IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Which Test Should You Take

English may not be the most spoken language in the world. Still, when it comes to applying for universities in native English-speaking countries, your English proficiency is one of the criteria that can determine your acceptance rate and others. We have therefore listed all the types of English language tests and find one that’s suitable for you.

What is IELTS?

IELTS is also known as The International English Language Testing System. It is designed to help anyone who wants to study, work or migrate to another country.

It is important for anyone applying to be accepted in native-speaking countries. Therefore, this test is crucial for applicants.

IELTS is developed to provide candidates with a fair and accurate English language proficiency assessment. It is open to applicants from all backgrounds.

What is TOEFL?

TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The premier English language test assesses the language of non-native speakers who want to study, work or migrate.

The TOEFL test is available for anyone who wants to attend the world in more than 200 countries and territories.

Candidates can take the test at the center or online at home. It is evaluated on a fair combination of human and AI scoring.

What is PTE?

PTE is also known as the Pearson Test of English. It is the most trusted and efficient English proficiency test for students who want to improve their language and study abroad. The test is available for students from all nationalities.

It is assessed, evaluated and scored based on AI scoring, while for some tests, it is rated based on correct and incorrect answers. The formal aspects are scored based on word limit, while the quality of response is on pronunciation and fluency.

What is Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English test is a digital English proficiency test that is a fast, convenient, affordable and trusted test by students who want to study abroad. The test can be taken by all nationalities anytime, anywhere.

The Duolingo test was developed to provide language training to aspiring, low-income students worldwide. It is integrated with the high-tech popular admission test software.

The table shows a comparison between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo

Parameters	IELTS	TOEFL	PTE Academics	Duolingo
Format	Paper or Computer Based	Computer based	Computer based	Computer and mobile based
Test Structure	ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking	ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking	ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking	ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking
Organiser	British Council, Cambridge University Press & Assessment and IDP IELTS	The Educational Testing Service	Pearson PLC Group	Duolingo
Assesment Mechanism	Manual	Automated	Manual	Automated
Score	1-9	1-120	10-90	0-160
Validity	2-3 years	2-3 years	2 years	2 years
Duration	2 hrs 45 min	3 hrs	2 years	1 yr
Results	3 to 5 days after the test date	6-10 days after taking the test	Declared online within two working days	Within 48 hours of completing the test
University Accepted	11000+ International Colleges	11,500+ International Colleges in 160 countries	3,000+ International Colleges	Accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide
Country Accepted	Canada, UK, and Australia	USA and Canada	UK, Australia, USA, and Canada	USA, Canada

Who is the organizer for IELTS?

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, Cambridge University Press & Assessment and IDP IELTS. A team of language specialists from native english speaking countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand develops the questions.

[Read Also: 5 Ways to Crack an IELTS Exam]

Who is the organizer for TOEFL?

The Educational Testing Service conducted TOEFL, an American test service in Princeton University in 1964. It is a non-profit organization that designs various formats and administers the test. TOEFL is accepted by 11,000 universities in 160 countries around the world.

Who conducts the PTE ?

PTE is conducted by the Pearson PLC Group, a British multinational publishing and education company which comprises experts from linguistic testing and psychometrics. They assess, provide critical feedback and evaluate the test at every stage.

Who conducts Duolingo?

It was developed and conducted by Duoling as the first internet-based test rather than a paper-based test. Its popularity grew more among students and teachers at the time of Covid.

What are types of IELTS for exams?

There are 2 types of IELTS available for applicants. The IELTS Academic Test assesses and measures if the student meets the academic requirements. The test reflects the student’s English language and is fit to begin studying or training in English.

[Read Also: Studying in the UK Without IELTS]

What are the types of TOEFL?

There are 3 types of TOEFL available for students.

The first is the PBT (paper-based test) that resembles TOEFL iBT. It is based on 4-section assessments and only taken by 3 % of the students.

The second is the CBT (computer-based test), where students must take the Reading, Listening and Writing test at the center and the Speaking section at home.

The third is the iBT(Internet-based Test) and the most common and preferred type of examination. It measures all four English skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

What are the types of PTE?

There are two types of PTE, and assess the test based on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

PTE Academic

It is designed for work, immigration and anyone who wants to study abroad. The English-speaking countries accept it.

Australia and New Zealand recognize the results as immigration and work visas. The duration of the test is for 3 hours.

PTE General

It is designed for work and study in non-speaking EU regions. The duration is for 1.5 to 3 hours. When it comes to this exam, it is important to understand the importance of the English proficiency test, which is linked to CEFRL and CEFR.

What are the types of Duolingo?

Duolingo is based on only one type of test which is an online based English test.

What is the passing score for IELTS?

There is a wide range of levels of IELTS that assesses English language skills. In IELTS, there’s no pass or fail, but the applicants receive a score that ranges from 0-9 (also known as Band Score). These scores reflect your skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. For example, the full range scores (0.5,6.0 or 7.0) and mid-range scores ( 5.5, 6.5. 7.5) at every test stage.

What is the passing score for TOEFL?

The average score for TOEFL is between 65 to 110 for university admissions. There are different test scores for universities too. For instance, the iBT score varies from 61 points (Bowling Green State University) to 109 (Harvard).

What is the passing score for PTE?

There’s no passing PTE score. The good score ranges between 50-90, which universities accept. The average score ranges between 10-90.

What is the passing score for Duolingo?

There’s no passing or failing the Duolingo test. The average score is 110 and above, while the excellent score is 120.

Can the IELTS results expire?

The validity of the IELTS results depends upon the country and the university or organization a student plans to submit the test. For skilled migration workers, it is valid for three years.

In general, it is valid for two years. For Canada, it must be the last 2 yrs, 24 months. As for the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand, it is recommended for 2-year validity.

How many times can we attend IELTS?

IELTS is conducted four times a month, and there’s no limit to taking the test. Applicants can retake the test within 60 days of the original test date. Students also have the option to retake only one section of the test if they want to. The best time to take the IELTS test is in April, August and December.

Can the TOEFL results expire?

It is valid for two years. Yes, it can expire after two years after the test date. Students can receive the scorecard within six days. TOEFL is conducted 50 times a year, and students can retake the test anytime after seven days from the test date. The test cannot be extended, and the scorecard disappears from the official website after its validity.

Can results expire for PTE?

The PTE Scores are valid only for two years from the day you gave your test. After two years, if it is not used, it will automatically be deleted from your account.

Can the Duolingo results expire?

The Duolingo results will expire after two years from the day of the test taken by a candidate. The scores can be sent to many universities. It will be deleted from your account if it is not used within 2 years.

What countries accept IELTS?

The English-speaking countries that accept the IELTS test are the UK, the US, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

What countries accept TOEFL?

The English-speaking countries that accept the IELTS test are the UK, the US, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

What countries accept PTE?

The countries that accept the PTE test are the USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and some more countries.

What countries accept Duolingo?

Duolingo is accepted in the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, China, Qatar, Japan, Thailand, Ireland, and the European countries (Spain, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Italy).