accepts the Duolingo English Test, and it is the test Kevin prepared for on his way to Arizona State University. After the free trial lesson, Teacher Matt will tell you which exam to aim for.
How are TOEFL scores reported now?
From 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports scores on a 1 to 6 scale. During a two-year transition, the score report also shows a comparable score on the 0 to 120 scale.
Is the Duolingo English Test the same as TOEIC? Can it be taken at home?
It is not TOEIC. The Duolingo English Test (多鄰國英語測驗 in Chinese) is a different exam from TOEIC (多益). It is taken online at home and is computer-adaptive, scored from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps, with results in about 2 days.
Are lessons 1-on-1 or in a group?
Primarily 1-on-1, with intensive sprint options when needed. Lessons are 45 minutes, fully online, Monday to Saturday between 2:00 and 9:00 PM, and 1-on-1 slots are set around your child’s routine.
Can you help with application documents and interviews?
Yes. Alongside exam strategy and mock tests, lessons include application-English guidance (language direction for personal statements and study plans) and interview speaking practice.
Book a Free 45-Minute Trial Lesson
One message on LINE is all it takes. Tell us your child's age and goals, and Teacher Matt will reply personally, usually the same day. The free trial doubles as a full level assessment. No lock-in contracts, and places are limited.