IELTS Vs Duolingo - Which Test is Easier?

Choosing the right English proficiency test is just as important as studying for it. After all, the test you pick can significantly impact your goals, whether it's landing a job abroad, getting accepted into a foreign university, or simply demonstrating your English skills. This article will explore the difference between IELTS and Duolingo to help you make the right choice.

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Difference between IELTS and Duolingo

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most popular English language proficiency test, accepted by over 12,000 institutions and organisations worldwide. IELTS assesses an individual’s English proficiency through Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills.

On the other hand, The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a standardised English language proficiency test developed by Duolingo. Since DET is a fairly new test not all institutions and organisations accept DET scores, it is important to check whether it is accepted or not at the applied institution or organisation before taking the test.

Let’s look at the difference between IELTS and Duolingo:

Details	IELTS	Duolingo
Conducting Body	IDP IELTS	Duolingo
Global Acceptance	Over 12,000 organisations	Over 5000 institutions
Mode of Examination	Paper-based and Computer-based	Computer-based
Sections	Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking	Adaptive section (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) and Video interview
Scoring range	Band score (0-9)	Score (10-160)

IELTS vs Duolingo – Format of the exam

IELTS is available in two formats: Academic (for studying purposes) and General Training (for working and immigration purposes). The entire IELTS exam takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Both IELTS and Duolingo have four sections of assessment: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking sections. Let’s see IELTS vs Duolingo differences in detail in the next section.

Test Format: IELTS vs DET

The difference in the format of the two tests is provided below.

Aspect	IELTS	Duolingo
Sections	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking	Adaptive test covering Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Listening	This section involves listening to recordings of native English speakers and answering questions. There are 4 sections, each increasing in difficulty.	Listening skills are tested throughout the adaptive test with various question types, such as identifying spoken words or phrases.
Reading	Includes three long texts that range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. Questions include multiple-choice, matching, and short-answer questions.	Reading comprehension is assessed through the adaptive test, which consists of tasks like reading and understanding short and long texts, identifying missing words, and interpreting meaning.
Writing	Consists of two tasks. Task 1 requires writing a short essay based on a graph, table, chart, or diagram. Task 2 requires writing a formal essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.	Writing is integrated into the test with tasks that may include writing brief responses to prompts, completing sentences, and writing a short essay.
Speaking	Conducted as a separate part of the test, either face-to-face or via video call with a trained examiner. It involves a structured interview, a short speech, and a discussion.	Speaking tasks are included in the adaptive test, which has a video interview format. Test-takers respond to prompts by speaking into the computer's microphone.

IELTS Preparation

To prepare for the IELTS exam, you must focus on improving your Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills to achieve the best possible score. Here is the preparation material for IELTS available on the official IDP IELTS India website to help you achieve your desired band score.

Free IELTS Preparation Material

Learn test skills

Free online classes

Familiarisation test

Online preparation material

Improve your band score

Tips and study resources

Summary

Though IELTS and Duolingo both assess an individual’s proficiency in English, there are several differences between the two. IELTS is more recognised and globally accepted than Duolingo, making it the preferred choice.

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better – IELTS or Duolingo?

Both tests are good in their respective ways. However, IELTS is more widely accepted and is known by more than 12,000 organisations.

Can I take the Duolingo English Test instead of IELTS?

IELTS is the most popular English language proficiency test, and universities accept it for admission. It has been conducting tests for more than 30 years. It is advised to choose the test that is more recognised and accepted at universities across the globe for a better chance to secure admission at your desired university.

Is Duolingo easier than IELTS?

This is a myth that Duolingo is easier than IELTS, both tests are designed to evaluate your English language proficiency and are made in their own ways.

What is 5.5 IELTS equivalent to Duolingo?

A band score of 5.5 in IELTS is equivalent to 95-100 in Duolingo.