Duolingo English Test vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Should You Take?

Three Tests, Very Different Experiences

Choosing the right English proficiency test can save you time, money, and stress. IELTS, TOEFL, and the Duolingo English Test (DET) all prove English ability, but they differ dramatically in format, cost, availability, and acceptance. Picking the wrong test could mean wasted preparation time or limited university options.

Quick Comparison Table

IELTS: $245 | 2 hours 45 min | Paper or computer | Accepted by 11,500+ orgs | Results in 3–5 days (computer) or 13 days (paper)

TOEFL iBT: $200 | 2 hours | Computer only | Accepted by 12,000+ orgs | Results in 4–8 days

Duolingo English Test: $65 | 1 hour | Online from home | Accepted by 5,000+ orgs | Results in 2 days

IELTS: The Global Standard

IELTS is the most widely accepted English test worldwide and is the default choice for the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and most European countries. It comes in two versions: Academic (for university admissions) and General Training (for immigration and work visas). You almost certainly want Academic.

Format: Listening (30 min), Reading (60 min), Writing (60 min), Speaking (11–14 min with a real examiner). The speaking section is a face-to-face conversation, which some students find more natural than speaking into a microphone.

Best for: UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and European applications. Also preferred by most scholarship programs including Chevening, DAAD, and Commonwealth Scholarships.

Score equivalents: 6.0 = B2 (competent), 6.5 = upper B2 (most programs), 7.0 = C1 (competitive programs), 7.5+ = advanced C1 (top-tier programs).

Read our complete IELTS preparation guide for section-by-section strategies and a 30-day study plan.

TOEFL iBT: The American Standard

TOEFL is the preferred test for US and Canadian universities. It is entirely computer-based, including the speaking section (you speak into a microphone rather than to a person).

Format: Reading (35 min), Listening (36 min), Speaking (16 min), Writing (29 min). TOEFL recently shortened the test from 3.5 hours to 2 hours, making it much more manageable.

Best for: US university applications (where TOEFL is often the default), some Canadian programs, and students who prefer computer-based testing.

Score equivalents: 72–94 = B2, 95–113 = C1, 114–120 = C2. Most US universities require 80–100 for admission.

Advantage over IELTS: The new shorter format (2 hours vs 2.75 hours for IELTS) reduces fatigue. The integrated tasks (read + listen + speak/write) test academic skills more holistically.

Duolingo English Test: The Disruptor

The DET exploded in popularity during the pandemic when test centers closed, and it has maintained momentum because of its convenience and low cost. You take it at home on your computer, it costs a quarter of IELTS/TOEFL, and results come back in 48 hours.

Format: Adaptive test (difficulty adjusts to your level) + video interview + writing sample. The adaptive format means the test gets harder or easier based on your answers, which some find unsettling but actually produces accurate scores faster.

Best for: Students on a tight budget, last-minute test needs, or when no IELTS/TOEFL test center is nearby. Increasingly accepted by top universities including Yale, Columbia, NYU, UCL, and many Canadian and Australian institutions.

Caution: Not yet accepted by all universities or scholarship programs. Always check your target institution's specific requirements before choosing DET. Most UK universities and many European programs still require IELTS or TOEFL specifically.

Score equivalents: 100 ≈ IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 72. 120 ≈ IELTS 7.0/TOEFL 95. 130 ≈ IELTS 7.5/TOEFL 105.

Which Test Should YOU Take?

Take IELTS if: You are applying to UK, Australian, Canadian, or European universities. Your target scholarship requires IELTS specifically. You prefer speaking to a real person. You want the most universally accepted test.

Take TOEFL if: You are primarily targeting US universities. You prefer computer-based testing. You like the shorter 2-hour format. Your target programs prefer or require TOEFL.

Take DET if: Budget is a major concern ($65 vs $200–245). You need results quickly (2 days vs 5–13 days). No test center is convenient. Your target universities explicitly accept DET. You want to take the test multiple times affordably to improve your score.

Pro tip: Many universities accept multiple tests. Check each program's requirements on ScholyHub before deciding. If a program accepts all three, choose the one you will score highest on based on your strengths.

Your Next Steps

Find free preparation resources on our Resources page. Once you have your score, use our AI Study Match to find programs and scholarships that fit your profile.

Check University Requirements

Not sure which test your target university accepts? Browse universities on ScholyHub to check their specific English language requirements.

Find free test preparation resources in our curated resources section.

Use our AI Match to find programs based on the English test you've already taken.