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 the 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. 

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:

Exams have been compared on the basis of versions, organizer (conducting body), and fees.

Exam	Versions	Organizer	Fee
IELTS	- Academic - General Training	British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English	INR 16,250
TOEFL	- TOEFL PBT (TOEFL Paper-based Test) - TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet-based Test)	Educational Testing Service (ETS)	US$195
PTE	-  PTE Academic - General - Young Learner Test	Pearson PLC Group	INR 14,700
Duolingo (DET)	Duolingo Academic	Duolingo	$49

Exams have been compared on the basis of their structure, duration, and score.

Exam	Structure	Duration	Score
IELTS	Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening	2 hours 45 minutes	1 to 9
TOEFL	Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening	3 hours	0 to 120
PTE	Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening	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	3 to 5 days after the test date	Widely popular in Canada, UK, and Australia	11000+ International Colleges
TOEFL	6-10 days after taking the test	Widely popular in USA and Canada	11,500+ International Colleges in 160 countries
PTE	Declared online within two working days	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:

IELTS Important Dates	TOEFL Important Dates	PTE Academic Important Dates
Register for IELTS	Register for TOEFL	Register for PTE Academic
IELTS Syllabus	TOEFL Syllabus	PTE Academic Syllabus
IELTS Preparation Tips	TOEFL Preparation Tips	PTE Academic Preparation Tips
IELTS Practice Papers	TOEFL Practice Papers	PTE Academic Practice Papers
IELTS Test Centres in India	TOEFL Test Centres in India	PTE Academic Test Centres in India

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 the tests

Skills	IELTS Academic	No. of Questions
Listening	30 mins	40
Reading	60 mins	40
Writing	60 mins	2
Speaking	11-14 mins	3

Skills	TOEFL iBT	No. of Questions
Listening	41-57 mins	28-39
Reading	54-72 mins	30-40
Writing	50 mins	2
Speaking	17 mins	4

Related Articles

• 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, 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:

• 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