Learn How To Choose The Right Test For You, And Find Free Resources To Practice For Any Test!!
– This guide explains the three most commonly accepted English proficiency tests for university admission — IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and the Duolingo English Test (DET), how they differ, how universities use scores, a simple checklist to take the right test for your application and free resources to practice.
– Universities use standard English tests to verify that applicants can follow academic classes taught in English. Admissions teams look at overall scores and (sometimes) individual skill scores (reading, listening, speaking, writing) to decide whether an applicant meets the program’s language requirement.
Check the university requirement first. Some institutions explicitly state they accept Duolingo test’s, while others prefer or require IELTS or TOEFL only. Always confirm on the program’s official page. (If the school accepts multiple tests, skip to the next step).
Match test format to your strengths and logistics.
If you prefer a short online test with fast results and lower cost, Duolingo may be appropriate.
If you need wide, global recognition and a face-to-face speaking component to the test, IELTS is often a safe choice.
If you prefer a computer-delivered multi-task exam, TOEFL iBT is commonly used.
Consider cost and speed. Duolingo is typically fastest and least expensive; IELTS/TOEFL usually cost more and have more limited test dates in some locations. Check country-specific fees before booking.
Think about retake logistics and score use. All tests allow retakes, but scheduling, cost, and waiting times vary. Also consider how quickly you need results for application deadlines.
If you are still in doubt, choose the test most commonly accepted by the majority of your target programs. If your target institutions all accept Duolingo, its convenience is often makes it the right choice. If even one key program prefers IELTS/TOEFL and you are willing to put more effort and budget forward, choose IELTS/TOEFL.
Acceptance: Widely accepted by (almost all) institutions in Canada and many institutions worldwide.
Format: Four parts — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. The full Academic test takes about 2 hours 45 minutes; the Speaking test may be scheduled separately or be face-to-face (or computer-delivered equivalent).
Registration & fee: Fees vary by country and test centre; the exact fee is shown when you book through the official booking page. (Typical global ranges are often between roughly USD 180–300, depending on location and test type.) Check the official booking page for country-specific pricing.
Score reporting & validity: Scores are reported on a band scale (0–9) and are commonly considered valid for two years.
Official site / book a test: https://ielts.org
Acceptance: Widely accepted by Canadian Institutions and many institutions globally.
Format: Four sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing. Recent TOEFL formats have streamlined timings but still assess the four skills; running length is roughly 2–3 hours depending on the version.
Registration & fee: Fees depend on country and test form; typical international price points are around USD 180–$240 (check ETS for the fee in your country and any additional service fees). ETS posts up-to-date fee information on its registration pages.
Score reporting & validity: Scores are reported on a 0–120 scale and remain valid for two years.
Official site / book a test: https://www.ets.org/toefl
Acceptance: An affordable, secure, fully online test accepted by many institutions for admission; accepted by many (but not all) universities — check your target school’s policy.
Format: Adaptive online test covering reading, listening, speaking and writing plus a short video interview / writing sample. Total test time is short (about 1 hour) and results are usually available within 48 hours.
Registration & fee: DET is generally lower-cost than other tests. Pricing varies by country and over time; as of recent published references the typical global price is around USD 59–$70, plus any local taxes. Always check Duolingo’s applicant pages for current pricing in your country.
Score reporting & validity: Scores range from 10–160 and are valid for two years. Duolingo provides conversion guidance to help institutions interpret DET scores.
Official site / book a test: https://englishtest.duolingo.com
IELTS (British Council / IDP / IELTS.org) — free sample tests, practice questions and guidance. LINK’S: – IELTS1 – IELTS2
TOEFL (ETS) — free sample tests and the free TOEFL TestReady practice platform with full-length practice and feedback. LINK’S: – ETS1 – ETS2
Duolingo English Test — official readiness pages, set-up guide and practice suggestions for the at-home test. LINK : – Duolingo1
IELTS Liz — clear lessons and model answers for IELTS Writing, Reading, and Speaking practice. Good for strategy and high-band targets. LINK: – IELTS Liz
Cambridge IELTS English — downloadable sample papers, exam guides and vocabulary materials. Useful for extra practice. LINK: – Cambridge English
Free TOEFL sample test (ETS PDFs & practice) — sample sections and a free practice test PDF. LINK’S: – ETS1 – ETS2
Community practice sites (mock tests): ieltsonlinetests.com, ieltstestsimulation — good for extra timed practice (note: verify quality). LINK’S: – IELTS Online1 – IELTS Online2
– Below is a practical conversion table commonly used by admissions offices to compare scores across tests. These equivalencies are approximate — universities may publish their own official conversion charts, so always check the exact requirement with your program. Sources for these conversions include Duolingo’s published guidance and other institutional concordance charts.
– Use this table only as a quick guide. Individual universities set exact cut-offs for each program.
| Typical university target | IELTS overall band | TOEFL iBT overall | Duolingo DET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum for many undergraduate programs | 6.0 | ~60–78 | ~95–115 |
| Common competitive undergraduate / some master’s programs | 6.5 | ~79–95 | ~115–125 |
| Strong competitive graduate programs | 7.0 | ~94–100+ | ~125–135 |
| Top-tier programs (higher expectations) | 7.5–8.0 | 100–110+ | 135+ |
Booking late and missing admission deadlines. (Check processing times for your institutions and embassy(IRCC))
Assuming every school accepts all three tests — always confirm on the program page of institutions.
Using third-party booking sites that charge hidden fees — always use official test provider pages to book your tests.
Confirm which test(s) your target Institution(University) accepts.
Check the program minimum score requirement (overall and minimum subsection scores).
Verify test dates and book early on the official provider site (IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo Site’s).
Study and prepare well for the tests.
Prepare required ID for test day (passport or the ID specified during registration).
When you get your results, keep a digital copy of your score report and note the two-year validity period for later applications.
