Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL – Which Test Should You Take Overview
Updated on 27 February, 2024
Anupriya Mukherjee
Sr. Content Writer
)Testing, testing, in the hall, which is the best English language proficiency test of all? Are you also looking for the best English language test to study abroad? Then you should delve deeper into this Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL article. All the three tests assess your Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing skills. Choose the right test, prove your English language proficiency, and ace your admissions into reputed universities worldwide for undergraduate or postgraduate programs.
Table of Contents
What is IELTS
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the world’s premier English language proficiency tests, which is conducted by the British Council in association with Cambridge Assessment English and IDP Education. It measures your proficiency to write, read, listen, and speak the English language.
What is TOEFL
TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is another premier English language proficiency test. It is a two-hour test that evaluates your four skills: writing, listening, speaking, and reading. It is conducted by the ETS (Educational Testing Service). TOEFL offers four different ways to attempt the exam, which includes internet based test (iBT), iBT paper edition, and iBT home edition. The test is regarded as one of the foremost such tests, the scores of which are accepted by leading institutions worldwide.
What is Duolingo English Test
DET or Duolingo English Test is an increasingly accepted test of language proficiency. It can be completed in an hour while the results are available within only two days. This is a computer-adaptive examination where the difficulty levels and sequences of questions keep changing for every test session and test-taker.
Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Highlights
| Parameter | IELTS | TOEFL | Duolingo English Test |
| Exam Fees | INR 17,000 | INR 17,022 | INR 4,899 |
| Exam Date Availability | Up to four test dates monthly; a total of 48 testing dates annually | More than 170 times annually | Can be taken anywhere and anytime |
| Exam Structure | Listening- 40 questions Reading- 40 questions Writing- Two tasks Speaking- Three parts |
Reading- 20 questions Speaking- Four tasks Listening- 28 questions Writing- Two tasks |
Introduction and Onboarding Adaptive Test Writing Sample and Speaking Sample |
| Exam Duration | Listening- Approx 30 minutes + 10 minutes of transfer time Reading- 60 minutes Writing- 60 minutes Speaking- 11 to 14 minutes |
Reading- 35 minutes Speaking- 16 minutes Listening- 36 minutes Writing- 29 minutes |
Introduction and Onboarding- 5 minutes Adaptive Test- 45 minutes Writing Sample and Speaking Sample- 10 minutes |
| Scoring | Band score for each test section between 0-9 Overall band score of 0-9 after accounting for section scores |
Four scaled scores of 0-30 (each section) These are added for the total score between 0 and 120
|
Score reporting is done on a 10-160 band for each section. The four sub-scores are accounted for an overall band score between 10-160 |
| Test Requirements | 16+ years of age | There is no age limit. Those who are 15 years of age or below should be accompanied by their parents or other adults of the age of 18 or higher at the test center | There are no age limits |
| Test Recognition | Accepted by 12,000+ institutions/organizations in 140+ countries worldwide | Accepted globally by more than 12,500 institutions | Accepted by 5,000+ institutions and universities globally |
| Mode of Examination | Paper-based/online | Paper-based/internet-based | Online |
| Result | After 3-5 days for computer test and 13 days for paper-based version | 4-8 days after the online test and 11-13 days after the paper-based test | Within 2 days |
IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo – which one should you choose? Each of these tests has its own advantages and special. You should opt for an English language proficiency test depending on the eligibility criteria and requirements of the institutions where you wish to apply.
FAQs
Which is better – IELTS or Duolingo?
Both these tests have their own benefits and features. IELTS and Duolingo both assess your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in the English language. IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 organizations or institutions in more than 140 countries. Duolingo is accepted by more than 5,000 universities and institutions worldwide. Choose as per the requirements of the institution which you are applying to.
Is Duolingo accepted in the US?
Yes, several institutions in the US accept the Duolingo English Test, and it is also accepted for visa approval by the Government of the country. A score of 100-120 is helpful in terms of gaining admission into several US-based institutions.
Is Duolingo harder than IELTS?
It is difficult to say which test is harder or easier. Duolingo tests basic vocabulary and grammar skills while IELTS goes deeper into reading, speaking, writing and listening. Both tests may be easy or hard for aspirants, depending on their proficiency levels.
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Important Exams
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