If you are applying to study abroad, chances are you need to prove your English. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test are the four tests students ask about most, and choosing the wrong one can cost you money, time and even a visa application.
There is no single "best" test. The right one is the test that is accepted by your university and visa route, and that suits your strengths, budget and schedule. This guide compares all four, explains what has changed in 2026, and helps you choose.
The Short Answer
- If you are applying for a UK visa route that requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as work visas or courses below degree level, you must take an approved UKVI test, for example IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI or LanguageCert SELT.
- If you are applying for an Australian student visa, IELTS, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are among the accepted tests, while Duolingo is generally not accepted for the visa.
- If you are applying to the USA, TOEFL and IELTS are the most widely accepted, and many US universities also accept Duolingo.
- If you are applying to Canada, universities decide which tests they accept for admission. For immigration programmes, Canada's immigration department accepts specific tests, such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core.
- If you are short on time or money and every university on your list accepts it, Duolingo can be the fastest and cheapest option.
- If you are unsure, check your university's English requirements page first and choose from the tests it lists.
The Four Tests at a Glance
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Format: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
- Length: about 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Scoring: a band scale from 1 to 9, with no pass or fail.
- Results: computer-based tests usually give results within a few days, while paper-based tests take around 13 days.
- Validity: two years.
- Versions: Academic (for university study) and General Training (mostly for migration and work), plus IELTS for UKVI for UK visa purposes.
- Best for: students who want a human speaking examiner and a test that is accepted almost everywhere.
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Format: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, with a new format since 21 January 2026. Reading and Listening are now adaptive, meaning the difficulty adjusts to your performance, and several task types are new.
- Length: about 90 minutes, shorter than the old test.
- Scoring: a new 1 to 6 band scale in half-point steps, aligned with the CEFR framework. Your overall score is the average of the four section scores. During a two-year transition, score reports also show a comparable 0 to 120 figure.
- Results: around three days.
- Validity: two years.
- Best for: students applying to universities that specifically list TOEFL, especially in North America, and those who prefer an academic-style computer test.
- Warning: guides written before 2026 describe the old test. Use only current, official practice materials.
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)
- Format: fully computer-based at a test centre, with three parts: Speaking and Writing together, Reading, and Listening. Many tasks are integrated, so one answer can be scored for more than one skill.
- Length: about 2 hours.
- Scoring: a scale from 10 to 90, largely AI-scored.
- Results: typically within 48 hours.
- Validity: two years.
- Versions: PTE Academic (for study and visas in countries such as Australia and New Zealand), PTE Academic UKVI (for UK visa routes that require a SELT) and PTE Core (for Canadian immigration, not for university admission).
- Best for: students who want quick results, are comfortable with computers, and prefer not to speak to a live examiner.
Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Format: taken online at home on your own computer, with a webcam and strict online proctoring. It is adaptive, and includes a video interview and writing sample.
- Length: about one hour.
- Scoring: 10 to 160, in steps of 5.
- Results: usually within 48 hours.
- Validity: two years.
- Cost: around US$65 to 70, though you should confirm the current fee on Duolingo's site.
- Best for: students who need a fast, low-cost option and are applying only to institutions that accept it.
- Warning: acceptance for visas is limited. See below.
Cost, Speed and Convenience
- Cost: fees vary widely by country and change over time. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE often fall roughly in the range of US$200 to 350, while Duolingo is much cheaper at around US$65 to 70. UKVI versions can cost more. Always check the official booking page for your country.
- Speed: Duolingo and PTE usually give results in about two days, TOEFL in about three, and IELTS in a few days on computer.
- Convenience: Duolingo is taken at home. TOEFL may offer an at-home option in some places, but availability varies. IELTS and PTE are taken at test centres.
- Retakes: IELTS on computer offers One Skill Retake in some centres, allowing you to retake a single section within 60 days, though not every institution accepts these scores.
Acceptance by Destination
These rules change, so always confirm with your university and the official visa website.
