IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: which test should you take?
All four prove your English, but universities don't treat them the same. How the tests differ, who each one suits, and how to choose before you pay for a test.
By Hope Services5 min read
Every English test on this list is accepted somewhere, and none is accepted everywhere. The right test for you is the one your target universities accept, in a format you perform well in, with a result that arrives in time. Choosing on price alone, or because a cousin passed it, is how students end up paying for two tests.
Start with what your universities accept
Before you compare tests, open the admission requirements for every programme on your shortlist and write down:
- which English tests it accepts,
- the minimum overall score, and any minimum for individual sections,
- how recent the result must be,
- whether it accepts a letter confirming your degree was taught in English instead.
A requirement such as "IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0" is common, and the section minimum matters as much as the overall score. If even one university on your list accepts only IELTS or TOEFL, that usually settles the question.
The four tests at a glance
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Test centre, on paper or computer | Test centre, or at home | Test centre, on computer | At home, online |
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner | Recorded into a microphone | Recorded into a microphone | Recorded into a microphone |
| Score scale | Bands 0 to 9 | 1 to 6, alongside the older 0 to 120 | 10 to 90 | 10 to 160 |
| Results | A few days on computer, around two weeks on paper | Within about a week | Usually within two days | Usually within two days |
IELTS
IELTS is the safest choice if you're applying to several countries, because it's the test most universities list first.
It suits you if you speak more naturally to a person than to a microphone, or you'd rather write by hand, since the paper-based test is still offered.
Watch out for the Writing section. It has two timed tasks in 60 minutes, marked on how fully you answer the task, how well your writing is organised, and the range and accuracy of your vocabulary and grammar. Students who read well often lose marks here simply because they haven't practised writing essays against the clock.
Our IELTS course runs Monday to Friday for one month, with two-hour classes and mock tests under exam conditions.
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL is taken entirely on a computer, and its tasks are built around university lectures and campus situations.
It suits you if you type comfortably and follow long academic listening passages well.
Watch out for the score scale. ETS updated the TOEFL iBT in January 2026, including a new 1 to 6 scale reported alongside the familiar 0 to 120. Many universities still publish requirements on the older scale, so check which one a requirement uses, and ask the admissions office if it isn't clear. If you take the home edition, read the room and equipment rules before you book.
PTE Academic
PTE is a computer-based test scored by automated systems, and it's known for fast results.
It suits you if you need a score quickly, or you want the option to book a test, or a resit, at fairly short notice.
Watch out for timing and delivery. Because the scoring is automated, pronunciation, fluency and finishing each task within its time limit carry real weight. Long pauses and unclear speech cost marks even when your English is good.
Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test takes about an hour, is taken at home, and is usually the cheapest of the four.
It suits you if every university on your list accepts it and you can sit the test alone in a quiet room with a reliable computer.
Watch out for acceptance and test-day conditions. Fewer universities in Europe accept Duolingo than IELTS or TOEFL, so confirm with each programme before you book. The test is recorded and reviewed, and breaking a rule, such as looking away from the screen or someone walking into the room, can invalidate your result.
Plan for load-shedding
If you take a test at home, use a laptop with a fully charged battery or a UPS, and test your internet connection at the same time of day as your booking. A dropped connection can end the test.
Four mistakes that cost students an intake
- Booking before checking. Paying for a test your chosen university doesn't accept.
- Missing a section minimum. A strong overall score doesn't help if one section is half a band short.
- Letting the result expire. Most universities accept results up to two years old. Check that your score will still be valid when you apply, and again for your visa appointment.
- Skipping a full practice test. Sitting the real test without first doing a complete, timed practice in the same format, whether on paper, computer or at home.
Leave room for a resit
Don't book your only attempt close to a deadline. If one section comes in below the minimum, you want time to take the test again before applications close.
Can you skip the test altogether?
Sometimes. If your bachelors was taught in English, some European universities accept a medium of instruction letter from your university instead of a test score. Policies differ from one programme to the next, so get confirmation in writing from the admissions office before you rely on it. Our checklist of documents for German university applications covers what else to prepare.
If you're still unsure which test your shortlist needs, start with a free assessment. Our test preparation courses cover IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and the Duolingo English Test.
