English Test Guide 2026 · Checked 6 Oct 2026

IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo

One honest, up-to-date comparison of the four English tests that open the door to universities abroad — format, India fees, scoring, score equivalents, country-wise requirements and what changed in 2025–26.

Get free test-choice advice Jump to comparison

Start here

Which test should you take?

The right test depends on where you are applying and what your university or visa body accepts — not on which one feels easiest. Here is the quick view; every card opens a full guide and the matching coaching programme.

IELTS

Fee (India): ₹19,000
Duration: ≈2 hr 45 min
Score scale: Band 0–9
Results: 1–2 days

Choose this if: A human speaking examiner and the broadest visa acceptance.

Full IELTS guide IELTS coaching

PTE Academic

Fee (India): ₹18,900
Duration: ≈2 hrs+
Score scale: 10–90
Results: Within 48 hrs

Choose this if: Computer-based, fast results — Australia, NZ and UK.

Full PTE guide PTE coaching

TOEFL iBT

Fee (India): See ets.org/toefl
Duration: Under 90 min
Score scale: 1–6 (CEFR)
Results: A few days

Choose this if: US universities and a shorter, adaptive test.

Full TOEFL guide TOEFL coaching

Duolingo English Test

Fee (India): US$70
Duration: ≈1 hour
Score scale: 10–160
Results: Within 2 days

Choose this if: Budget and convenience — taken from home, any time.

Full Duolingo guide Duolingo coaching

Side by side

Complete comparison (2026)

Scroll sideways on a phone — the feature column stays in view.

Feature	IELTS	PTE Academic	TOEFL iBT	Duolingo English Test
Basics
Full name	International English Language Testing System	Pearson Test of English Academic	Test of English as a Foreign Language – internet-Based Test	Duolingo English Test (DET)
Run by	British Council, IDP Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment (IDP runs it in India)	Pearson	ETS (Educational Testing Service)	Duolingo
Versions	Academic, General Training, IELTS for UKVI, Life Skills	PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Core (Canada migration), PTE Home A1/A2/B1 (UK family visas)	TOEFL iBT at test centre, TOEFL iBT Home Edition (Paper Edition ended Jan 2024)	One version (online only)
Where you take it	Test centre only. In India: computer-based only from Sept 2026 (paper ended after 22 Aug 2026)	Pearson test centre (≈62 centres in India). Home/online version not available for India	Authorised test centre or at home (Home Edition, live human proctor)	From home on your own computer, any time (no appointment)
Format & timing
Total duration	≈2 hrs 45 min (L 30 + R 60 + W 60 + S 11–14 min)	≈2 hrs+ (three timed parts)	Under 90 minutes (new 2026 format); plan ~2 hrs with check-in	≈1 hour (adaptive test + writing & speaking samples)
Sections	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking	Part 1 Speaking & Writing, Part 2 Reading, Part 3 Listening	Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking (new order 2026)	Single adaptive session mixing all four skills + video interview/samples
Speaking test style	Face-to-face with a live examiner (separate session possible)	Speak into a microphone; computer-recorded	Speak into microphone; recorded (Listen & Repeat, Take an Interview)	Speak into microphone/webcam; recorded
Adaptive?	No	No	Yes – Reading & Listening are multistage adaptive (2026)	Yes – fully adaptive
Scoring & results
Score scale	Band 0–9 (half-band steps) for each skill + overall	10–90 overall and per skill	NEW: 1–6 in 0.5 steps (CEFR-aligned). Reports also show comparable 0–120 score until about Jan 2028	10–160 overall + subscores
How it is scored	Human examiners for Writing & Speaking; marked answers for L & R	AI scoring, with human review on 7 of 22 question types (from Aug 2025)	Machine/AI scoring; overall = average of 4 section bands, rounded to 0.5	AI scoring with human proctoring review
Result time	Computer: usually 1–2 days (paper: ~13 days – now discontinued in India)	Typically within 48 hours	Faster reporting introduced in 2026 – typically a few days	Within 2 days (12 hrs with paid 'Faster Results')
Score validity	2 years (most institutions)	2 years	2 years	2 years
Cost (India)
Test fee (India)	₹19,000 Academic / General Training (from 1 Apr 2026)	₹18,900 incl. 18% GST (from 16 Mar 2026) – Academic, UKVI, Core	Varies by country – check current India price on ets.org/toefl	US$70 (≈₹6,000–6,500, varies with exchange rate)
Retake option	One Skill Retake (computer test only) ≈₹12,000–12,650	Full retest only (₹18,900)	Full retest	Buy another test; up to 2 attempts in any 30-day period
Acceptance (check each institution)
Universities	Very wide – UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, USA, Europe	Wide – Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, many USA	Very wide – especially USA; also Canada, UK, Europe, Australia	6,000+ institutions, mainly USA/Canada; growing in UK/Europe
Visas / migration	UK (IELTS for UKVI), Australia, NZ, Canada (General Training for PR)	UK (PTE Academic UKVI), Australia, NZ; PTE Core for Canada PR	Check visa body's current list (accepted by many universities, limited for migration)	NOT accepted for UK visas or Australian immigration
Best for
Choose this if…	You want a human speaking examiner and need broad visa acceptance	You like computer-based, fast results and are targeting Australia/NZ/UK	You are applying to US universities and are comfortable with an adaptive, shorter test	Budget and convenience matter and your university accepts DET

