IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which Test Should You Take?
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Choosing the right English test is the most important step if you want to study abroad in 2026. Many students get confused between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo. If you pick the wrong one, you might face problems with your university admission or your student visa.
IELTS is the most widely accepted English test and is accepted almost everywhere. IELTS is a popular test for UK, Canada, and Australia. You can choose to take the test in either computer or paper mode. Then there is TOEFL. The TOEFL exam is also widely accepted and going popular day by day. TOEFL is a totally internet-based test. You can take the TOEFL iBT from both home and test centre. You can register for TOEFL at a discounted price with Sikhsa Study Abroad. ETS has announced the major changes in TOEFL 2026. This will be applicable from January 21 onwards.
PTE Academic is a best choice for a fater result. It uses AI for marking, so you get your scores quickly. It is very popular for Australia PR and UK study visas. Lastly, the Duolingo English Test is the cheapest and you can take it from home. But be careful, because some countries like Germany might not accept it for a visa. Always check the English proficiency requirements of your college before paying the fees. Every country has different rules for 2026.
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which Test is Best for You?
- Which Countries Accept IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo?
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Formats and Durations
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Fees in India
- Which English Test is Easiest to Pass in 2026?
- IELTS vs. TOEFL: Which should you take?
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which Test is Best for You?
When you are looking at different tests, you need to think about how much time you have and which country you want to live in. IELTS is very good for people who like talking to a real person. TOEFL and PTE Academic are better if you are fast at typing and like computers. Many students choose Duolingo because it is cheap and easy, but you must check if your university admission team accepts it for 2026. Each test has a different exam fee and way of giving scores, so picking the right one helps you save money and time.
Overview of Test Types and Formats
| Feature | IELTS | TOEFL | PTE Academic | Duolingo (DET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Target | UK, Canada, Australia | USA & Academic | Australia, UK, NZ | Affordable Admissions |
| Test Mode | Paper or Computer | Computer Only | Computer Only | Online (At home) |
| Speaking | Human Interviewer | Machine Recorded | Machine Recorded | Machine Recorded |
| Duration | 2 hours 45 mins | 2 hours (116 minutes) | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 1 hour |
| Score Range | 0 – 9 Bands | 0 – 120 Points (Old) 0-6 (TOEFL 2026) | 10 – 90 Points | 10 – 160 Points |
It is also very important to understand how the scores compare to each other. For example, a band 7.0 in IELTS is not the same number as a score in PTE or TOEFL. Most top universities abroad want a high English proficiency score to make sure you can understand the lessons. If you are applying for a student visa, the government might ask for a specific test like IELTS Academic or PTE. Knowing these score levels helps you set a goal for your study plan so you don't fail the minimum requirements for your dream college.
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Score Comparison (Approximate)
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT | PTE Score | Duolingo (DET) | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 - 9.0 | 110 - 120 | 83 - 90 | 145 - 160 | Very Advanced |
| 7.5 | 102 - 109 | 73 - 82 | 135 - 140 | Advanced |
| 7.0 | 94 - 101 | 65 - 72 | 125 - 130 | Good |
| 6.5 | 79 - 93 | 58 - 64 | 115 - 120 | Competent |
| 6.0 | 60 - 78 | 50 - 57 | 105 - 110 | Intermediate |
Which Countries Accept IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo?
All English tests will not be perfect for all countries. IELTS and TOEFL are popular in US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. PTE Academic is also becoming very strong for Australia student visas and UK. Duolingo is not globally accepted as of now.
Country Wise Acceptance for 2026
| Country | IELTS | TOEFL | PTE Academic | Duolingo (DET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | High | High | High | Moderate (Check University) |
| USA | High | Very High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Canada | Very High | Moderate | High | Low (Not for SDS) |
| Australia | Very High | High | Very High | Low |
| Germany | High | High | Low (Avoid) | Very Low |
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Formats and Durations
Every exam has a different way of testing you. For IELTS, you have to sit for about 3 hours and talk to a person face-to-face, which some students find scary. But PTE and TOEFL are done completely on a computer, and even your speaking is recorded. If you want something very short, the Duolingo English Test is the fastest, taking only 1 hour. It is important to know the test duration so you can practice staying focused for that long. Some tests like PTE Academic are very quick with results, but others might take a week or more to tell you your score.
| Test | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Four sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes | 28 questions, 36 minutes | Eight sections, 45-60 minutes | Four parts, 2-4 questions each, 8-12 minutes |
| Reading | Three sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes | Two passages, 10 questions each, 35 minutes | Five sections, 32-41 questions, 45-75 minutes | Four parts, 2-3 questions each, 16-22 minutes |
| Writing | Two tasks, 60 minutes | Two tasks, 29 minutes | Three sections, 20-32 questions, 30-40 minutes | One part, one question, 10 minutes |
| Speaking | Face-to-face interview, 11-14 minutes | Two independent tasks, two integrated tasks, 16 minutes | Five sections, 35 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds per question | Three parts, 3-5 questions each, 6-8 minutes |
| Duration | Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes | Less than 2 hours | Approximately 2 hours | Approximately 1 hour |
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Fees in India
The exam fees of all English tests are mentioned below. Besides the main fee, you should also think about extra costs like rescheduling fees or sending your scores to more universities. For example, IDP lets you send IELTS scores to 5 universities for free, but after that, you might have to pay extra. PTE is better because you can send your results to as many colleges as you want for free.
| Exam |
Versions |
Organiser |
Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
IELTS Academic |
IELTS IDP India |
INR 18,000 |
| TOEFL |
TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet-based Test) |
Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
INR 18,000 |
| PTE |
PTE Academic |
Pearson PLC Group |
INR 18,000 |
| Duolingo (DET) |
Duolingo |
$70 |
Which English Test is Easiest to Pass in 2026?
