Choosing the wrong English test can cost you money and months. A score that a university happily accepts for admission may be useless for your visa, and a test that is perfect for the US may not count in the UK. The four big names, IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test, are all good tests. The question is which one is accepted for your plan.
This guide compares IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo on format, speed, cost and, most importantly, where each is accepted for study and visas in 2026.
Table of Contents
IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo at a glance
- IELTS: the most widely accepted test worldwide. Taken on paper or computer at a test centre, with a speaking test conducted by a real examiner. A special version, IELTS for UKVI, is approved for UK visas.
- PTE Academic: fully computer-based with automated scoring, and known for fast results. The PTE Academic UKVI version is approved for UK visas.
- TOEFL iBT: computer-based and long the standard for US universities. Widely accepted for admission worldwide, but not on the UK government’s approved list for visas.
- Duolingo English Test: taken online at home in about an hour, with results usually within a couple of days, for a fee of about US$70 in 2026. Accepted by many universities for admission, but not approved for UK visas.
Admission and visa are two different questions
This is the point that trips up most students. A university decides which tests it accepts for admission. A government decides which tests it accepts for a visa. Sometimes the two match, and sometimes they do not.
The UK
For UK visas that require a Secure English Language Test (SELT), only approved tests count. In 2026 the approved providers are the IELTS SELT Consortium (IELTS for UKVI), Pearson (PTE Academic UKVI), LanguageCert, Trinity College London (for tests taken in the UK) and PSI Services (Skills for English, for tests taken outside the UK).
However, for degree-level study, UK universities can assess English themselves. That is why many UK universities accept the Duolingo English Test or TOEFL for their degree courses even though neither is an approved SELT. If you are going to a foundation or pre-degree course, you will usually need a SELT. Always ask your university which test it will accept for your course and your visa. Our UK student visa guide explains the visa side.
The United States
US universities set their own requirements. TOEFL is accepted almost everywhere, IELTS very widely, and the Duolingo English Test by a large and growing number of institutions. Scholarship programmes may set their own rules too.
Canada
Canadian universities and colleges set their own admission requirements and commonly accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL, PTE Academic and often Duolingo. Be careful about later steps, though. For the Post-Graduation Work Permit and permanent residence, Canada accepts specific general tests, such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core. IELTS Academic does not count for those purposes, which surprises many graduates. See our Canada study permit guide.
Australia
Australia accepts several tests for student visas, including IELTS, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, with minimum scores set by the government and higher ones by universities.
Europe
For English-taught programmes in Germany, the Netherlands, Erasmus Mundus programmes and elsewhere, IELTS and TOEFL are the safest choices, and many programmes also accept PTE or Duolingo. Requirements vary by programme, so check each one.
Format and difficulty compared
IELTS has four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The speaking test is a conversation with an examiner, which some candidates find more natural than talking to a computer. Results are given as bands from 0 to 9.
PTE Academic is taken entirely on a computer, including speaking into a microphone. Scoring is automated, which suits people who speak clearly and work well under timed conditions. Results usually arrive quickly.
TOEFL iBT is also computer-based, with academic reading, listening, speaking and writing tasks. It is long established with US universities.
Duolingo English Test is adaptive, so questions get harder or easier as you go. It is short, convenient and cheaper, but some candidates find the unusual question types take getting used to. Scores run from 10 to 160.
None of these is “easier” in absolute terms. They test the same skills in different ways. The best test for you is the one that is accepted for your plan and suits how you perform.
How to choose: a simple guide
- List every place your score must be accepted: universities, scholarships and visas.
- Find the tests that all of them accept.
- If several qualify, choose the format that suits you and the date that fits your deadlines.
- If you are unsure, IELTS or IELTS for UKVI is the safest default, because it is accepted almost everywhere.
For most students heading to the UK for a degree, IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI covers both admission and any visa need. For the US, TOEFL or IELTS is safest, and Duolingo is a good option if all your universities accept it. For Canada, plan ahead for the general test you will need after graduating.
A four-week preparation plan
If your English is already reasonably strong, four focused weeks are often enough to reach your target score:
- Week 1: diagnose. Take a full official practice test under timed conditions. Note your weakest section and the question types that cost you most.
- Week 2: target weaknesses. Spend most of your time on the weakest skill. For writing, practise structuring answers to the exact task types. For speaking, record yourself and listen back.
- Week 3: build speed. Practise full sections against the clock. Many candidates know the answers but run out of time.
- Week 4: simulate the test. Take two or three full practice tests, review every mistake, and rest properly before test day.
Whichever way the IELTS vs PTE decision goes for you, use the official practice materials for your chosen test. Free online practice is useful, but the official materials reflect the real question styles and scoring most accurately.
Test day tips
- Bring the exact identification you registered with, usually your passport.
- Arrive early at test centres; late arrivals may not be allowed in.
- For tests taken at home, check your camera, microphone and internet the day before, and use a quiet room with nothing on the desk.
- In speaking tasks, keep talking naturally rather than stopping to search for the perfect word.
- In writing tasks, leave a few minutes to check spelling and grammar.
- If one section goes badly, put it behind you and focus on the next.
A calm, well-practised candidate usually scores higher than a stronger speaker who is unprepared for the format.
Practical tips
- Book early. Test dates fill up before major application deadlines.
- Check the minimum score in every section, not just the overall score. Many applicants are rejected for one weak section.
- Check how long results are valid, usually two years.
- Practise in the real format, using official practice materials.
- Allow time for a retake before your earliest deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duolingo accepted for a UK student visa?
Not as an approved Secure English Language Test. Some UK universities accept it for degree-level admission, which can be enough for the visa when the university assesses your English itself.
Is TOEFL accepted in the UK?
Many UK universities accept TOEFL for admission, but it is not on the government’s approved list for visas that require a SELT.
Which test is fastest?
PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test usually return results within a few days.
Which test is accepted most widely?
IELTS is the most widely accepted test overall.
Can I use IELTS Academic for a Canadian work permit after graduation?
No. For the Post-Graduation Work Permit and permanent residence, Canada accepts general tests such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core.
For scholarships that will ask for an English score, see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027–28. The official list of approved UK tests is on GOV.UK.
