By Yilin Z., founder and academic director
Published
Should I take IELTS or PTE? Is Duolingo easier? Do universities still prefer TOEFL? Students ask us these questions all the time. A better question is which test fits your goals, your timeline and your strengths.
On this page
- The four tests side by side
- How the scores compare
- What the numbers mean
- If you plan to study in Australia and might stay
- If you need your results fast
- If you're applying mainly to US universities
- If you'd rather not speak to an examiner
- If you want the choice that lasts
- If you want it flexible, easy to book and cheaper
- Where to book and practise
- The biggest mistake students make
- Our advice
- Help choosing a test
The four tests side by side
Ten years ago, most students thought about IELTS or TOEFL. Today you can choose between IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and the Duolingo English Test.
Universities, visa offices, registration bodies and employers now accept more than one test. That gives you more choice, and more to compare.
How the four tests compare in 2026
Main use
- IELTS Academic
- Study, migration, professional registration
- PTE Academic
- Study, migration, applications that need results fast
- TOEFL iBT
- Study, especially at US universities
- Duolingo English Test
- University applications that need results fast
How you take it
- IELTS Academic
- On computer. In Australia, on computer only from June 2026
- PTE Academic
- On computer
- TOEFL iBT
- On computer
- Duolingo English Test
- Online, from home
How long it takes
- IELTS Academic
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- PTE Academic
- About 2 hours
- TOEFL iBT
- About 1 hour 30 minutes
- Duolingo English Test
- About 1 hour
Speaking
- IELTS Academic
- With an examiner
- PTE Academic
- Scored by computer
- TOEFL iBT
- Scored by computer
- Duolingo English Test
- Scored by computer
Score scale
- IELTS Academic
- Bands 0 to 9
- PTE Academic
- 10 to 90
- TOEFL iBT
- 1 to 6, new in 2026
- Duolingo English Test
- 10 to 160
Results
- IELTS Academic
- In 1 to 5 days
- PTE Academic
- Usually within 48 hours
- TOEFL iBT
- Usually within a few days
- Duolingo English Test
- Usually within 48 hours
For migration
- IELTS Academic
- Excellent
- PTE Academic
- Excellent
- TOEFL iBT
- Depends on the visa
- Duolingo English Test
- Usually limited
For professional registration
- IELTS Academic
- The widest recognition
- PTE Academic
- Widely recognised
- TOEFL iBT
- Depends on the program
- Duolingo English Test
- Limited
For universities
- IELTS Academic
- Excellent
- PTE Academic
- Excellent
- TOEFL iBT
- Excellent
- Duolingo English Test
- Growing fast
Suits a learner who is
- IELTS Academic
- A balanced communicator
- PTE Academic
- Strategic and happy working on a computer
- TOEFL iBT
- Academic and analytical
- Duolingo English Test
- Flexible and short of time
| What you want to know | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main use | Study, migration, professional registration | Study, migration, applications that need results fast | Study, especially at US universities | University applications that need results fast |
| How you take it | On computer. In Australia, on computer only from June 2026 | On computer | On computer | Online, from home |
| How long it takes | 2 hours 45 minutes | About 2 hours | About 1 hour 30 minutes | About 1 hour |
| Speaking | With an examiner | Scored by computer | Scored by computer | Scored by computer |
| Score scale | Bands 0 to 9 | 10 to 90 | 1 to 6, new in 2026 | 10 to 160 |
| Results | In 1 to 5 days | Usually within 48 hours | Usually within a few days | Usually within 48 hours |
| For migration | Excellent | Excellent | Depends on the visa | Usually limited |
| For professional registration | The widest recognition | Widely recognised | Depends on the program | Limited |
| For universities | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Growing fast |
| Suits a learner who is | A balanced communicator | Strategic and happy working on a computer | Academic and analytical | Flexible and short of time |
How the scores compare
This table lines the four tests up against the CEFR, the common scale of language levels from A1 to C2.
The PTE scores are the ones Pearson's July 2025 study matches to each row's IELTS bands, from 1,522 people who took both tests. Our IELTS to PTE converter uses the same figures.
Your university, visa office or registration body may set its own score, so check what they ask for.
