IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which Test Should You Take?
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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.
If you want to study or work in an English-speaking country, you need to prove your English skills. The IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test are the most popular esnglish proficiency test for international students and professionals. Each test checks your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, but they have different formats, scoring methods, and rules.
Understanding the difference among all english profiiciency tests, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo English Test is important. This helps candidates in choosing the right test depends on their needs and where they want to apply. These tests continue to evolve, with Duolingo English test is gaining popularity for its convenience and speed. IELTS and TOEFL remain widely accepted by universities worldwide, while PTE Academic offers a detailed assessment of language skills.
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. This article will guide you through the key differences between these tests, including their formats, scoring systems, and acceptance by universities, helping you make an informed decision based on your needs and goals.
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Formats and Durations
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Scoring Systems
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Fees and Availability
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Acceptance and Popularity
- IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Difficulty Level
- IELTS vs. TOEFL: Which should you take?
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Formats and Durations
Here's a quick overview of each test's format and duration:
| 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: Scoring Systems
Here's how each test scores:
| Test | Scoring System | Range |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Band scale (0-9) | Average of four sections |
| TOEFL iBT | Section scores (0-30), total score (0-120) | Combined scores from four sections |
| PTE Academic | Scale (10-90) | Overall score based on four sections |
| Duolingo English Test | Scale (10-160) | Adaptive scoring based on performance |
Also, read: Which English Proficiency Test do Indian Students Prefer for Studying Abroad? | Poll Insights
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Fees and Availability
Below, these exams have been presented based on versions (suited for studying abroad), organiser (conducting body), and fees.
| 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 16,900 |
| PTE |
Pearson PLC Group |
INR 18,000 |
|
| Duolingo (DET) |
Duolingo |
$65 |
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Acceptance and Popularity
Here's a brief overview of where each exams have been compared based on their results, popularity, and acceptance below.
| Exam |
Results |
Popularity |
Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
3 to 5 days after the IELTS test date |
Widely popular in Canada, UK, and Australia |
11000+ International Colleges |
| TOEFL |
4-8 days after taking the test |
Widely popular in the USA, Canada, Australia, UK and many more countries |
13,000+ International Colleges in 160+ countries |
| PTE |
Declared online within two working days |
Recognized in many institutions in the UK, Australia, USA, New Zealand and Canada |
3,500+ International Colleges |
| Duolingo (DET) |
Within 48 hours of completing the test |
USA, Canada |
Accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide |
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IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Difficulty Level
-
IELTS and TOEFL: Generally considered more challenging and require more preparation.
-
PTE and Duolingo: Often seen as easier, with Duolingo being an adaptive test that adjusts difficulty based on performance.
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:
There is no exact choice of the PTE test centre that fits the "best" for all students. Students must look for and choose a centre which is the nearest to their current place of residence and is easily accessible. For this reason, start looking for a PTE test centre within your city.
However, if there is no PTE exam centre within your city then, select the one where you can travel to easily without getting late for your PTE exam. This is because if you miss out on appearing in the PTE exam at your chosen time slot then, you will have to book your PTE exam slot again along with re-paying the PTE exam fee.
Candidates should note that both TOEFL and IELTS are English language tests that have been designed for the benefit of students wanting to study in English speaking country abroad. These English proficiency tests will examine the English proficiency skills of the applicant and inform the university whether the candidate is fit for the curriculum. Hence, both exams have been created at par with each other.
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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
Yes, PTE may seem harder to some students who have taken the IELTS exam earlier. This is because the PTE exam is concluded in a single sitting of 2 hours. However, the IELTS exam takes place in two different sittings within a span of a week. This gives students more time to prepare for the speaking part of the IELTS test.
One other difficulty that the student may come around is that the test is completely automated and student may not find any human examiner for any part of the test. This might intimidate the students who are not comfortable with taking the test on a computer.