Fees and rules change often — always confirm on the official website before booking.

Know your number

Approximate score comparison

INDICATIVE ONLY – compiled from published concordance tables. Universities and visa bodies set their own equivalents; always use the receiving institution's table.

Score converter

What is my IELTS band worth on other tests?

PTE Academic: 58–64
Duolingo (DET): 115–120
TOEFL iBT (new): 4.5
TOEFL (old 0–120): 79–93
CEFR level: B2

Indicative only — universities and visa bodies set their own equivalents.

IELTS band	PTE Academic	Duolingo (DET)	TOEFL new (1–6)	TOEFL old (0–120)	CEFR
9.0	86–90	155–160	6.0	118–120	C2
8.5	83–85	150	6.0	115–117	C2
8.0	79–82	140–145	5.5	110–114	C1
7.5	73–78	135	5.5	102–109	C1
7.0	65–72	125–130	5.0	94–101	C1
6.5	58–64	115–120	4.5	79–93	B2
6.0	50–57	105–110	4.0	60–78	B2
5.5	42–49	95–100	3.5	46–59	B1/B2
5.0	36–41	85–90	3.0	35–45	B1
4.5	30–35	75–80	3.0	32–34	B1

By destination

Typical score requirements

General ranges only – programmes vary widely (e.g., law, medicine, nursing require more). Always check the course page.

Destination / level	IELTS	PTE	Duolingo	TOEFL (new / old)	Notes
UK – undergraduate	6.0–6.5 (no band <5.5)	59–64	110–120	4.0–4.5 / 72–90	IELTS: IELTS for UKVI needed for some visa routesPTE: PTE Academic UKVI needed for some visa routes
UK – postgraduate	6.5–7.0	62–70	115–125	4.5–5.0 / 90–100	—
USA – most universities	6.5–7.0	58–65	110–120	4.5–5.0 / 80–100	Duolingo: Widely accepted in the USA
USA – top universities	7.0–7.5+	65–73	120–135	5.0–5.5 / 100–110+	—
Canada – universities	6.5 (no band <6.0)	60–65	115–120	4.5 / 86–90	IELTS: For Canada PR (Express Entry) use IELTS General TrainingPTE: For Canada PR (Express Entry) use PTE CoreTOEFL: Not accepted for Canada PR (Express Entry)Duolingo: Not accepted for Canada PR (Express Entry)
Australia – universities	6.5 (no band <6.0)	58–64	Some universities	4.5 / 79–90	Duolingo: Not accepted for Australian visas
New Zealand	6.0–6.5	50–58	Some universities	4.0–4.5 / 79–90	—
Europe (Germany, Ireland, NL, etc.)	6.0–6.5	55–65	Increasingly accepted	4.0–4.5 / 80–90	—

Stay current

What changed in 2025–26

Several tests changed format, price or delivery in the last 18 months. Check this timeline before you book — and before you trust older blogs.