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo scores by CEFR level
C2
- IELTS Academic
- 8.5 to 9.0
- PTE Academic
- 86 to 90
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 6.0
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 114 to 120
- Duolingo English Test
- 155 to 160
C1+
- IELTS Academic
- 8.0
- PTE Academic
- 79 to 85
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 5.5 to 6.0
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 107 to 113
- Duolingo English Test
- 145 to 154
C1
- IELTS Academic
- 7.0 to 7.5
- PTE Academic
- 63 to 78
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 5.0 to 5.5
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 95 to 106
- Duolingo English Test
- 130 to 144
B2+
- IELTS Academic
- 6.5
- PTE Academic
- 55 to 62
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 4.5 to 5.0
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 86 to 94
- Duolingo English Test
- 120 to 129
B2
- IELTS Academic
- 5.5 to 6.0
- PTE Academic
- 39 to 54
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 4.0 to 4.5
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 72 to 85
- Duolingo English Test
- 105 to 119
B1+
- IELTS Academic
- 5.0
- PTE Academic
- 31 to 38
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 3.5 to 4.0
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 58 to 71
- Duolingo English Test
- 90 to 104
B1
- IELTS Academic
- 4.0 to 4.5
- PTE Academic
- 30 or lower
- TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale
- 3.0 to 3.5
- TOEFL iBT, before 2026
- 44 to 57
- Duolingo English Test
- 75 to 89
| CEFR level | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT, 2026 scale | TOEFL iBT, before 2026 | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 | 8.5 to 9.0 | 86 to 90 | 6.0 | 114 to 120 | 155 to 160 |
| C1+ | 8.0 | 79 to 85 | 5.5 to 6.0 | 107 to 113 | 145 to 154 |
| C1 | 7.0 to 7.5 | 63 to 78 | 5.0 to 5.5 | 95 to 106 | 130 to 144 |
| B2+ | 6.5 | 55 to 62 | 4.5 to 5.0 | 86 to 94 | 120 to 129 |
| B2 | 5.5 to 6.0 | 39 to 54 | 4.0 to 4.5 | 72 to 85 | 105 to 119 |
| B1+ | 5.0 | 31 to 38 | 3.5 to 4.0 | 58 to 71 | 90 to 104 |
| B1 | 4.0 to 4.5 | 30 or lower | 3.0 to 3.5 | 44 to 57 | 75 to 89 |
- IELTS to PTE score converter
Pearson's 2025 conversion table, skill by skill.
What the numbers mean
Here's how three common IELTS bands line up:
- IELTS 6.5 is close to PTE 55 to 62, TOEFL 4.5 to 5.0 and Duolingo 120 to 125.
- IELTS 7.0 is close to PTE 63 to 70, TOEFL 5.0 and Duolingo 130.
- IELTS 8.0 is close to PTE 79 to 85, TOEFL 5.5 to 6.0 and Duolingo 145 or more.
Close isn't the same.
A student with PTE 63 won't always get IELTS 7.0 without more practice. The tests measure similar English, but they reward different skills and habits.
If you plan to study in Australia and might stay
Take IELTS or PTE Academic.
These two give you the most options for Australian universities, migration and professional registration. If you're not sure about your long-term plans yet, they keep the most doors open.
If you need your results fast
Take PTE Academic or the Duolingo English Test.
You can book both at short notice, and results usually come within 48 hours. That helps when an application deadline is close.
If you're applying mainly to US universities
Take TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.
TOEFL is a big part of how US universities admit students. Students heading into research programs often find its lectures, note-taking and integrated writing tasks close to what university asks of them.
If you'd rather not speak to an examiner
Take PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or the Duolingo English Test.
Many students find speaking to a computer less stressful than speaking to a person. Others find the opposite. IELTS is the one test of the four where you speak with an examiner.
If you want the choice that lasts
Take IELTS Academic.
IELTS is one of the most widely recognised English tests in the world. Universities, migration programs, professional registration bodies and government organisations accept it. For many students, it's the safest long-term choice.
If you want it flexible, easy to book and cheaper
Take the Duolingo English Test.
It costs less, you take it at home, you book it when it suits you and the results come fast. Check that your university or employer accepts it before you rely on it alone.
Where to book and practise
Before you book, read the test's official site for the latest format, price, score reporting and who accepts it.
- Book an IELTS test
ielts.org
- IELTS sample questions
ielts.org
- Book PTE Academic
pearsonpte.com
- PTE Academic practice
pearsonpte.com
- Register for TOEFL iBT
ets.org
- TOEFL iBT practice
ets.org
- Take the Duolingo English Test
englishtest.duolingo.com
- Duolingo English Test practice
englishtest.duolingo.com
The biggest mistake students make
Once you've picked a test, put your effort into the English that every test measures.
We often see students switch tests to chase a better score, then find that the real problem was their English, not the test. A new test rarely raises your score by much, because each one has its own format and its own expectations.
The students who do best usually do three things well:
- They know the test format and the strategy it needs.
- They work on their English foundations.
- They get good feedback.
Our advice
- For study, migration and long-term options in Australia, start by comparing IELTS and PTE Academic.
- For universities in the US, TOEFL is a strong choice alongside IELTS.
- For fast, flexible university applications, the Duolingo English Test can work where your university accepts it.
Don't pick a test because someone online says it's easier.
Pick the one that fits your goals, your timeline and your plans.
Help choosing a test
The wrong test can cost you months of study, high fees and a lot of stress. Our teachers help students choose by their study goals, migration plans, work needs, current English and deadlines.
- Courses at Leap English Pathways
IELTS and PTE preparation with a plan built around your target score, your timeline and how you learn.
Sources
- Duolingo English Test, official website, 2026
- ETS, Understanding TOEFL iBT scores and the 2026 score scale update, 2026
- IELTS, official website, 2026
- Pearson, PTE Academic official website, 2026
- Council of Europe, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- Pearson, Establishing score concordance between the enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic, July 2025
