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IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: A Complete Comparison Guide

ielts-vs-toefl-vs-pte-vs-oet

Confused about English tests for studying abroad? Our detailed guide provides a detailed comparison of IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo English Test formats, costs, and acceptance to help Filipino students choose the best exam.

Whether you are aiming for the USA, Canada, the UK, or Australia, English proficiency tests are necessary for university admissions and visa applications. Among the most popular choices are IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and the Duolingo English Test.
This guide on IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo empowers you to make an informed choice by comparing these four tests across key factors like test format, scoring system, cost, global acceptance, and suitability. Your decision will be instrumental in shaping your study abroad journey.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Exam Overview

For students in the Philippines intending to pursue higher education abroad, demonstrating English language proficiency is a fundamental requirement for both university admission and, crucially, for obtaining a student visa. The following examinations are widely recognised, each with specific details regarding their format, the bodies that administer them, their popularity among universities, and their acceptance for student visa applications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

The IELTS Academic examination offers both paper-based and computer-based options and is recognised globally. It notably includes a face-to-face Speaking section with a live examiner.

  • IELTS Conducting Body: The IELTS exam is jointly owned and managed by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge English.
  • IELTS Accepting Universities: The IELTS exam is globally accepted by over 12,000 organisations in more than 140 countries. This includes broad popularity across universities in major study destinations such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Germany.
  • IELTS Student Visa Acceptance: The IELTS is widely accepted for student visa applications in numerous countries including the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For the USA, whilst the government does not explicitly require it for the F-1 student visa, individual universities do, and visa officers may request to see the scores that demonstrate the required proficiency for the chosen institution.

TOEFL

The TOEFL iBT is an Internet-based Test primarily focused on an academic context and is widely preferred in the USA.

  • TOEFL Conducting Body: The TOEFL iBT is developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
  • TOEFL Accepting Universities: It is trusted by over 13,000 institutions worldwide in more than 160 countries. Whilst accepted globally, it is particularly preferred by universities in the USA and Canada, and is also broadly accepted in the UK, Australia, and numerous European nations.
  • TOEFL Student Visa Acceptance: TOEFL iBT scores are widely accepted by visa-issuing authorities for student visas in over 160 countries. For the USA, if your chosen university accepts TOEFL, your score will generally be sufficient for your F-1 student visa application. It is also accepted for student visas in Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and various European countries, often meeting the English language requirements set by immigration departments, alongside university admission requirements.

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

The PTE Academic is a fully computer-based test, utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scoring to ensure impartial results and offering swift score delivery.

  • PTE Conducting Body: The PTE Academic examination is a product of the Pearson PLC Group.
  • PTE Accepting Universities: The PTE Academic is accepted by over 3,500 universities and colleges globally. This includes very high acceptance rates in universities across the UK (99%), Australia (100%), New Zealand (100%), Canada (98%), and over 1,000 institutions in the USA.
  • PTE Student Visa Acceptance: PTE Academic is highly trusted by the governments of Canada, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand for student visa applications. Specifically, PTE Academic UKVI is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by the UK Home Office for student visa purposes. Its rapid results can be particularly beneficial for student visa application timelines.

Duolingo English Test (DET)

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an affordable and entirely online examination known for its swift results, though it has more limited direct visa acceptance compared to other tests.

  • DET Conducting Body: The Duolingo English Test (DET) is developed and administered by Duolingo.
  • Duolingo Accepted Universities: The Duolingo English Test is accepted by over 5,700+ programmes in 110+ countries. Its popularity in universities is particularly strong in the United States (with over 2,500 accepting institutions), and it is also widely accepted by universities in Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. Whilst some universities in the UK and Australia accept it, acceptance is not as universal as with other tests.
  • Duolingo Student Visa Acceptance: DET scores are generally accepted for student visas in the USA, Canada, UK (often subject to the university's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies - CAS requirements, where the university vouches for your English), and New Zealand. For these countries, if your university accepts DET for admission, it often suffices for the student visa process. However, its direct acceptance for student visas by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is generally not the norm, though some Australian universities accept it for admission, which may sometimes be part of a student visa pathway through certain university arrangements.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Overview

Features

IELTS Academic

TOEFL iBT

PTE Academic

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Conducting Body

British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge English

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Pearson PLC Group

Duolingo

University Acceptance

Over 12,000 organisations in more than 140 countries. Broad popularity.

Over 13,000 institutions worldwide in more than 160 countries. 

Over 3,500 universities and colleges globally,

Over 5,700+ programs in 110+ countries.

Visa Acceptance

Widely accepted in numerous countries.

Widely accepted by visa-issuing authorities in over 160 countries.

Highly trusted by governments for student visa applications.

Generally accepted for student visas in USA, Canada, UK and NZ

Popular Countries

USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany

USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, various European countries

UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA

USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK

Whilst these examinations are broadly accepted for student visas, it is crucial for applicants to always verify the specific English language proficiency requirements of their chosen university programme and the exact student visa category they are pursuing, as these requirements can vary by institution, programme level, and are subject to change by immigration authorities.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo Exam Fee

English language test fees can vary by location and currency conversion, but here is the cost of English language tests as per their official website.

English Language Exam

Mode of Exam

Language Test Fee

IELTS Academic Fee

(IDP and British Council)

On Computer

On Paper

PHP 13,100

PHP 13,100

TOEFL iBT Fee

Computer Based Test

US $250

PHP 14,310 (approx)

PTE Academic Fee

Computer Based Test

US $230

PHP 13,200 (approx)

Duolingo English Test (DET) Fee

Computer Based Test

One Test: US $59

Two Tests: US $100

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is notably the most affordable option amongst the selection. However, candidates should be aware of its comparatively limited student visa acceptance, particularly for destinations like Australia, where it is generally not accepted by immigration authorities. The IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are in the same price range and are widely accepted for both university admissions and student visa applications across major study destinations.

