IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE: Which English Test to Take?

Basis	IELTS	TOEFL	DET	PTE
Conducting body	IDP Education Ltd.	Educational Testing Services	Duolingo online learning platform	Pearson PLC Group
Test score range	0 - 9	0 - 120	0 - 160	10 - 90
Mean of accepted score	6.3	88	115	72
Duration	2 hours 45 minutes	1 hour 56 minutes	1 hour	2 hours
Result declaration (online)	3 - 5 days after test	6 - 10 days after test (exact date will be given right after the test)	Within 48 hours of completing the test	Online within 2 days of completion
Cost	16,250 INR (187 USD)	15,750 INR (190 USD)	4030 INR (49 USD)	15,900 INR (193 USD)
Assessment mechanism	Manual	Manual	Automated	Automated
Versions	Academic General Training	TOEFL PBT ( Paper-based Test) TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test)	Duolingo Academic	PTE Academic General Young Learner Test

IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE: Conducting Bodies     

• IELTS is one of the most recognized English proficiency tests that is widely accepted in all the universities. This test is currently being conducted by IDP Education Ltd in India. Before it, this was used to be conducted by British Council and IDP Education Ltd in partnership. IELTS was introduced back in 1989.
• TOEFL came into existence in 1964 and is now being conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS). This is a test that is preferred when it comes to American universities. With the latest update, its registration process has become easier as well. 
• PTE is much newer as compared to the above two mentioned tests. This test was started in 2009 and acts as a legit English proficiency test for studying abroad in some universities. This test is considered to be the easiest among all the English proficiency which are available for international students from non-English speaking native countries.
• Duolingo English Test (DET) is the test that has currently gained a lot of popularity, especially during the pandemic times because of its convenience to take the test from home. This test was introduced in 2011. This test is conducted by Duolingo online learning platform and when compared for cost and duration this test costs the least and is associated with the shortest duration of the test.

 

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IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE: Mode of exam

All these tests are conducted in different modes which can be chosen by the candidate as per their convenience.

IELTS: This is conducted in two modes.

• Computer-Delivered IELTS tests - this was introduced back in 2017 in which you have to type the answers on the boxes provided. For this test, you have to go to the IELTS test centers. The 4 sections that are in this test are writing, reading, listening, and speaking. 
• Paper-based IELTS test - for this test you will have to write the answers on paper and then submit them to the invigilator.

 

TOEFL: The two modes in which TOEFL is conducted are

• TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) - this is conducted at an offline location where there is no availability of internet. This has three sections - reading, writing, and listening.
• TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) - this is an internet-based test that measures individuals against 4 criteria (sections) that are reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It is the most preferred mode of TOEFL, almost 97% of people prefer this mode.

 

DET: This is conducted in only online mode.

• Online DET - the Duolingo application can be downloaded to a personal computer or laptop and the candidate can take the test at the convenience of home. There are some basic requirements like having a stable internet connection, speakers, video camera, and more that needs to be fulfilled in order to take this without any interruptions.

 

PTE: There are two different versions of the tests but both versions are conducted via online medium. The two versions are:

• PTE Academics - PTE Academic is the major online test that you can undertake if you are planning to work or study abroad. This can be used as proof of English language proficiency.
• PTE General - PTE General is only conducted for rewarding brilliant achievements in English language learning and is not used as an English proficiency test.

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IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE: Exam format and duration

The main motive for all these tests is to analyze your English proficiency so that you can study abroad. In a broad sense, all these tests evaluate 4 sections for understanding your English proficiency which are reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The patterns for the tests are different from each other. 

IELTS: This test has in total of 4 sections which need to be completed in 2 hours and 45 minutes in total.

• Reading - this section consists of three long essays which lead to 40 different questions in total that need to be answered in 60 minutes. 
• Writing - one needs to write 150 words based on the visual description in 20 minutes and 250 words on provided argument/problem/viewpoint in 60 minutes. 
• Listening - four recordings are played from which in total 40 questions are asked. This section has a time limit of 40 minutes.
• Speaking - this section is divided into three parts, Invigilator asks three questions that need to be answered.

 

TOEFL: This test also consists of the same four sections just like IELTS. The difference is the pattern in which these sections are further divided. The cumulative time limit for this test is 3 hours.

• Reading - in this, the individual has to read 2 - 3 passages and then a total of 20 questions need to be answered based on the read passages. The time limit for the test is in between 35 minutes.
• Writing - one writing for an academic discussion question will be there which needs to be answered. Approx 20 minutes is allocated for this section.
• Listening - in this section, 2 - 3 conversations and lectures are shown each and then based on it questions are asked 28 questions are asked. The total time limit for this section is approx 36 minutes. 
• Speaking - this section consists of one independent speaking test and 3 small dependent speaking tests. The time limit for the same is 15 - 20 minutes.

 

DET: This test can be completed in 60 minutes. This also evaluates the candidates' ability in 4 main criteria that are speaking, writing, listening, and reading. But inline IELTS and TOEFL this is an adaptive computer-based test and consists of 3 sections overall.

• Introduction section - in this the officials of Duolinog help you with the overview of the test and help to set you up with all the necessary devices.
• Adaptive Test - this is the main section that evaluates the 4 key skills of English communication. This is called adaptive because with every correct answer the next question gets difficult and with every wrong answer the next question gets easy.
• Video Interview - this is an ungraded section in which you need to provide answers to open-ended questions verbally which are recorded. 

 

PTE: This test is divided into 3 sections which need to be completed in 2 hours.

• Speaking and Writing section - there are in total of 28 - 36 questions in this section for which a total time of 55 - 65 minutes is given. The questions may include, self-introduction, reading aloud, repeating sentences, essay writing, summary writing, and more.
• Reading section - this section is further divided into 5 segments that need to be attempted based on the understanding of the reading material. The section are: fill in the blanks, MCQs, Re-order, MCQs with multiple answers, and fill in the blanks in another style. 
• Listening section - this section consists of 12 - 20 different types of questions that need to be attempted in 30 - 45 minutes. The question can be - summarize the spoken, fill in the blanks, MCQs, select missing words, highlight the wrong word, and more

 

IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs PTE: Score comparison 

Each of the tests (IELTS, TOEFL, DET, and PTE) uses a different scale to measure scores. IELTS scores are measured on a 9-band scale in each section. PTE measures scores on a scale of 10 to 90 for both communicative and enabling skills, as well as individual scores. TOEFL has four sections, each with a maximum score of 30, resulting in a total score of 120. Duolingo test scored out of 160 marks in total. 

Below is the score comparison for all of these tests -