Duolingo vs. IELTS: Which English Proficiency Test Should You Choose?

Choosing the right English proficiency test can be a big decision, especially when it comes to achieving your academic, immigration, or professional goals. Two popular options are the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the Duolingo English Test (DET). Each has its own advantages, and the best one for you depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the requirements of the institution you’re applying to. In this blog, we’ll do the Duolingo and IELTS comparisons to help you make the right choice.

What is IELTS?

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the oldest and most recognized English proficiency tests worldwide. It’s accepted by over 12,000 organizations in more than 140 countries. IELTS is often required by universities, immigration authorities, and employers to assess a person’s ability to use English in real-world situations.

• Test Versions: There are two versions of the IELTS exam: IELTS Academic, which is usually required for university admissions, and IELTS General Training, which is often needed for work or immigration purposes.
• What It Tests: The IELTS exam tests your skills in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
• Test Length: The test takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
• Test Format: You can take IELTS either on paper or on a computer at a test center.
• Who Accepts It?: It’s accepted by universities, immigration offices, and companies worldwide.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a more recent option, and it has quickly gained popularity due to its convenience and affordability. Unlike IELTS, you can take the Duolingo test entirely online from the comfort of your home. It’s also shorter, taking just about an hour to complete.

Test Format

The Duolingo test is adaptive, meaning that the questions get easier or harder depending on how you answer. It tests your Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills, similar to IELTS.

• Test Format: The Duolingo test is adaptive, meaning that the questions get easier or harder depending on how you answer. It tests your Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills, similar to IELTS.
• Test Length: It takes around 1 hour to complete.
• Where Duolingo test is Accepted?: Over 5,000 institutions accept Duolingo, mainly in the U.S., but its acceptance is growing globally.
• Test Format: You can take IELTS either on paper or on a computer at a test center.
• Test Environment: Since the test is online, you can take it whenever you’re ready, without needing to go to a test center.

Duolingo vs. IELTS: Key Differences

Both IELTS and Duolingo evaluate your English language skills, but they differ in several ways. Here’s a breakdown of Duolingo and IELTS comparison:

IELTS vs. Duolingo: Test Format

Both tests cover similar skills but approach them differently. Here’s a closer look at how IELTS and Duolingo test your abilities:

IELTS Test Format

• Listening: You’ll listen to audio recordings of people speaking in English and answer related questions.
• Reading: You’ll read several texts and answer questions about them. The texts can be descriptive, factual, or analytical.
• Writing: You’ll complete two tasks. One involves writing an essay, and the other asks you to describe or analyze data presented in a chart or diagram.
• Speaking: You’ll have an interview with an examiner, either face-to-face or through a video call.

Duolingo English Test Format

• Adaptive Test: The test changes based on your answers, adjusting the difficulty level as you go. You might be asked to choose the correct words, fill in missing words, or write short essays.
• Video Interview: At the end of the test, you’ll record a short video response to a prompt. This helps institutions assess your speaking ability more naturally.

Let’s understand the formats more clearly in a gist:

Duolingo vs. IELTS: Scoring and Acceptance

The scoring systems for IELTS and Duolingo are different, and so is their global acceptance.

IELTS Scoring

• IELTS scores are based on a band system from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest level of English proficiency.
• Each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) gets its own score, and your overall score is the average of these.

Duolingo Scoring

• Duolingo uses a scoring range from 10 to 160. The test adapts to your performance, so the better you do, the higher your score.
• Duolingo also includes a video interview that institutions can review along with your test score.

Let's look at the Duolingo vs IELTS score in a bit brief for a quick understanding:

IELTS vs. Duolingo: Costs and Convenience

Cost and convenience can be big factors in choosing a test. Here’s how IELTS and Duolingo compare:

Test Comparison: Duolingo English Test vs IELTS

• Price: The Duolingo English Test is much more affordable, costing just $59, although the IELTS usually costs $200 or more, depending on where you take it.
• Convenience: Duolingo is completely online, so you can pick up a check anytime from home. IELTS requires you to book an appointment by email and travel to see a center, which can be less practical, especially if there isn't one nearby.
• Retakes: Duolingo allows you to retake a check-up to 2 times within 30 days, at the same time that IELTS asks you to wait 2-3 weeks before retaking it.

Let’s do a quick comparison between both the tests for the above factors:

Pros and Cons of IELTS and Duolingo

Each test has its pros and cons, depending on what’s most important to you:

Pros of IELTS

• Global recognition: Accepted through more than 12,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, immigration offices, and employers.
• Test formats: You can choose between a paper-based or a computer-based assessment, depending on your preference.
• Speaking Test: The speaking segment involves a real individual, both face-to-face and via video call, which can provide a more accurate measure of your communication competence.

Cons of IELTS

• Price: It's more expensive than Duolingo, normally costing over $200.
• Convenience: You need to schedule an appointment and visit the test center, which can be inconvenient.
• Time for Results: You will have to wait 5-7 days to get your results.

Pros of Duolingo

• Affordability: At just $59, it’s much more budget-friendly. Moreover, purchasing a Duolingo exam voucher from LaEdutech will further reduce the costs.
• Convenience: You can take a test from home at any time that suits you as long as you have a good network connection.
• Fast results: Results are available within 48 hours.

Cons of Duolingo

• Limited Recognition: While it’s growing, Duolingo is still accepted by fewer institutions (around 5,000) compared to IELTS.
• No Human Interaction in Speaking Test: Since the speaking section is recorded, some people feel it’s less accurate than interacting with a real person.

Which Test Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the decision between Duolingo or IELTS which is better, depends on your specific needs. If you're aiming for globally recognized and like an extra conventional format, IELTS might be a good alternative. However, if you choose affordability, convenience, and faster results, Duolingo may be the right choice for you. You can have lesser Duolingo exam costs by using our discounted Duolingo exam vouchers. It will reduce your costs and the exam can be extremely cheap for you.

Before you decide, it's a great idea to check the specific requirements of the institutions or groups you're applying to. Some may only accept IELTS, while others are more flexible and accept Duolingo.

Good luck with your test preparation, and whichever test you choose, stay confident and give it your best!