IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo : Which test you should take
Being the universal language, English is a compulsion for students who aspire to study abroad. Universities abroad follow rules of the global education system, which judges on the basis of your score in standardised tests designed to test your language fluency. There are predominantly three 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 three 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, it is essential that we consider our requirements or preferences.
Let us closely examine the factors to consider before zeroing in on which test to take up:
Exams have been compared on the basis of versions, organizer (conducting body), and fee.
| Exam |
Versions |
Organizer |
Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
- Academic - General Training |
British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English |
INR 15,500 |
| TOEFL |
- TOEFL PBT (TOEFL Paper-based Test) - TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet-based Test) |
Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
US$190 |
| PTE |
- General - Young Learner Test |
Pearson PLC Group |
INR 14,700 |
| Duolingo (DET) |
Duolingo |
$49 |
Exams have been compared on the basis of their structure, duration, and score.
| Exam |
Structure |
Duration |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
2 hours 45 minutes |
1 to 9 |
|
| TOEFL |
3 hours |
0 to 120 |
|
| PTE |
2 hours |
10 to 90 |
|
| Duolingo (DET) |
Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production |
1 hour |
0 to 160 |
Exams have been compared on the basis of their results, popularity, and acceptance.
| Exam |
Results |
Popularity |
Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Widely popular in Canada, UK, and Australia |
11000+ International Colleges |
|
| TOEFL |
Widely popular in USA and Canada |
11,500+ International Colleges in 160 countries |
|
| PTE |
Recognized in many institutions in the UK, Australia, USA, and Canada |
3,000+ International Colleges |
|
| Duolingo (DET) |
Within 48 hours of completing the test |
USA, Canada |
Accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide |
Quick links:
'Which test to take?' is mostly a matter of opinion and individual preference. If you are not taking external assistance to help you decide, you may decide on the test on the basis of the location you choose to study. For instance, if you are planning to join universities/colleges in North American countries, TOEFL is the right choice for you. The IELTS score is generally accepted worldwide, with a higher acceptance rate in the 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 the study abroad experts, who with their valuable experience and expertise can help you make useful decisions.
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:
With a plethora of knowledge of the education domain, Piyush Kohli has been involved with study abroad for over 5 years and counting. He comes with prior experience on the complexities of the study abroad applicatio... Read Full Bio
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Comments
(4)
M
5 months ago
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I want to work only in New Zealand, which exam I should give?
Reply to MAYURI PATIL
P
Piyush KohliStudy Abroad Expert
5 months ago
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Hi Mayuri, at Shiksha Studyabroad, we assist you with your queries related to study abroad education. All the best!
3 years ago
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hlo mam i have completed my bachelor in Business information management from Kathmandu and scored 64 in PTE and planning to go canada for higher study, whether PTE is accepted by high commission of Canada or not?
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3 years ago
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I wanted to know if I apply in germany for undergraduate course, english as a medium of education then what score in IELTS I need to get.
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S
5 months ago
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You need to get minimum 6.5 overall.
S
5 months ago
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You need to get minimum 6.5 overall.
3 years ago
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How do I write TOEFL and ielts exam online
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3 years ago
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These tests are conducted at authorize test centers where you take the test after booking the same. The article above has quick links to registration guidelines, please check.