IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo. Which Language Proficiency Test Should You Take?

Yes, not every English proficiency test is accepted in all nations. With the options of IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo, it is only wise to consider your end goal and choose the one that fits the best.

Some such factors may include the country you are applying to, the difficulty level, the price, the wait time, and many more.  

US vs. UK vs. Canada vs. Australia. Which Country Do You Want To Go To?

Generally, all four tests, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo, are accepted worldwide. However, TOEFL & Duolingo are accepted chiefly in US universities while IELTS and PTE are in the UK, Canada, and Australia.

Having said that, we also have to check university/college requirements to determine which English language proficiency test is specifically required for the admission process.

For example, some Canadian colleges like Ascenda College of Management and Arbutus College don't accept Duolingo. But, a US university like Harvard accepts Duolingo. Therefore, more than country, it depends on university policy which helps you decide which test you can take.

Scoring vs. Language Building. What's Your Goal?

Taking about difficulty level, IELTS and TOEFL are more difficult to score than PTE and Duolingo.

IELTS and TOEFL require comparatively more consistent practice and preparation before the tests. For instance, only two tasks are allotted in the writing section of IELTS. If you mess up even one task, you will have to see your score not only on the writing section but on the overall IELTS test go down like a falling star with a crybaby face. It is similar in the case of TOEFL too.

So, mock tests and practice come in handy. Book our mock tests for one-on-one test analysis and feedback>>>

Moving on to the case of PTE, scores will not be affected because you will get 20 tasks in total, which is plenty. Even if you mess up in one, you will have a sufficient chance to cover up your overall score throughout the test.

Lastly, since Duolingo is an adaptive test, the questions will change in difficulty as per the candidate's performance, so scores are bound to improve.

If your primary goal is to get a maximum score, opt for PTE and Duolingo because it is easy, as explained above. But, if you genuinely want to improve and build your English language, feel like you can take up the challenge, and add an extra skillset to your portfolio, you can always choose IELTS and TOEFL over Duolingo and PTE.

Tech-Savvy vs. People-Friendly. What Are You?

Suppose you are people-friendly and have no problem speaking with the examiner face-to-face. In that case, you may prefer IELTS because even if you choose computer-based IELTS, you will have to meet your examiner for your speaking test.

On the other hand, if you are a tech-savvy person and don't want to visit test centers, you might like to choose Duolingo and TOEFL. Adding on to a piece of good news, you can take these tests at any time of the day, be it 3 am or 3 pm, and anywhere, be it your home or not your home, all at your convenience.

However, in the case of PTE, even though it is a computer-based test, you will have to visit test centers. There are two PTE test centers in Nepal, Alpha Beta and British College.

13 Days vs. 24 Hours. How Long Can You Wait?

The longest wait time among all English language proficiency tests is that of IELTS, which is 13 days because the scores are allotted by the test centers and the test designer, Cambridge University.

Likewise, you will have to wait for 2 to 5 days to get your PTE results, whereas, for TOEFL, the wait time is between 6 to 10 days.

On the contrary, you will only have to wait between 24 hours to 72 hours to get results for your Duolingo test. So, If you want to get your results quickly, Duolingo is the way to go.

Expensive vs. Cheap. What Do You Prefer?

When we talk about the cost factor, we mean the test along with cancellation and postponement fees.

Talking about test fees only, paper-based IELTS costs Rs. 29,500, and computer-based IELTS will cost Rs. 27,100 today. Likewise, TOEFL costs $190 and Duolingo costs Rs. 8,500.

If you want to cancel or postpone the IELTS test 5 weeks before the exam, the IELTS test center will refund you after a 25% reduction of your fee. However, in the case of TOEFL, you can reschedule your test date ... days before the exam but cannot cancel it nor will you get a refund.

In the case of PTE, you will be refunded 50% of your fee if you cancel your test 7 days prior to the exam date. Therefore, while choosing the appropriate test, make sure you do your cost calculation as well.

To sum up, deciding which English language proficiency test to take depends mainly on your university's requirement for the language proficiency test. We recommend you check it before applying to any university of your choice.

Bonus

The comparison of IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo based on varied parameters is tabulated below for you to make an informed decision.