Each of these exams has a distinct scoring pattern. IELTS offers a particular band of score on the basis of level of English language skill, whereas TOEFL and Duolingo prefer score points. Despite using various scoring systems, they can be contrasted based on the proficiency level that each score/band denotes.
For the basic level, the score comparison has been outlined below-
In Duolingo, the scores are 10, 15, 20-25, 30-40, and 45-50, while in IELTS, the scores are 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5, respectively.
For the intermediate level, the score comparison has been outlined below-
In Duolingo, the scores are 55-60, 65-70, and 75-80, while in IELTS, the scores are 4, 4.5, and 5, respectively.
For the upper intermediate level, the score comparison has been outlined below-
In Duolingo, the scores are 85-90, 95-100, 105-110, and 115-120, while in IELTS, the scores are 5.5, 6, 6.5, and 7, respectively.
For the advanced level, the score comparison has been outlined below-
In Duolingo, the scores are 125-130, 135-140, 145-150, and 155-160, while in IELTS, the scores are 7.5, 8, 8.5, and 9, respectively.
IELTS or TOEFL is much more popular than Duolingo, as it has been accepted by most of the universities abroad.
Both the tests check English proficiency of candidates. The Duolingo English Test evaluates the listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills of a candidate. It also has a shorter span as compared to IELTS. Thus, both the tests are equally equipped with assessing the quality of a student.
The exam structure of Duolingo English Test is Quick Set up, Adaptive Test – Evaluates Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing, and Video Interview. The exam structure of IELTS is listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The exam structure of TOEFL is listening, reading, speaking (in iBT), and writing.
Though all the tests aim at assessing English language proficiency, each of them have different requirements.
The test requirements of Duolingo English Test are- it has no minimum age requirement; any age group of applicants can take the test, but children of 13 years and below require a parent consent letter to appear in the exam. It is also not restricted to any profession, thus, the test is open for all. The documents accepted by Duolingo are any Government-issued ID, driver’s license, and passport. It has to be registered in the official website of Duolingo through the Google Account of the candidate. The equipment required are external speakers, external microphone, a computer having front-facing camera, and fast and reliable internet.
The test requirements of IELTS include adults only, that is, 18 years and above; children of 16 years and below require a parent consent letter to appear in the exam. It is also not restricted to any profession, thus, the test is open for all. The documents accepted by IELTS are active credit or debit card, and passport. The documents required in IELTS are the National Identity Card, and passport of the candidate. It has to be registered in the official website of IELTS Exam through the IELTS Online Registration Platform.
The test requirements of TOEFL include age group of 17 years or above; children of 15 years and below require a parent consent letter to appear in the exam. It is also not restricted to any profession, thus, the test is open for all. The documents accepted by TOEFL are original and valid passport of the candidate, with his/her signature and picture. The documents required in TOEFL are military ID, driver’s license, and his/her National ID including photograph, name, and signature. It has to be registered in the official website of TOEFL Exam through the official TOEFL website.
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The objective of the Duolingo English test is to evaluate a candidate's proficiency in spoken English in everyday real world situations. It assesses the candidates' capabilities in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. On contrary to IELTS, the length of the Duolingo examination is shorter. Thus, finishing the test quickly requires high level of proficiency of English language.
When compared, both Duolingo and IELTS have similar difficulty level. Both of these have been designed to assess the English language skills, thus, it is a myth to consider Duolingo as an easier option as compared to IELTS.
It became challenging to undertake the standardised examinations in the test centers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the aid of the internet, Duolingo can be accessed from home and is approved by many educational institutions in addition to IELTS and TOEFL. IELTS has developed an online exam termed as the IELTS Indicator that allows students who desire to complete their IELTS.
The obtained Duolingo score by the candidate is compared to their scores in TOEFL and IELTS. To determine comparable test results that have comparable percentile values, Duolingo scores are compared to TOEFL scores. In addition to this, it offers evidences which support the accuracy of the test results in the Duolingo.
When compared to the actual Duolingo English Test, the sample test is taken for 15 minutes lesser time. The actual test is taken for 45 minutes. Since the sample test's results are based on a limited number of questions, applicants can estimate their score from it.
More than 1000 additional programmes have began to accept the Duolingo English test since the COVID-19 outbreak struck the world. Presently, it is utilized for admissions by more than 2,000 universities, 70% of which are situated in the US. This test is embraced by even the topmost educational institutions. According to Duolingo Test, thousands of institutions throughout the world accept it. The results of the test are accepted by hundreds of academic institutions, including some of the country's top universities such as Yale University, Duke University, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University.
The universities of UK which accepts this test are Leeds Beckett University, University of Hertfordshire, Plymouth University, University of Stirling, Middlesex University, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, Brunel University, University of Bristol, Bangor University, and Anglia Ruskin University. The universities of Canada which accepts this test are University of Regina, Yorkville University, University of Windsor, University of New Brunswick – Saint John, Thompson Rivers University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Concordia University, Cape Breton University, and Algoma University.
