{"id":6850,"date":"2024-10-07T16:04:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T10:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mindler.com\/blog\/?p=6850"},"modified":"2024-10-07T16:01:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T10:31:54","slug":"toefl-vs-ielts-vs-duolingo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindler.com\/blog\/toefl-vs-ielts-vs-duolingo\/","title":{"rendered":"TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. Duolingo"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the age of globalisation, graduating with an international experience is an added feather in a student\u2019s cap. Be it for increased career prospects, exposure to diverse cultures, or the excitement of being independent, studying abroad has always fascinated students. Do you often think about getting educated abroad? Well, knowing the <\/span>Stages Involved In Studying Abroad<\/span><\/a> would make your experience a pleasant one.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to the requisites of the universities or academic institutes in native English-speaking countries, language proficiency plays a primary role. With the list of tests being long, you get tired of battling unanswered questions \u2013 \u201cShould I take up a language proficiency test? Is TOEFL better than IELTS? Or should I consider the Duolingo English Test?\u201d Well, if that is true, you have landed on the right page.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who Should Take the English Proficiency Test?<\/h3>\n

If you are a student aspiring to pursue higher education abroad, but English is not your native language, you are most likely required to take an English proficiency test to secure admission in native English-speaking countries. The test scores make a significant part of your application form.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, read about <\/span>How To Write A Statement Of Purpose<\/span><\/a>, which helps you with another crucial application component.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an international applicant, taking tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo proves your language proficiency. More often than not, it is confusing to choose from the list of tests that are suggested. This article comes with an in-depth analysis comparing the three widely taken tests \u2013 TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test. This comparison – TOEFL Vs. IELTS Vs. Duolingo – would clarify many questions and help you make an informed choice. Let us look at the highlights of each of the three tests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)<\/h3>\n
Inception<\/h5>\n

Designed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), TOEFL has been one of the widely taken language proficiency tests since 1964.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceptance<\/h5>\n

More than 11,000 universities across 150 countries accept the scores of TOEFL for their admissions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Structure<\/h5>\n

TOEFL is held as an Internet-Based Test (iBT ) and Paper-Based Test (PBT). While TOEFL \u2013 iBT measures the candidate for listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a duration of 3 hours, the TOEFL PBT assesses the listening, reading, and writing skills in 2 \u00bd hours.<\/span> It takes between 6 to 10 days for the results to get declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Fee<\/h5>\n

Taking TOEFL costs around $190 \u2013 $300, depending on the country. A candidate from India is charged $202 per attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

IELTS ( International English Language Testing System)<\/h3>\n

Inception<\/h5>\n

Established in 1980, IELTS is jointly managed by the IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English, and the British Council.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceptance<\/h5>\n

The IELTS test scores are accepted by over 10,000 academic institutions across 140 countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and Britain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Structure<\/h5>\n

IELTS is conducted in two types \u2013 The academic IELTS module and the General IELTS module. The candidate also has the option of choosing between the Internet-based test and the Paper-based test.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tests measure the<\/span> candidate for listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a time duration of 2 hours, 45 minutes (165 minutes). While the Computer-Based Test results are declared between 3\u20135 days, it takes around 13 days to get the Paper-Based Test results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Fee<\/h5>\n

The test fee for IELTS is $204.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Duolingo English Test<\/h3>\n

Inception<\/h5>\n

The recent inclusion to the list of English Proficiency Test is Duolingo English Test. The popular language-learning platform, Duolingo, has conducted it since 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acceptance<\/h5>\n

As per Duolingo, over 3000 institutions accept the Duolingo English Test scores across the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Structure<\/h5>\n

The test is conducted online, and it involves three parts \u2013 Quick Set-up, Adaptive test, and Video interview, all the three together taking an hour. The results are declared within 48 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Test Fee<\/h5>\n

The proficiency test costs an affordable $59.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. Duolingo<\/h3>\n

Let us make the comparison easier using the table below.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/b><\/td>\nTOEFL<\/b><\/td>\nIELTS<\/b><\/td>\nDuolingo English Test<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Establishment<\/b><\/td>\n1964<\/span><\/td>\n1980<\/span><\/td>\n2016<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Universities \/ Academic Institutions which accept the test<\/b><\/td>\nMore than 11,000 across 150 countries<\/span><\/td>\nOver 10,000 across 140 countries<\/span><\/td>\n Over 3000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fee<\/b><\/td>\n$202<\/span><\/td>\n$204<\/span><\/td>\n$59<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test Mode<\/b><\/td>\n\n

Internet-Based Test (iBT)<\/span><\/p>\n

or<\/span><\/p>\n

Paper-Based Test(PBT)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Computer Based Test<\/span><\/p>\n

or<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paper-Based Test<\/span><\/td>\n

Computer-Based<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test Structure<\/b><\/td>\n <\/p>\n

Three or four sections<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Listening<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Reading<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Speaking <\/span> (only in iBT)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Writing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

\n

Four sections \u2013<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Listening<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Reading<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Speaking<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Writing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three parts<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Quick Set up<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Adaptive Test \u2013 Evaluates Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Video Interview<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test Scores<\/b><\/td>\n <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Score points – on a scale of 0 to 120<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Band score on a scale of 0 to 9, based on points in each skill<\/span><\/td>\nScore points \u2013 on a scale of 10 to 160<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test Duration<\/b><\/td>\n\n

2 \u00bd hours \u2013 PBT<\/span><\/p>\n

3 hours – iBT<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

2 hours 45 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n1 hour<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Test Results<\/b><\/td>\n6 to 10 days<\/span><\/td>\n3 to 13 days<\/span><\/td>\n 2 days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Each of these English Proficiency Tests has its distinctive features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s evaluate the favourable and not so favourable aspects of each test.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOEFL<\/h3>\n
Advantages<\/h5>\n