IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo: Which test you should take

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: English proficiency exams are an important admission requirement for Indian students looking to study abroad. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo are popular English language tests that can be taken by candidates looking to study abroad to prove their English reading, listening, speaking and writing language skills.

Being the universal language, English is a compulsion for students who aspire to study abroad. Universities abroad follow the rules of the global education system, which judges based on your score in standardised tests designed to test your language fluency. There are predominantly four standardised English language tests that are widely accepted in most foreign universities i.e. IELTS (International English Language Testing Service), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), PTE (Pearson Test of English), and Duolingo English Test.

While all four of them evaluate your English language skills based on four parameters of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, the ongoing debate of which test to take has become a moot point amongst aspirants. Before landing on any conclusion, we must consider our requirements or preferences. 

If you are looking for TOEFL vs IELTS? In this article, we will inform you which exam you should take. Also, if you are looking for IELTS vs PTE, then we have informed the difference between these exams as well. Let us closely examine the factors to consider before zeroing in on which test to take up:

IELTS Vs TOEFL Vs PTE Vs Duolingo

In the upcoming sections, the comparison between the four exams is drawn based on various factors.

Below, these exams have been compared based on versions, organiser (conducting body), and fees.

Below, the four exams have been compared on the basis of their structure, duration, and score.

Exams have been compared based on their results, popularity, and acceptance below.

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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

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• IELTS or TOEFL- Which one is better for USA?

• IELTS is More Popular in Europe as English Proficiency Test

'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:

• MS Colleges Accepting IELTS Scores
• MS Colleges Accepting TOEFL Scores
• MS Colleges Accepting PTE Academic Scores
• MBA Colleges Accepting IELTS Scores
• MBA Colleges Accepting TOEFL Scores
• MBA Colleges Accepting PTE Academic Scores