IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo: Which test you should take; www.ielts.org
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 both 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 15,500 |
| TOEFL | – TOEFL PBT (TOEFL Paper-based Test)- TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet-based Test) | Educational Testing Service (ETS) | US$190 |
| PTE | – PTE Academic- General
– Young Learner Test |
Pearson PLC Group | INR 14,700 |
| Duolingo (DET) | Duolingo Academic | Duolingo | $49 |
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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 |
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 |
‘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, the 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.
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