Table of Contents
- Would you go for Duolingo or IELTS?
- Unique features of Duolingo vs IELTS
- Types of Duolingo exams VS IELTS exams
- Exam Structure: Duolingo vs IELTS
- Duolingo VS IELTS Score Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Would you go for Duolingo or IELTS?
Duolingo is a relatively new English proficiency test(founded in 2016) among some popular previously existing exams, like IELTS. This test is accepted in over 3,000 universities around the globe. Since this test is computerized, candidates can take it from anywhere in the world. The test is timed for 1 hour, and students can access its result within two days of the exam date.
IELTS is one of the oldest and most popular exams aspirants take to build a career abroad. This goes without saying that IELTS is accepted by more than 10,000 universities worldwide. This exam is more flexible as it provides both mediums, computerized and paper-based exams. This exam has a longer duration of 2 hours 45 minutes. IELTS test result gets declared within 4-5 days of the exam date.
Unique features of Duolingo vs IELTS
Both Duolingo and IELTS offer varied benefits to their candidates.
Duolingo is a free language learning app. So, people from all walks of life can learn any language from Duolingo without any charge. However, premium content on Duolingo can be accessed by candidates only on the payment with a 65% discount coupon. Reasons to choose Duolingo are listed below:
- Convenient: Candidates can take advantage of giving the test online from anywhere due to the fully-computerized exam structure. Candidates can give the exam from the comfort of their homes.
- Fast Assessment: The results of Duolingo have been displayed on its website within two days or 48 hours of the exam. This exam result can be shared with anyone instantly.
- Affordable Fees: Duolingo is one of the most affordable English proficiency exams with exam fees of $49 + applicable taxes. At the same time, other English proficiency exams charge more than $200.
- Mock/Practice tests: Duolingo app provides easy access to prepare for the exam well in advance from any electronic device.
- Shorter exam duration: Compared with other English proficiency exams, the Duolingo exam has a shorter duration, between 46 minutes-60 minutes. Mostly the duration of such exams exceeds 1 hour.
Principal reasons to choose IELTS are listed below:
- Most widely accepted English proficiency test for migrants: All popular higher education destinations like the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia accept IELTS scores to evaluate their proficiency in English.
- Global Partnerships: IELTS has the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, IDP: IELTS Australia, IELTS USA as its co-founders.
- Worldwide test locations: Around 1,600 IELTS test centers are located in 40+ countries around the globe.
- Personalized assessment: IELTS exams are evaluated by humans and not computer or AI-based models, adding a personal touch to the assessment, thereby minimizing the scope for automated errors.
- Simplified Exam Preparation: Due to the global partnership programs, IELTS preparation has become simpler. Students can find exam tips and preparation advice from the official partners of IELTS.
Exam Structure: Duolingo vs IELTS
Exam Pattern of Duolingo
Being relatively new in the market, Duolingo follows an off-beat exam structure. So, let's discuss its exam pattern, duration, and mode of examination in this section.
- Mode of examination: Computerized Test, at the comfort of your home. You will just need
- A Quiet, well-lit room
- Computer/Laptop with a front-facing camera, a microphone, and speakers.
- Sound internet connection
- ID proof: Passport, Driver’s license or Government ID
- Duration of exam: 1 hour
| Sections of exam | Allotted time | Description |
| Quick Setup | 5 minutes | An introductory section that makes the candidates familiar with the test rules and requirements. |
| AdaptiveTest | 45 minutes | This section provides grades based on the candidates’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. |
| Video Interview | 10 minutes | This section prompts the candidates to record their answers to open-ended questions. |
Exam Pattern of IELTS Academic
Since the IELTS Academic test is more widely accepted globally for the purpose of study and immigration. So, we will be discussing its exam pattern, duration, and mode of examination in this section.
- Mode of examination: Computer Adaptive Test(CAT), at designated test centers.
