IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo: Which English Test Should You Take?

What the main tests are

IELTS is run by a partnership of organisations, and is offered in two main versions. IELTS Academic is the version most commonly requested for university study, and IELTS General Training is used mainly for other purposes such as migration and work. The test has four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Academic version takes a little under three hours in total, with a Speaking part of roughly 11 to 14 minutes. Results are given as band scores, and you receive a score for each part and an overall score. It can be taken at a test centre, and in some places online, depending on the country and the current options.

TOEFL iBT is run by ETS and is also taken on a computer. It tests Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, with tasks that often combine skills, for example reading a text and then writing about it. ETS announced changes to the TOEFL iBT for 2026, including a new score scale and a different structure, so older books, websites and videos may describe a version that no longer applies. Before you buy preparation material, check the ETS website for the current format and make sure your target programme knows how to read the new scores.

The Duolingo English Test is taken online at home, on your own computer, with a webcam and microphone, and the whole session lasts about an hour. It is adaptive: the questions become easier or harder depending on how you answer, and it mixes many short task types that cover reading, writing, listening and speaking. Scores are reported on a numerical scale, and universities that accept it set their own minimums. Not all institutions accept it, and some scholarships and visa processes do not, so acceptance must be confirmed first.

Cambridge English exams, such as C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, are different in style. Each is a qualification at a specific level of the European framework, with several papers that test reading, writing, listening and speaking. They can be taken on paper or on a computer, and results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale. They are accepted by many institutions, especially in Europe and the United Kingdom, but they are less commonly requested than IELTS or TOEFL by universities elsewhere.

How to check which tests a programme accepts

Never choose a test from a blog post, a forum or a recruiter's advice alone. Go to the programme page or the admissions requirements page of the university, and look for a section called language requirements or English proficiency. Then answer these questions in writing:

• Which tests are accepted, and which versions? For example, Academic or General Training, or a home edition versus a test centre edition.
• What is the minimum overall score, and is there a minimum for each part, such as Writing or Speaking?
• Is the minimum different for your specific programme, faculty or level of study? Medical, law and teaching programmes often ask for more.
• How old can the result be on the application deadline and on the first day of study?
• How must the result be sent: an electronic transfer from the test provider, a certificate upload, or a code?
• Is there a waiver or an alternative, such as a previous degree taught in English?
• If you also need a student visa, does the immigration authority have its own list of approved tests? This can be different from the university's list.

How to choose between them

If more than one test is accepted, compare them on practical points rather than reputation.

• Acceptance: choose a test that every programme or scholarship on your shortlist accepts. One accepted test for all applications saves money and preparation time.
• Location and delivery: a test centre may be far from where you live, and some places have few dates. An online test avoids travel but needs a quiet room, a stable connection and a computer that meets the technical rules.
• Speaking: some people speak more naturally with a human examiner, others prefer to speak to a computer. Think about which setting makes you less nervous.
• Typing and handwriting: computer-based formats require comfortable typing. Check whether a paper option exists if you write better by hand.
• Time and stamina: a short test is less tiring, but a long test with clear sections can feel more predictable.
• Cost and booking: fees and retake rules differ, and may change, so compare the current prices on official pages.
• Results timing: ask how soon scores are sent to universities, because some tests deliver results faster than others.
• Preparation material: choose a test that has plenty of official practice material in your language of study.

Score validity and booking lead time

Many test results are considered valid for a limited period, often around two years, and institutions may apply their own rules on top of that. Always check the validity period on the official page, and also check the date that matters to your programme: some require a valid result on the application date, others on the enrolment date. A test taken too early may expire before you need it.

Booking is the part students most often leave too late. Popular test dates fill up, especially before major application deadlines, and some locations have limited seats. Results may take from a few days to a few weeks, and sending official scores to a university can take additional time. A safe approach is to book the test at least two to three months before your earliest deadline, so that you have room for one retake if needed. Check the current waiting times on the official website for your city.

A preparation plan by weeks

The plan below assumes about eight to ten weeks and one to two hours on weekdays, with more on weekends. If you start from a lower level, you may need more time, and a test is not a place to learn English from scratch. Adjust the timing to your situation.

• Week 1: Take a full official practice test, or the closest equivalent, under real time limits. Record your score for each part. This shows where you actually are. Read the official description of each task and of the scoring criteria.
• Weeks 2 and 3: Work on your weakest skill first. If it is Writing, practise planning and writing short answers and learn how the criteria are applied. If it is Listening, listen to talks and news at natural speed and check the transcript afterwards.
• Weeks 4 and 5: Practise each task type separately. Learn the time limit for each and practise finishing on time. Start a vocabulary notebook for topics such as education, environment, technology and health, and write short sentences using each new word.
• Weeks 6 and 7: Do a full practice test every week under test conditions. After each one, spend at least as much time reviewing mistakes as you spent taking it.
• Week 8: Keep practising lightly, fix the repeated errors, and rehearse the practical details: ID, route to the centre or the technical check for an online test. Do not take a new full test the day before.

Practice habits that actually help

Use official or officially licensed practice material when possible, because it follows the real format and difficulty. Free unofficial tests can be useful for extra practice, but their scores are not reliable predictions.

For Speaking, record yourself answering a question for the time allowed, then listen. Check for long pauses, repeated words and unclear endings. If you can, practise with a friend or a teacher who can give honest feedback. For Writing, ask someone to correct two or three pieces and look for patterns in your mistakes, such as articles, verb tenses or sentence structure. Then fix those patterns specifically.

For Reading and Listening, read and listen to English every day in a field that interests you. Short, regular practice works better than one long session a week. Learn to manage time: if a question takes too long, mark it and move on. Do not memorise scripted answers to reproduce in the test, because they rarely fit the question.

Test-day tips

• Read the confirmation email twice and check the date, time, location and the exact ID document you must bring. The name on your ID must match the booking exactly.
• For a test centre, plan your route and arrive early. For an online test, check your computer, camera, microphone, connection and room well before the start, and close other programs.
• Follow the instructions given by the staff or the software, even if they differ from what you practised.
• Keep a steady pace. If you do not know an answer, make your best attempt and continue, because unanswered questions usually earn nothing.
• In Speaking, give a full answer, speak clearly, and do not worry about a small mistake. Correcting yourself briefly is fine.
• In Writing, spend a minute planning, answer the exact question, and keep time to check your work at the end.

Retakes and waivers

If your score is lower than required, check whether you can retake the test, how soon, and whether a single part can be repeated. Rules on this differ by test and by country. Some universities accept a combined score from several attempts, while others require all the required scores in a single sitting. Do not assume, and confirm in advance.

Some programmes waive the language test for certain applicants, for example those who completed a previous degree in an English-medium institution, or who come from a country the university lists as exempt. The conditions are specific, and a waiver is often given by the institution only after you submit proof. Ask the admissions office, in writing, what evidence they need. Also check whether a waiver applies for the scholarship and the visa, since these are separate decisions. A university may waive the test for admission while the visa authority still asks for one.

If you are close to the required score, consider asking about a pre-sessional English course or a conditional offer. Many universities offer these, and they can be a realistic alternative to repeated retakes. Compare the cost and time with another attempt.