IELTS (International English Language Testing System), PTE (Pearson Test of English), Duolingo English Test, and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are all standardized tests used to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers for various purposes such as education, work, immigration, and more. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between these tests:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
It consists of two versions
Academic (for educational purposes) and General Training (for work and immigration purposes).
The test assesses listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
Speaking component is conducted as a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Scores are reported on a 9-band scale.
Widely accepted by universities in English-speaking countries, especially in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
PTE is developed and administered by Pearson Education.
The test assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
All sections are computer-based and conducted in a single sitting.
Speaking component involves recorded responses to prompts.
Scores are reported on a scale of 10 to 90.
Accepted by universities in the UK, Australia, and some institutions in the USA and Canada.
Duolingo English Test
Duolingo is a relatively new, online-based English proficiency test.
It assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
The speaking component involves recording responses to prompts.
Scores are reported on a scale from 10 to 160.
Some universities and institutions accept the Duolingo test as an alternative to traditional language proficiency tests.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL is developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
The test assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Speaking component is conducted via recorded responses to prompts.
Scores are reported on a scale of 0 to 120.
Widely accepted by universities in the USA and other English-speaking countries.
Key differences
The test content, format, and scoring methods vary between these tests.
The IELTS speaking component involves a face-to-face interview, while PTE, Duolingo, and TOEFL use recorded responses for the speaking section.
The acceptance of each test varies by country and institution. It’s important to check with the specific universities or institutions you are applying to.
Some universities accept multiple tests, while others may have a preference for a specific test.
