In this article
- The short answer, by destination
- The rule that helps you avoid the costliest mistake
- The three tests at a glance
- Duolingo: convenient, but check twice
- IELTS or TOEFL: how to decide
- Getting the timing right
The right English test isn’t the cheapest or the quickest: it’s the one accepted by the universities you’re applying to. Before you book a test date, start with your university list and each university’s “English language requirements” page. As a quick guide: IELTS for the UK, Australia and Canada; TOEFL for the US and Canada; Duolingo only where your universities explicitly accept it.
The short answer, by destination
Each country has its own conventions, and each university has the final say. Here is the starting point we give families:
- UK: IELTS Academic is the safe choice, accepted by universities and recognized for the Student visa. TOEFL iBT is widely accepted. Duolingo is accepted by some universities but not all, and it is not on the Home Office SELT list used for certain visa routes.
- US: TOEFL iBT is the long-standing benchmark, IELTS is very widely accepted, and Duolingo is increasingly accepted. Still, check each university individually.
- Canada and Australia: IELTS is the most widely used. For visa and immigration applications, IELTS or TOEFL is often required; acceptance of Duolingo remains limited.
- Europe (English-taught programmes): IELTS and TOEFL are the standard. Duolingo acceptance depends on the institution.
The rule that helps you avoid the costliest mistake
The mistake we see most often: choosing a test before reading the language requirements page of every university on your list. Which tests are accepted varies from one university to another, sometimes from one programme to another within the same university, and it changes from year to year.
The consequences are real. A student books the quickest test, gets their score, then discovers that one of their target universities doesn’t accept it. They have to take another test in the middle of application season, sometimes too late for the deadline. You can avoid this with one habit: open the “English language requirements” page of each of your universities, note the accepted tests and the required score, and choose the test that covers your entire list.
The three tests at a glance
Approximate figures to help you compare the options (confirm on the official websites when you register):
- Format: the Duolingo English Test is taken at home, on a computer, with questions that adapt to your level. IELTS and TOEFL keep traditional sections (reading, listening, writing and speaking), taken at a test centre or on a computer.
- Length: about 1 hour for Duolingo, about 2 hours for TOEFL, and about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours for IELTS.
- Results: about 48 hours for Duolingo, 6 to 10 days for TOEFL, and about 13 days for IELTS.
- Price: Duolingo is the cheapest (about €55 to €65). IELTS and TOEFL cost considerably more, often €200 to €300 depending on the test centre and country.
- Scoring: IELTS is scored from 1 to 9 (in half-band steps), TOEFL from 0 to 120, and Duolingo from 10 to 160. The scales can’t be compared directly: refer to the score each university requires.
Duolingo: convenient, but check twice
The Duolingo English Test is the quickest and cheapest option, and you can take it from home. That’s a real advantage when time is tight. Its weak point is acceptance: it is recognized by more than 5,000 institutions, a growing number but still lower than for IELTS and TOEFL (more than 12,000 each). Some highly selective universities don’t accept it, and it isn’t valid for all UK visa routes.
The advice is simple: only book Duolingo if every one of your target universities lists it among its accepted tests. If even one doesn’t accept it, taking IELTS or TOEFL will save you from sitting two tests.
IELTS or TOEFL: how to decide
If you’re choosing between these two, start with your main destination and the format that suits you:
- IELTS: ideal for the UK, Australia and Canada. Available on paper or on a computer. The speaking test is taken with an examiner, either face to face or by video call.
- TOEFL iBT: ideal for the US and Canada. Everything is done on a computer, including the speaking section, which is recorded through a microphone.
If you’re applying to several countries at once, choose the test accepted by all your universities. For a UK-focused list, IELTS almost always covers the whole list. For a US-focused list, TOEFL and IELTS are both safe choices.
Getting the timing right
A score is only useful if it arrives before your deadlines. Plan to take the test early enough for your score to be received before the first deadline on your list (UCAS in the autumn and in January, US deadlines depending on the university, European programmes in the spring). Also leave time to retake the test if your first score falls short of the requirement. Most scores are valid for about 2 years, so you can take the test as early as the spring or summer before you apply.
A note for international applicants
Some students may be exempt from an English test: previous schooling taught in English, an international or British stream, or certain recognized qualifications. The rules vary from one university to another and an exemption is never automatic. If you think this applies to you, check the exemption policy on the university’s website before booking a test: it may save you an exam.
Frequently asked questions
What score should you aim for? It depends on the university and the programme. The most selective courses ask for higher scores, and some also set a minimum for each section. The right approach is to check the exact score on each programme’s official page rather than aim for a general average.
Is Duolingo accepted everywhere? No. It is gaining acceptance quickly but is still less widely accepted, and it does not cover every visa route. Check university by university.
How long is my score valid? About 2 years for all three tests. Check the exact date when you apply.
Choosing the right test, aiming for the right score and keeping to the timeline are all part of what we map out from the very first meeting. If you want to start on the right footing, we will review your situation with you.
To prepare for the step before this one – choosing your destination and building your university list – see also our guide to studying abroad.
Author
With a Bachelor's (LLB) from UCL and Assas, and the Grande Ecole program at HEC Paris, Adam co-founded Your Dream School in 2018. Since then the company has coached more than 1,000 students through university admissions and interview preparation for top global institutions.
Need personalized guidance? Talk to our experts.
Talk to an Expert →
