"Should I take IELTS or PTE?"
"Is Duolingo easier?"
"Do universities still prefer TOEFL?"
"Which test is best for Australia?"
In 2026, choosing an English proficiency test has become more complicated than ever before.
A decade ago, most students only considered IELTS or TOEFL. Today, applicants may choose between IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and the Duolingo English Test (DET), each offering different advantages depending on their goals.
At the same time, universities, migration authorities, professional registration bodies and employers are increasingly accepting multiple English tests. While this creates more flexibility, it also creates more confusion.
At LEAP English Pathways, we generally advise students not to ask:
"Which English test is the easiest?"
Instead, ask:
"Which English test best aligns with my goals, timeline, strengths and future plans?"
The answer is rarely the same for everyone.
While this overview is useful, most students ultimately want to know one thing:
How do these scores actually compare?
The table below provides a general comparison across the four major tests using CEFR as the common reference point.
Note: Individual universities, visa authorities and professional registration bodies may apply their own score requirements.
For example:
However, it is notable that these scores are not perfectly interchangeable.
A student who achieves PTE 65 will not necessarily achieve IELTS 7.0 without additional preparation. The tests measure similar underlying proficiency but reward different skills and testing behaviours.
Rather than comparing tests individually, it is often more useful to think in terms of your future goals.
Recommended:
IELTS or PTE Academic
These two tests currently offer the greatest flexibility across:
For students who are still unsure about long-term plans, IELTS and PTE generally provide the broadest future options.
Recommended:
PTE Academic or Duolingo English Test
Both tests offer rapid booking and relatively fast score reporting, usually within 48 hours, com
This can be particularly useful when application deadlines are approaching.
Recommended:
TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic
TOEFL remains deeply embedded within the US higher education ecosystem.
Students pursuing research-intensive programs often find TOEFL's academic lectures, note-taking tasks and integrated writing tasks align closely with future university demands.
Recommended:
PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or Duolingo English Test
Many students find speaking to a computer less stressful than speaking directly to an examiner.
Others find the opposite.
So generally if you’re not a big fan of taking to human examiner, basically you can take anything but IELTS, as it still requires to talk to the human examiner for the speaking component.
Recommended:
IELTS Academic
IELTS remains one of the most broadly recognised English proficiency tests globally
It is accepted across:
For many students, it remains the safest long-term choice.
Recommended:
Duolingo English Test
DET offers:
However, applicants should always confirm acceptance before relying on DET as their sole testing pathway.
Before booking any English proficiency test, we strongly recommend consulting the official website directly for the latest information regarding test formats, pricing, score reporting and acceptance policies.
Comparing IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and DET is important. However, once you've selected the test that best fits your goals, your focus should shift toward developing the underlying language skills that all of these assessments are ultimately designed to measure.
We frequently see students switch from one test to another in search of a breakthrough score, only to discover that the real challenge was not the test itself, but the underlying language proficiency required to perform well across any assessment.
The highest-performing students typically do three things well:
It’s very unlikely that switching to a different test automatically improves your score drastically, as each one comes with its unique format, examiner’s expectations, etc.
A stronger foundation is always the foundation.
Most importantly, avoid choosing a test because somebody on socials claimed it was easier.
Choose the test that aligns with your goals, timeline and future plans.
Duolingo English Test. (2026). Official website. Retrieved from https://englishtest.duolingo.com
Educational Testing Service (ETS). (2026). Understanding TOEFL iBT scores and the 2026 score scale update. Retrieved from https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores
International English Language Testing System (IELTS). (2026). Official website. Retrieved from https://www.ielts.org
Pearson. (2026). PTE Academic official website. Retrieved from https://www.pearsonpte.com
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). (Council of Europe). Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages
Choosing the wrong test can cost months of preparation, hefty exam fees and unnecessary stress.
At LEAP English Pathways, we help students make informed decisions based on:
Book a Test Strategy Consultation and we'll help you identify the most suitable pathway.
Join one of our preparation programs and receive a personalised roadmap designed around your target score, timeline and learning profile.
