Choosing the wrong English test can cost you time and money, or even make your score unusable for your visa. Here's how the four most popular tests compare and how to decide.
Quick comparison
| IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper or computer; face-to-face speaking | Computer, AI-scored | Computer | Online, adaptive, at home |
| Duration | ~2 hr 45 min | ~2 hours | Under 2 hours | ~1 hour |
| Score scale | Band 0–9 | 10–90 | 0–120 (+1–6 band) | 10–160 |
| Results | ~3–5 days (computer) | Usually within 48 hrs | ~4–8 days | ~2 days |
| Best known for | UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland | Australia, NZ, UK | USA | US & Canadian admissions |
| PR / migration use | Widely accepted | Widely accepted (PTE Core for Canada) | Some (e.g. Australia) | Generally not |
IELTS: the all-rounder
IELTS is accepted by a wide range of universities and governments. The speaking test is a live conversation with an examiner, which many students find more natural than speaking to a computer. Choose IELTS for UKVI if your UK visa requires a Secure English Language Test.
PTE Academic: fast and computer-based
PTE suits students who are comfortable with computers and want results quickly. Its integrated tasks (for example, "Read Aloud" and "Repeat Sentence") test several skills at once, and practice with the specific question types makes a big difference.
TOEFL iBT: the US favourite
TOEFL is the traditional choice for US universities and is widely accepted elsewhere. ETS updated the test with a shorter format and an additional 1–6 score scale from 2026, so check how your target universities state their requirements.
Duolingo English Test: convenient, but check acceptance
Duolingo is affordable, short and taken from home, and many US, Canadian and Irish universities accept it. However, it is not generally accepted for visa or PR purposes, so confirm that every university and visa pathway on your shortlist accepts it.
How to choose: 4 questions
- Where are you going? Check each university's accepted tests and minimum sub-scores.
- Do you need it for a visa or PR? PR applications often require specific tests, such as IELTS General or CELPIP for Canada PR.
- How quickly do you need results? PTE and Duolingo offer the fastest results.
- What suits your strengths? Prefer speaking with a person? Try IELTS. Type quickly and feel comfortable with computers? Try PTE.
Tip: Take a free diagnostic test in both IELTS and PTE formats before deciding. Many students score noticeably higher on one test than on the other. Book a free demo class.