Feb 2025Duolingo
Fee raised from US$65 to US$70
Jul 2025Duolingo
Interactive Speaking & Interactive Writing introduced; Read Aloud removed; concordance updated (DET 120 ≈ IELTS 6.5)
7 Aug 2025PTE
Two new speaking tasks (Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation) – 22 question types; human review on 7 types; Answer Short Question scored for Listening
21 Jan 2026TOEFL
New shorter format (<90 min), adaptive Reading & Listening, new tasks, new section order, new 1–6 CEFR-aligned score scale
16 Mar 2026PTE
India fee ₹18,000 → ₹18,900 (incl. GST)
Mar 2026IELTS
Partners announce paper-based IELTS ends worldwide from mid-2026; Writing on Paper option in selected markets
22 Mar 2026IELTS
IELTS for UKVI reported as computer-delivered only worldwide
1 Apr 2026IELTS
India fee ₹18,000 → ₹19,000 (Academic & GT)
22 Aug 2026IELTS
Last paper-based IELTS in India
Sep 2026IELTS
India: computer-only (IELTS on Computer, or IELTS on Computer – Writing on Paper)
≈Jan 2028TOEFL
Comparable 0–120 score expected to be dropped from score reports (1–6 only)

Prepare smart

6-week preparation plan

Adjust length to your current level – a 0.5–1 band (or equivalent) jump typically needs 4–8 weeks of focused practice.

Week	All tests	IELTS	PTE	TOEFL	Duolingo
Week 1	Take one official free practice test; note weakest skill	Learn all question types; time yourself	Master Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation (high-weight)	Learn new 2026 task types (Complete the Words, Build a Sentence, Take an Interview)	Do official practice test; check computer/room setup
Week 2	Vocabulary & grammar daily (30–45 min)	Listening: daily podcasts/BBC; practise spelling of answers	Practise the 2 new speaking tasks; avoid memorised templates	Daily-life reading (emails, notices) + academic passages	Practise Read and Complete & Listen and Type for speed
Week 3	Writing practice with feedback	Writing Task 1 & 2 – one each per day; learn band descriptors	Essay (200–300 words) & Summarize Written Text (one sentence)	Write an Email & Academic Discussion – timed	Interactive Writing – write 100+ words in 5 min
Week 4	Speaking practice (record yourself)	Speaking Part 2 cue cards – 2 min talk daily	Describe Image & Re-tell Lecture with 40-s timer	Listen and Repeat accuracy + interview answers ~45 s	Interactive Speaking – answer instantly, no prep
Week 5	Full mock tests under exam timing	2 full mocks; review mistakes by question type	2 scored practice tests (official)	2 full practice tests with adaptive modules	2 full practice tests
Week 6	Final review & booking checks	Check ID (passport), test-centre route, rules	Check ID, arrive 30 min early	Check ID; for Home Edition verify setup in advance	Run system check; clear room; passport ready

Before you pay

Before you book — checklist

1Confirm which test & minimum score your university/visa accepts (overall AND each skill)
2Check passport is valid and name matches exactly on booking
3Plan test date at least 4–6 weeks before your application deadline (leaves room for a retake)
4Book only on official sites: ielts.idp.com / ieltsidpindia.com, pearsonpte.com, englishtest.duolingo.com, ets.org/toefl
5Note the reschedule/cancellation deadline right after booking
6Choose free score recipients (TOEFL at registration; PTE & DET free sending any time)
7For home tests (DET, TOEFL Home Edition): run the system check a day before
8Night before: sleep well, keep passport ready, know the reporting time

Not sure which test fits your plan?

Tell us your course, country and deadline — our counsellors will match the right test and start your coaching batch.

Talk to a counsellor

Sources & official websites (checked 6 Oct 2026)

Official websites: ielts.org · ieltsidpindia.com · pearsonpte.com · englishtest.duolingo.com · ets.org/toefl