IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, or Duolingo — which one do you need?
They all measure English proficiency, but they're built differently, scored differently, and accepted differently depending on the institution. Here's how to tell them apart.
Lerniyo issues none of these tests. Every section below describes the tests in general terms — requirements vary by institution, employer, and consulate, and change over time, so always verify with your target institution before booking an exam.
How do the main English tests differ?
IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English and the Duolingo English Test all measure English, but they are built differently, scored differently and accepted differently. There is no best test in general. The right one is the one your university, employer or immigration authority accepts, at the score it asks for.
This guide compares them side by side and shows how to choose. It describes the tests in general terms, and details change, so always check the official requirement and the official test website before you register.
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The four tests side by side
| Aspect | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Cambridge English | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment | ETS | Cambridge University Press & Assessment | Duolingo |
| Score | Band 0 to 9, per skill and overall | 1 to 6 (0 to 120 shown alongside during the transition) | One exam per level: B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency | 10 to 160 |
| How you take it | At a test center, on paper or on computer; Speaking is a face-to-face interview | On a computer, at a test center or, where offered, at home | At an authorised center, on paper or on computer; Speaking is face to face | Online, at home, in about an hour, with a webcam |
| Typical use | Universities, work and immigration in many countries | Universities, mainly in the US and Canada | A certificate of one CEFR level, mostly in Europe | A growing number of universities, for fast or remote applications |
| Result validity | Many institutions accept results for two years | Many institutions accept results for two years | The certificate does not expire, but some institutions want a recent result | Many institutions accept results for two years |
The 4 major English tests
IELTS
The most widely accepted test globally for study, work, and immigration. Two versions: Academic and General Training.
Scored 0-9, roughly A1 to C2
Universities, UK/Australia/Canada visas, many employers
TOEFL iBT
Common for university admission, especially in the US and Canada. Fully computer-based.
Scored 0-120, roughly A2 to C1+
US and Canadian universities mainly
Cambridge English
A family of separate exams, one per level (B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) rather than one test with a sliding score.
One exam per CEFR level
Universities, employers, and some visas, mostly in Europe
Duolingo English Test
A shorter, cheaper, fully online test taken at home, increasingly accepted for admissions.
Scored 10-160, roughly A1 to C2
A growing number of universities, especially for fast or remote applications
So which one should you take?
Start from the requirement, not the test: check exactly which test (and which minimum score) your target university, employer, or consulate accepts — not every institution accepts every test, and score scales don't convert 1:1 between them. If several options are accepted, IELTS and TOEFL remain the most broadly recognized, Cambridge suits a one-time level certification, and Duolingo suits speed and convenience when it's accepted.
Which test fits your situation?
Start from the requirement, not from the test. These are common situations; your own institution has the final word.
Universities in the UK, Australia or Canada
IELTS is the test most often named. Many universities also accept others, so check the admissions page of your program.
Universities in the US
TOEFL iBT and IELTS are both widely accepted, and some universities also accept the Duolingo English Test.
A visa or immigration
Check the immigration authority. Many name specific approved tests, sometimes a specific version of IELTS, and accept nothing else.
A certificate for work or your CV
A Cambridge English certificate does not expire and shows one clear CEFR level, which some employers like.
Short on time or applying remotely
The Duolingo English Test is taken online at home, if your institution accepts it.
Mistakes when choosing a test
- Booking a test before checking which tests the institution accepts.
- Assuming scores convert one to one between tests. They do not; any conversion is only an estimate.
- Ignoring per-skill minimums: some programs ask for a minimum in each skill, not only overall.
- Taking the test before your level is close to the score you need.
- Not checking how long a result stays valid, or how fast results arrive before your deadline.
- Relying on a friend’s experience instead of the official requirement page.
How to choose in five steps
A simple order that avoids wasted exam fees and time:
- 1
Find the official requirement
Open the admissions or visa page of your university, employer or authority.
- 2
Write down the details
Accepted tests, the minimum overall score, any minimum per skill and how long a result stays valid.
- 3
Pick the accepted test that suits you
Think about format (paper or computer, test center or home), dates and how fast you need the result.
- 4
Build the level first
Reach the CEFR level your target score corresponds to, then practise the format of the test you picked.
- 5
Book the official test
Register on the official test website or with an official center, and leave time before your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my score from one test to another?
Only approximately. Test providers and universities publish comparison tables, but the tests measure skills differently, so a converted score is an estimate, not a guarantee of acceptance.
Which test is easiest?
None is inherently easier — they test the same underlying skills differently. Choose based on what your target institution accepts and which format suits you (paper vs. computer, in person vs. from home).
Does Lerniyo prepare me for a specific one of these?
Lerniyo’s mock exams are built in the style of IELTS and Cambridge, since they are the most widely used reference formats. The English skills you build apply to all four tests; you can practise the exam format separately once you have picked one.
How do I know which score I need?
Check the official admissions or visa page for your specific target — the requirement is usually listed exam by exam, with a minimum overall score and sometimes a minimum per skill.
Which English test is accepted most widely?
IELTS and TOEFL iBT are the most widely recognised for study, and IELTS is also common for work and immigration. Always verify with your own institution.
How long are results valid?
Many institutions accept IELTS, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo results for two years, while a Cambridge English certificate does not expire. Each institution sets its own rule.
Can I take an English test at home?
Some tests offer an at-home option, and the Duolingo English Test is fully online. Availability and acceptance vary, so check that your institution accepts it.
Should I learn English first or choose the exam first?
Choose the target first, because it sets the level and score you need. Then build the level, then practise the format of the test you pick.