It is important for Filipino students to note that whilst the stated figures represent base fees, opting for late registration, changes to test dates or centres, or requesting express test delivery would incur additional charges for all these examinations, which would be added to the initial test fee.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Format and Structure Comparison

Each English proficiency test evaluates core language skills through four ways of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, but their format, length, and interactivity vary greatly.

Feature

IELTS Academic

TOEFL iBT

PTE Academic

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Sections

Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing

Speaking & Writing (integrated), Reading, Listening

Adaptive questions + video interview + writing sample

Duration

2 hours and 45 minutes

Under 2 hours

2 Hours

1 Hour

Question Types

Multiple choice, short answers, form/note/table/flow-chart completion, essay, description

Integrated tasks, essays, listening-based questions, multi-choice, reordering

AI-scored; Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Summarise, Essay, Fill-in-blanks

Adaptive multi-choice, audio/typing, image description, spoken/written responses, interactive scenarios

Speaking Format

Face-to-face with human examiner

Recorded via computer (AI & human scored)

AI-based via computer (AI scored)

Recorded video & audio answers

Mode

In-centre (Paper/ Computer)

In-centre (Internet-based); Home Edition (remote)

Fully Computer-based (in-centre)

Fully Online (remote, at home)

Interactivity Highlights

Live human interview; separate sections.

Academic tasks; integrated skills; all sections in one sitting.

Fully automated, AI-scored; integrated tasks; all sections in one sitting.

Highly interactive, adaptive difficulty; includes personal video interview & writing sample.

When comparing the formats and structures of these key English language proficiency examinations, several distinct features emerge. The IELTS Academic stands out as the only test to incorporate a live, face-to-face speaking session with a human examiner, which many candidates find offers a more natural and interactive assessment experience. In contrast, TOEFL iBT is renowned for its comprehensive nature, featuring integrated academic tasks that are particularly well-suited for those comfortable with typing and responding to listening-based questions; its design aims to simulate a university environment.

The PTE Academic is characterised by being fully automated and fast-paced, with integrated questions that efficiently test multiple skills concurrently, all assessed by Artificial Intelligence. Finally, the Duolingo English Test is the shortest and arguably the most interactive, as it is fully adaptive, meaning the difficulty adjusts in real-time based on a candidate's performance, and it includes a built-in video interview component.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Test Availability and Locations

  • IELTS Academic: Offered at multiple test centres worldwide, including the Philippines; available in both paper and computer-based formats.
  • TOEFL: The Internet-based test is available in most countries at official centres
  • PTE Academic: Conducted at Pearson-authorised centres in over 70 countries; computer-based only.
  • Duolingo English Test: Fully online - take it from home with a webcam and internet
Filipino students looking to take English language tests should note that test dates are available most days of the month except for public holidays. To accommodate the large number of test takers, test centres have multiple slots available in a day (up to 3) to book their English language exam.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo: Scoring Systems and Result Timelines

The scoring system for IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo English Test differs broadly. Understanding their scoring systems and result timelines would allow you to make a better decision for yourself.

Test

Score Range

How It Is Scored

Result Time

IELTS Academic

1.0-9.0 Bands

Human examiners score each section; the average band is calculated

3-5 days (computer-based)

13 days for paper based test

TOEFL iBT

0-120

Each section scored out of 30; the total adds up to 120

4 - 8 days

PTE Academic

10-90

AI-based scoring system; assesses accuracy, fluency

Within 2 days

Duolingo English Test

10-160

AI-scored adaptive test + video interview

2 days

How is Each One Scored?

The IELTS, OET, and TOEFL use human scorers, whereas the PTE uses automated scoring with no human raters.

Some students may prefer a real-person test and interpret their responses, while others feel comfortable with minimum subjective automatic scoring.

The speaking section of the IELTS includes an actual face-to-face conversation with a test proctor. Depending on your choice that can either be a more stressful experience or a more natural one than a computer-based test. 

Difference of Content

All three tests measure a student's speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities, but they do it in different ways.

The TOEFL is a typical American-style standardized test, containing two essays, six brief spoken responses, and many multiple-choice questions or fill-in-the-blanks.

The IELTS has almost the same format, with two essays, multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, and an oral interview.

Being the newest of the three, the PTE avoids a lot of typical standardized test formats. The test includes just one essay and about twenty different types of questions and tasks.

Since communication plays a major role in the healthcare sector, OET is designed to assess the speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills of health professionals. It provides a reliable assessment of all four skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) while emphasizing communication in healthcare professional settings. 

Cost of IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs OET Comparision

The specific cost of each test varies by country, but in the Philippines, the cost for TOEFL is $225 (13,921 PHP), for the PTE is $210 (11,900 PHP), IELTS is $210 (11,900 PHP) and for OET is $455 USD (26,100 PHP). These costs vary over time, reach out to our education counselors for up-to-date information on costs & test locations.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs OET - Results Comparision

When it comes to results, TOEFL scores are available after ten days, for IELTS within two weeks, and for the PTE within five working days of the test. The results of OET are available after 16 business days of the exam date. 

Wondering what to do after completing your English proficiency test? Explore our top courses to study abroad or just fill in the contact us form! Our AECC Global's expert counselors are here to guide you in helping you choose a course and institution that matches your career inspirations.

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