United Kingdom. For visa routes that need a Secure English Language Test, only tests approved by the Home Office count, from providers such as the IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London and PSI. A standard IELTS or PTE certificate is not a SELT, so you must book the UKVI version at an approved centre. Students on courses below degree level always need a SELT, while at degree level the university, as sponsor, may be able to assess your English in other ways. Duolingo is not a SELT, though some UK universities accept it for admission, so check both the university and the visa requirement.
Australia. The student visa (Subclass 500) accepts tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, but Duolingo is generally not accepted for the visa, even if some universities accept it for admission.
Canada. Each university sets its own accepted tests. For immigration programmes such as Express Entry, the government accepts specific tests, including IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core, and Duolingo is not on that list.
United States. TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted by universities, and many also accept Duolingo. Requirements vary by university and programme, so check each one.
New Zealand and other destinations. Acceptance varies, and in some cases a university's own acceptance of a test may be enough for visa purposes. Check with your university and immigration authority.
How to Choose: Six Questions
1. Which universities and visa am I applying to? Start with their official English requirements. This decides everything.
2. Do I need a Secure English Language Test? If you are applying to the UK on a route that requires one, you must book a UKVI-approved test.
3. What is my deadline? If time is short, check the result turnaround for each test.
4. What is my budget? Compare the full cost, including any retakes and transport to a test centre.
5. How do I perform under different formats? If you prefer talking to a person, IELTS may suit you. If you are comfortable speaking to a computer and typing, PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo may suit you better.
6. Do my universities set score minimums per section? A high overall score is not enough if you fall below the minimum in one skill.
Do not pick a test based on rumours about which one is "easiest". Each has a different style, and the best test for you is the one you can prepare for and that your target institutions accept.
Preparation Tips
- Use the official practice materials for the exact version you will take. For TOEFL, use materials made for the January 2026 format.
- Practise under timed conditions and get used to the interface, especially for computer-based tests.
- For speaking, record yourself and listen back, or practise with a partner or tutor.
- Learn what each score means in the CEFR framework, and build a study plan around your weakest skill.
- Book early. Peak seasons fill up, and you need time for results and for sending scores before your deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the wrong version, such as standard IELTS instead of IELTS for UKVI, or PTE Core instead of PTE Academic.
- Using outdated TOEFL guides written for the old test.
- Assuming that a university accepting Duolingo means your visa will accept it too.
- Not checking section minimums as well as the overall score.
- Waiting until the last minute, then missing your deadline because of the result time.
- Letting your score expire. Most of these tests are valid for two years.
- Relying on unofficial score conversion charts. Use the concordance tables published by the test makers or your university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which test is the easiest?
None of them is easy, and difficulty depends on you. Choose based on acceptance, format and your own strengths.
Which test is accepted everywhere?
IELTS and TOEFL are among the most widely accepted for university admission, but no test is accepted by every institution. Always check.
How long are the scores valid?
For IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo, results are generally valid for two years. Your score must usually still be valid on the date you apply.
Can I mix scores from different tests or sittings?
Usually not, although some institutions accept certain combinations. Check the rules of each university.
Do I need the UKVI version for university admission?
Usually no, unless the university or visa route specifically asks for it. Check with the university and the UK government guidance.
Can I take the test at home?
Duolingo is taken at home. TOEFL may offer an at-home option in some places, while IELTS and PTE are taken at test centres.
Final Thoughts
Start with your university and visa requirements, then choose the test that fits your goals, budget and timeline. Book early, prepare with official materials, and double-check that you are taking the right version. A few minutes of checking now can save you months of stress later.
Sources and Further Reading
- UK Government (GOV.UK), approved Secure English Language Tests and English language requirements for visas
- ETS, TOEFL iBT updates: ets.org/toefl
- IELTS official information: ielts.org
- Pearson, PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Core: pearsonpte.com
- Duolingo English Test: englishtest.duolingo.com
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