Many students ask, "Which English test is the easiest?" because they want to get the best score with the least stress. In 2026, the answer depends on your own skills. For example, PTE Academic is often called the easiest for scoring because it is marked by AI, and you can use templates for speaking and writing. If you like using computers and are good at typing, PTE or Duolingo might feel much easier than IELTS. However, if you are comfortable talking to people and like the traditional way of writing on paper, then IELTS could be the best fit for you.
Test Difficulty Comparison (Student Perspective)
| Test | Difficulty Level | Why It Feels Easy? | Why It Feels Hard? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Moderate | Speaking is like a natural conversation. | Writing is checked strictly by humans. |
| PTE | Moderate-Easy | Uses AI; templates help a lot in speaking. | The computer is very strict about pronunciation. |
| Duolingo | Easy | Very short; you take it from your own home. | Adaptive: questions get harder if you do well. |
| TOEFL | Moderate-Hard | Academic style is good for university prep. | Very long reading passages and complex tasks. |
Also read: Which English Proficiency Test do Indian Students Prefer for Studying Abroad? | Poll Insights
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
IELTS vs. TOEFL: Which should you take?
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System whereas, TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. To apply to abroad universities one needs to take the IELTS Academic test or TOEFL iBT. You can take both these exams at the test centres located near you. Above we have given the difference between IELTS and TOEFL in detail whether it is fee, exam structure or duration of the exam.
Format of both tests
| IELTS Academic Exam Format | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skills |
Time Per Section |
No. of Questions |
| Listening |
30 mins |
40 |
| Reading |
60 mins |
40 |
| Writing |
60 mins |
2 |
| Speaking |
11-14 mins |
3 (sections) |
| TOEFL iBT Exam Format | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skills |
Time Per Section |
No. of Questions |
| Listening |
36 mins |
28 |
| Reading |
35 mins |
20 |
| Writing |
29 mins |
2 (tasks) |
| Speaking |
16 mins |
4 (tasks) |
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'Which test to take?' is mostly a matter of opinion and individual preference. If you are not taking external assistance to help you decide which test to take, you may decide based on several other factors such as location, scoring, pattern, mode and medium of examination. For instance, if you wish to receive fair and just scores, you can go for the oldest test format, i.e. TOEFL which is the most widely accepted test worldwide and may be the right choice for you. The IELTS score is generally accepted worldwide, with a higher acceptance rate in European countries as well as New Zealand, and Australia. Nowadays, PTE Academic is also accepted in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It is always recommended that you conduct thorough research before finalizing an exam. To avoid further confusion, you may always seek assistance from study abroad experts, who with their valuable experience and expertise can help you make a more informed decision.
You might also want to read Choosing between TOEFL and IELTS: A Comparison. If already finalised, you might be interested to know When to start preparing for IELTS or TOEFL.
Also check:
Many students find PTE easier because it is marked by a computer and uses templates. You can get a high score quickly if you practice the test pattern well. However the computer is very strict about your pronunciation during the speaking part.
University of Lancashire accepts country-specific qualifications from overseas applicants. Indian candidates who wish to pursue their higher studies from the university, must meet the University of Lancashire admission requirements for Indian students listed below:
Undergraduate Requirements:
- Higher secondary school certificate
- Overall score of 60% (80% for excellence scholarship)
- 60% - 70% in Standard XII English (IELTS 6.0 equivalent)
Graduate Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant field;
- Overall score of 58% in bachelor's degree (80% for excellence scholarship) or 55% in master's degree
- 65% - 75% in Standard XII English (IELTS 6.5 equivalent)
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(8)
R
3 years ago
A
3 years ago
Please refer to the following link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa/bachelors-in-nursing-paramedical-courses-sl
S
3 years ago
A
3 years ago
Hi. Kindly elaborate which country are you aiming for. You can go through these links as well: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/canada/bsc-colleges-dc , https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa/bsc-colleges-dc , and https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/uk/bsc-colleges-dc
A
3 years ago
Please refer to average IELTS score for Canada universities: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/average-ielts-scores-at-the-best-universities-in-canada-articlepage-882
M
3 years ago
P
3 years ago
IELTS is the most widely accepted test by embassies and universities worldwide. It is the safest choice for countries like UK, Canada, and Australia. Most visa officers trust IELTS scores more than any other test.