If you're applying to a US university, a graduate program, or a visa, you'll probably need to prove your English with a test. The three you'll hear about most are the TOEFL iBT, the IELTS and the Duolingo English Test (DET). All three measure reading, listening, speaking and writing, but they feel very different on test day.
Step one, always: check exactly which tests your school, program or visa accepts, and the minimum score they want. Requirements differ, and they change.
The quick comparison
| TOEFL iBT | IELTS | Duolingo English Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run by | ETS | British Council, IDP and Cambridge | Duolingo |
| Where you take it | Test center or at home | Test center, on computer (paper tests ended in mid-2026); an online version exists in some countries | At home, online |
| Scores | 1–6 bands (since January 2026) | 0–9 bands | 10–160 |
| Speaking | Recorded answers on the computer | Live interview with an examiner | Recorded answers, plus a short video interview |
| Length | Shorter than before the 2026 redesign | About 2 hours 45 minutes in total, including speaking | About an hour |
| Best for | US universities, people comfortable on a computer | Universities worldwide, immigration, people who prefer talking to a person | Schools that accept it, and people who want to test quickly from home |
TOEFL iBT: redesigned in 2026
The TOEFL changed in January 2026. Scores are now reported on a 1–6 scale in half-band steps, aligned with the CEFR levels many schools use. For a transition period, score reports also show an estimate on the old 0–120 scale, so check which number your school asks for. The test is shorter than it used to be, and the Reading and Listening sections now adapt to your level as you go.
Choose the TOEFL if your target schools are mainly in the US, you type comfortably, and you don't mind speaking into a microphone instead of to a person.
IELTS: a real conversation
The IELTS has four parts: Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes, two tasks) and Speaking (about 11–14 minutes). Since mid-2026, Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on a computer (paper tests have been phased out), while the Speaking test is still a face-to-face interview with a trained examiner, sometimes on a different day from the other three parts. There are two versions: Academic for universities and General Training for work and immigration. Make sure you book the right one.
Choose the IELTS if you speak better with a real person than with a computer, if you need it for immigration (for example to Canada, the UK or Australia), or if your schools are outside the US. More detail: IELTS Speaking: what to expect.
Duolingo English Test: fast and from home
The DET is taken online at home and takes about an hour. Questions adapt quickly to your level, and many are short and fast-paced. The test also includes a writing sample and a short video interview that's sent to schools along with your score. Results usually arrive within a couple of days. Scores run from 10 to 160.
Choose the DET if your schools accept it, you need a score quickly, and you have a quiet room and a reliable computer with a camera. It's usually the most affordable of the three.
How to decide
- List what your schools or visa accept. If only one test works for all of them, the decision is made.
- Think about speaking. Prefer a real conversation? IELTS. Prefer recorded answers? TOEFL or DET.
- Check timing. Deadline soon? The DET's quick results can help, but only if your schools accept it.
- Take a practice test of each. All three offer free official practice. Many students find one simply feels more natural.
Getting ready
Whichever test you choose, the biggest score gains come from understanding the question types, practicing under time pressure, and getting honest feedback on your speaking and writing. That's where private lessons help most.
LA English Academy offers private prep for all three: Duolingo English Test $50, TOEFL $60 and IELTS $70 per hour, online or in Santa Monica.
Test formats, fees and rules change. Always confirm the current details on the official sites: ets.org/toefl, ielts.org and englishtest.duolingo.com.
Not sure which test is right for you?
Talk it through with Juliet on a free 15-minute call.