IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo English Test: Which Should You Take?

If you are applying to study in English, you will probably need to prove it, and the main choices are IELTS, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test. They test the same broad skill in different ways. Some universities accept all three, some accept two and some, particularly where visas are involved, accept only one or two. The right test is the one your target institution accepts and the one on which you can do your best.

This guide compares the three on format, scoring, acceptance and visa issues. Test providers update formats, fees and policies often, so treat this as a map and confirm details on official sites.

The short version

Check each provider's official page for current timings and formats.

IELTS

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. The Academic version is used for university admission.

• Listening: about 30 minutes, with 40 questions in four parts.
• Reading: 60 minutes, 40 questions, three long texts.
• Writing: 60 minutes, two tasks, one describing data or a process and one essay.
• Speaking: an 11 to 14 minute face-to-face conversation with an examiner.

The test is scored in bands from 0 to 9, with half bands, and you receive a band for each skill and an overall band. IELTS is available on paper or on computer, depending on location, and test providers have been expanding computer delivery, with timelines varying by country. For some UK visa routes, you need the IELTS for UKVI version taken at an approved center, so check the immigration requirements for your case.

Strengths: widely accepted, human speaking test, a consistent format. Limits: fixed test dates in some places, longer test day and the need to travel to a center.

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL, from ETS, is widely used in the United States, Canada and many other countries. ETS announced changes to the test beginning in January 2026. Reported changes include adaptive Reading and Listening sections, new task types that reflect academic communication and a scoring change that adds a 1 to 6 scale aligned with the CEFR, with the familiar 0 to 120 scores reported during a transition period of about two years.

Because the test is changing, check ets.org for the latest sections, timing and score reporting before you prepare. Many guides online describe the older format. Our guide to how to prepare for TOEFL explains how to prepare.

Strengths: wide acceptance, especially in North America, with fast results reported by ETS. Limits: the format has changed, so older materials may be out of date, and the speaking section is recorded and not interactive.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test, often called DET, is an online, adaptive test taken at home on a computer with a camera and microphone. Question difficulty adjusts as you answer. It includes tasks such as reading and selecting real words, listening and typing what you hear, speaking, writing and short video responses that institutions can see. Scores range from 10 to 160.

It takes around an hour, is usually cheaper than the other two and results arrive quickly. Many universities accept it, but acceptance is not universal. According to sources we checked, several top institutions and some countries' immigration systems do not accept it. In particular, the United Kingdom requires an approved Secure English Language Test for many visa routes, and Duolingo is not on the approved list. Check the university and the government site. Our guide to the Duolingo English Test explained covers the format.

Strengths: convenience, speed and lower cost. Limits: not accepted everywhere, no live examiner and technical requirements at home.

Other tests

Some universities also accept PTE Academic, Cambridge English qualifications and other tests. See our guides on PTE Academic and Cambridge English exams.

Scores compared

Tests use different scales, and universities publish their own conversion tables. Rough alignments circulate online, but these are indicative only. Use the institution's own table and your target level, which is usually stated per test, such as an overall band and minimums for each skill. Some programs require higher scores for subjects with heavy writing, such as law or education.

How to choose

1. Check requirements first. Which tests do your universities and your visa accept?
2. Check score validity and any minimum for each skill.
3. Consider your strengths. Do you prefer speaking to a person or to a screen? Do you type faster than you write by hand?
4. Consider logistics. Is a test center nearby? Do you have a reliable computer and connection for an online test?
5. Consider cost and timing. When do you need the score, and how soon can you sit the test?
6. Take a practice test for each option, and compare how you feel.

If you are applying to many universities, choose the test with the widest acceptance, which is often IELTS or TOEFL.

Visa considerations

Visa requirements are separate from admission. Some countries require a specific, government-approved test for certain visas, and your university's acceptance does not always cover the visa. In the UK, for instance, a Secure English Language Test may be needed unless you meet an exemption, such as certain degrees taught in English. Check official government immigration pages and your university's international office, not just test providers' websites.

Preparing

Whichever test you choose, preparation matters.

• Use official practice materials from the test provider.
• Learn the format so that the tasks are not a surprise.
• Practice under timed conditions.
• Work on your weakest skill, since many universities set minimums for each.
• Get feedback on speaking and writing from a teacher or tutor.
• Build daily reading and listening habits in English.

Our guide to how to prepare for IELTS covers a step-by-step plan.

Cost, scheduling and retakes

Fees, test dates and policies change and vary by country, so compare them on the official sites at the time you plan to book. In general, IELTS and TOEFL require booking a session, sometimes weeks ahead in busy periods, while the Duolingo English Test can be taken at home at short notice. Think about retakes: if you miss your target on one skill, how soon can you sit again, and can you retake a single skill? Build in time between your first attempt and your application deadline.

What to do if you have already taken a test

If you already have a valid score, check whether the institutions on your list accept it, and when it expires. Do not pay for a second test only because a guide says another is better. If your score is close to the requirement but short in one skill, targeted preparation for that skill may be quicker than starting again from scratch.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a test before checking acceptance.
• Using outdated materials, especially for TOEFL.
• Assuming a university's acceptance covers a visa.
• Booking too late, with no time to retake.
• Ignoring skill minimums.
• Not practicing the real format.
• Taking an online test without testing equipment.

A quick checklist

• Which tests does each university accept?
• Does my visa require a specific test?
• What scores and skill minimums do I need?
• Have I taken practice tests?
• Have I allowed time for a retake?
• Do I have the equipment and space I need?

Final thoughts

There is no universally best test, only the best test for your situation. Start with what your university and visa accept, then choose the format that suits you, practice the real tasks and give yourself time for a retake. Check official sources before you pay, because formats and policies keep changing.