Exam Pattern
IELTS
- Listening- 40 questions- 30 minutes.
- Reading- 40 questions- 60 minutes.
- Writing- 2 questions- 60 minutes.
- Speaking- 3 questions (division into 3 parts)- 11-14 minutes.
Related Read: IELTS Exam Pattern
Duolingo
- Adaptive Examination (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking)- 45 minutes.
- Video Interview- 10 minutes.
Related Read: Duolingo English Test Pattern
Countries that accept these tests
IELTS is accepted at more than 10,000 institutions, schools, universities, employers, and immigration authorities across more than 140 countries. These include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The Duolingo English Test (DET) is steadily being accepted across several institutions in various nations.
Application Process For both Exams
IELTS
- You can register online at www.ieltsidpindia.com.
- Choose Register for IELTS.
- Choose the testing city and date.
- Complete the application form online.
- Pay the fees with a credit card.
- Get the confirmation on the screen and an email copy.
- You have to courier your passport photocopy and observation pages (if any) to the IDP Head Office.
You can also register physically at an IDP branch or nearest node. You can also register via courier while paying the test fees via ICICI/HDFC deposits or demand drafts.
Duolingo English Test
- Create your account at the official site, providing your age, email ID, password, and more.
- You will have to choose from a list with options like undergraduate university admission, middle or high school admissions, graduate admissions, school building, none of the above, applying for a job or promotion, and so on.
- Click on Create Account.
- Choose Try the Test or Purchase the Test or Take the Test. The first option will help you take smaller 15-minute tests. The second is for buying the test and taking the same at home (within 90 days). The third is for instantly giving the test.
- Go to the page for checkout, and pay the fees via credit cards or PayPal.
Read More: Duolingo English Test Registration
Documents Required
You will have to carry your Government/national ID or passport on the day of your IELTS examination.
The DET also requires a Government ID, like a passport or driving license.
Read More: Documents Required for IELTS Exam
Exam Curriculum/Syllabus briefly
Listening
The IELTS listening section has four recordings with several questions to be answered by candidates. These could be conversations or monologues. Tasks may include completing sentences, MCQs, matching, and so on. In the DET, you will have to listen to spoken words with wrong/actual ones in English, and you will have to choose the right ones. They will also get audio recordings which require suitable transcription.
Recommended Read: IELTS Listening Band Score
Writing
Duolingo has candidates choosing proper English words from amongst pseudo ones while filling out missing texts from sentences, and writing at least 500 words in response to a question that is given. They have to type their statement after hearing the recording alongside. In IELTS, the writing section has two tasks, namely a summary of a diagram, graph, or table, while explaining the same in words, and also writing an essay as a response to any argument, problem, or viewpoint.
Recommended Reads: IELTS Writing Task 1 || IELTS Writing Task 2
Reading
IELTS has several tests where candidates read long texts from journals, books, newspapers, magazines, etc. They have to demonstrate skills like reading for the core idea, gist, and also logical viewpoints/arguments. The DET requires candidates to suitably read all sentences while filling up missing words and letters for making these sentences more logical.
Recommended Read: IELTS Reading Section
Speaking
The IELTS speaking section comprises three assignments. The first one requires candidates to answer questions about their family, interests, and themselves. The second one has candidates getting cards with topics on which they need to speak. The third task is in the form of a discussion.
The DET requires aspirants to read sentences aloud while answering questions verbally in the section. The video interview has them speaking on any topic and submitting sample prompts in writing. They can choose from two topics and speak on their preferred topic for a minimum of 1-3 minutes.
Preparation Tips
IELTS
- Complete as many practice tests as possible.
- Build up your vocabulary and grammatical skills.
- Practice speaking into a mirror or in front of someone.
- Diversify your reading and knowledge-gathering sources.
- Engage in daily conversations in English at home.
Related Reads: How to Prepare for IELTS at Home Without Coaching || How to prepare for IELTS at Home
DET
- Take a practice or sample test.
- You should understand the types of questions.
- Learn about the CAT (computer adaptive testing) system.
- Practice speaking exercises for Duolingo.
- Take practice tests as much as possible.