- Duration of exam: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Sections of exam | Allotted time | Question types and Number of Questions |
| Listening | 30 minutes | 40 questions, including six types of questions:
|
| Academic Reading | 60 minutes | 40 questions, including eleven types of questions:
|
| Academic Writing | 60 minutes | 40 questions, including two types of questions:
|
| Speaking | 11-14 minutes | Three parts of this section include:
|
Duolingo VS IELTS Score Comparison
Duolingo scores are awarded to the candidates on a scale of 10-160. In addition, candidates get a certificate bearing a unique and secure link to their results. The overall scores display a general description of your proficiency in each exam section. A detailed score comparison guide of Duolingo vs IELTS is given below:
| Duolingo Score | IELTS Equivalent Score | The proficiency level of test-takers |
| 155-160 | Band 9 | Advanced proficiency level: Candidates can calibrate a wide range of written and spoken language. They can quickly grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language. They can easily apply the English language in social, academic and professional settings. |
| 145-150 | Band 8.5 | Advanced proficiency level: Candidates can calibrate a wide range of written and spoken language. They can quickly grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language. They can easily apply the English language in social, academic and professional settings. |
| 135-140 | Band 8 | Advanced proficiency level: Candidates can calibrate a wide range of written and spoken language. They can quickly grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language. They can easily apply the English language in social, academic and professional settings. |
| 125-130 | Band 7.5 | Advanced proficiency level: Candidates can calibrate a wide range of written and spoken language. They can quickly grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language. They can easily apply the English language in social, academic and professional settings. |
| 115-120 | Band 7 | Upper Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can mostly communicate their ideas even on unfamiliar topics. They can understand the primary ideas of both concrete and abstract writing. They can easily communicate with proficient English speakers. |
| 105-110 | Band 6.5 | Upper-Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can primarily communicate their ideas even on unfamiliar topics. They can understand the primary ideas of both concrete and abstract writing. They can easily communicate with proficient English speakers |
| 95-100 | Band 6 | Upper-Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can primarily communicate their ideas even on unfamiliar topics. They can understand the primary ideas of both concrete and abstract writing. They can easily communicate with proficient English speakers. |
| 85-90 | Band 5.5 | Upper-Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can primarily communicate their ideas even on unfamiliar topics. They can understand the primary ideas of both concrete and abstract writing. They can easily communicate with proficient English speakers. |
| 75-80 | Band 5 | Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can understand concrete speech and writing, followed in work and school settings. They can easily describe experiences, ambitions, plans, and opinions with little hesitation |
| 65-70 | Band 4.5 | Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can understand concrete speech and writing, followed in work and school settings. They can easily describe experiences, ambitions, plans, and opinions with little hesitation. |
| 55-60 | Band 4 | Intermediate proficiency level: Candidates can understand concrete speech and writing, followed in work and school settings. They can easily describe experiences, ambitions, plans, and opinions with little hesitation. |
| 45-50 | Band 3.5 | Basic proficiency level: Candidates can understand only fundamental English words and phrases. |
| 30-40 | Band 3 | Basic proficiency level: Candidates can understand only fundamental English words and phrases. |
| 20-25 | Band 2.5 | Basic proficiency level: Candidates can understand only fundamental English words and phrases. |
| 15 | Band 2 | Basic proficiency level: Candidates can understand only elementary English words and phrases. |
| 10 | Band 1.5 | Basic proficiency level: Candidates can understand only elementary English words and phrases. |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Ques.1: Can the Duolingo exam replace IELTS for admission to foreign study destinations?
Ans.1: Not really. Duolingo is a comparatively new test to judge the English proficiency levels of migrants. With acceptance in almost 3,000 universities, Duolingo still lays far behind more popular English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOFEL, etc. On the other hand, IELTS is one of the most ancient English exams used by almost 10,000+ universities as an admission criterion.
Ques.2: Which has a longer exam duration, IELTS or Duolingo?
Ans.2: IELTS is one of the most prolonged duration english proficiency tests. IELTS exam is for 2 hours and 45 minutes. In contrast, the Duolingo exam can be completed in just 1 hour.
Ques.3: What is the exam fees for the IELTS exam?
Ans.3: The IELTS carries an examination fee of Rs. 14,700($196 approx), including GST in India.
Ques.4: What is the exam fees for the Duolingo exam?
Ans.4: The IELTS carries an examination fee of approx Rs. 3,700($49), including GST in India.
Ques.5: Which exam is easier, Duolingo or IELTS?
Ans.5: Both the English proficiency exams carry their difficulty levels. However, the exam's difficulty level is completely subjective and might vary depending on the preparation level of the candidates. For example, some candidates might find the video interview section in the Duolingo exam a bit tricky due to their fear of facing the camera.
Ques.6: What is the validity of Duolingo scores?
Ans.6: The candidates can use Duolingo test results for up to two years from the result declaration date.
Ques.7: What Duolingo score do you need to get admission to top universities around the world as against the IELTS score?
Ans.7: You must score at least 120 above in Duolingo to get admission to your desired university. This score is equivalent to a band 7- 9 score in IELTS.
Ques.8: Which countries accept the Duolingo test?
Ans.8: Countries that accept Duolingo as proof of English proficiency of migrants are listed below:
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
- China
- Ireland
- Japan
- Qatar
- Thailand
- Austria
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Hungary
- Spain
Ques.9: What minimum Duolingo score is required for admission to US universities?
Ans.9: One must aim to get a score above 110 to get admission to the top-ranked universities in the USA.
Ques.10: How many times can a candidate take the Duolingo test vs the IELTS test?
Ans.10: IELTS is conducted 2 - 4 times a month. Duolingo can be taken only two times a month. Both exams have no limit on the number of attempts a candidate takes.
