English language assessments like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are crucial for international students aiming to study abroad. These tests validate your English proficiency and fulfill university admission requirements, paving the way for your academic success.
For years, IELTS has been a preferred choice by students planning to study abroad. Nevertheless, the Duolingo English Test (DET) is starting to trend among the younger generation. With Indian students applying for diverse programs in over 83 countries, India is proven as the largest market for the Duolingo English Test.
So how is the Duolingo English Test different from the renowned IELTS? Let’s take a closer look at how these two assessments stack up against each other,
Acceptance
DET was first introduced in 2016, yet through a vibrant and the company’s quirky marketing techniques, the test took a slow gradual ramp and is now accepted by over 5000 institutions all over the world including countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland.
IELTS is accepted by around 11,500 educational institutions globally. The IELTS band score required varies by university, country, and program. It generally ranges from 5.5 to 7.5 or higher. Some of the most common countries that recognize IELTS include the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Test Pattern
Duolingo English Test Pattern :
Duolingo’s English test is split into 3 parts,
- Introduction and instruction (5 minutes): At the start of the test, you’ll receive an explanation of the rules and requirements for taking the test.
- Adaptive Test (45 minutes): The first part, i.e., the Adaptive Test will be of 45 minutes duration and your English skills will be tested with the help of different types of questions which are administered randomly. Also, the difficulty level of these questions will change based on how you’re performing.
- Writing and Speaking Samples (10 minutes): The second part is the Writing and Speaking Samples, the duration of which will be 10 minutes. A prompt will be provided and candidates will have to give a good length response to it. For the speaking part, you will be able to record your response for a maximum of three minutes (minimum 1 minute), and for the writing sample, a 3-5 minute long response has to be recorded.
IELTS Exam Pattern
IELTS Academic:
- Listening: 40 questions, 30 minutes, covering four parts.
- Reading: 40 questions, 60 minutes, based on three passages.
- Writing: Two tasks, 60 minutes, including a descriptive task and an essay task.
- Speaking: 11-14 minutes, face-to-face interview with three parts.
IELTS General Training:
- Listening: Same as Academic.
- Reading: 40 questions, 60 minutes, focusing on everyday language and situations.
- Writing: Two tasks, 60 minutes, including a letter-writing task and an essay task.
- Speaking: Same as Academic
Test Mode
DET: It is entirely online. In fact, the Duolingo test center was the first fully digital-first Secure English Language Test (SELT).
IELTS : The IELTS exam is conducted in two different modes. The Computer Based Test (CBT) is for students who want to take it online. The Paper Based Test (PBT) is for those who still prefers the classic method.
Time Duration
DET: The complete Duolingo English test requires approximately one hour to finish.
IELTS: The IELTS exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes. The first three parts are listening, reading, and writing, which happens consecutively. Your speaking test takes place separately with a facilitator assigned to you.
Exam Cost
DET : Costs USD 65 and INR 4,852 plus taxes in India.
IELTS: The test cost in India is around INR 18000.
Test Results
DET : Candidates can view their overall results of DET within 2 days after they complete the Test. Duolingo English Test results are valid for two years after you take the test.
IELTS : For paper-based IELTS tests, results are typically available online 13 days after the test date, while for computer-based tests, results are usually available within 1 to 5 days. IELTS score is also valid for two years from the date of the test.
Bottom line, while the adaptability makes Duolingo Test appealing to many, because of the reliability people prefer IELTS as much as DET. Taking an English Proficiency Test can be a crucial step as in your study abroad journey. Thus be prudent to finalize the test that works for you.
In the same way you choose your study abroad destination and program, make sure to weigh your pros and cons to pick what suits you best and aligns with your needs. God speed!
