Duolingo vs IELTS 2024: Format, Eligibility Criteria & Preparation Tips

I recently read an online thread about a person facing a dilemma: Duolingo vs IELTS (International English Language Testing System vs. Duolingo English Test). The aspirant was planning to migrate, study, and eventually work in an English-speaking country but was unsure which test to take to prove English proficiency. 

Both tests assess reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and are widely accepted. IELTS, with its traditional exam pattern, offers both online and offline modes, while Duolingo provides a more flexible, fully online adaptive test. 

I decided to research and write this blog to help other study abroad aspirants like you understand the difference between Duolingo and IELTS and make a proper decision.

Comparison b/w IELTS and Duolingo Exam

Aspects	IELTS	Duolingo
Conducting Authority	IDP India	Duolingo
Examination Mode	Offline/Online	Online
Examination Tenure	165 minutes	60 minutes
Sections	Writing, Listening, Reading, and Speaking	Adaptive Section (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking) and Video-based Interview
Declaration of Results	3-5 days (Online) and 13 days (Offline)	Within 48 hours
Range of Scoring	Score Bands (0-9)	Score Range (10-160)

Full Name

The first thing I looked into when comparing Duolingo vs IELTS was the full names of both exams:

• IELTS: International English Language Testing System

• Duolingo: Duolingo English Test (DET)

Conducting Body

Next, consider who conducts each exam:

• IELTS: It’s owned jointly by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge English. But, in India, the exam is organized by IDP. 

• Duolingo: It’s conducted by Duolingo.

Frequency of Exams

The frequency of the exams is another important factor:

• IELTS: It’s held multiple times throughout the year, with no limit on the number of attempts.

• Duolingo: You can take it anytime and anywhere upon registration and payment.

Sections

Compare the sections of each test:

• IELTS: It includes Reading (60 minutes), Listening (30 minutes), Speaking (11-14 minutes), and Writing (60 minutes).

• Duolingo: It has an adaptive test covering writing, reading, speaking, and listening (45 minutes), plus an ungraded 10-minute video interview.

Duration

Finally, look at the total duration of each exam:

• IELTS: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

• Duolingo: 45 minutes for the adaptive test plus 10 minutes for the video interview.

Scoring Comparison (Scoring Criteria)

Wondering how Duolingo vs IELTS score your English skills? Knowing this is super important for your study abroad plans. 

Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide which test is right for you:

Aspect	IELTS	Duolingo
Scoring Range	Band Scores from 0 to 9	Scores from 10 to 160
Overall Band Score	Average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band	Average of Individual and Integrated Subscores. Two individual subscores are averaged to obtain integrated subscores.
Detailed Band Scores	9 - Expert: Fully operational command of the language	Individual Subscores are calculated for sections like Speaking, Writing, Reading
-	8 - Very Good: Fully operational command with occasional inaccuracies	Integrated Subscores are estimated based on Production (write and speak), Literacy (read and write), Comprehension (listen and read), Conversation (speak and listen)
-	7 - Good: Operational command with occasional inaccuracies and inappropriate usage	-
-	6 - Competent: Effective command despite inaccuracies	-
-	5 - Modest: Partial command, handles overall meaning, basic communication	-
-	4 - Limited: Basic competence limited to familiar situations	-
-	3 - Extremely Limited: Conveys and understands only general meaning in familiar situations	-
-	2 - Intermittent: Great difficulty understanding spoken and written English	-
-	1 - Non-user: No ability to use the language except a few isolated words	-
-	0 - Did not attempt the test: No answers provided	-

Read More About IELTS Exam:
IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic	IELTS Last Minute Tips	IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS Speaking Test format	How IELTS Exam is Conducted	Indian Education System Essay
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1	IELTS Academic Exam	IELTS General Writing Tips Task 2
MBA in Germany Without IELTS	How to Improve IELTS Score from 6.5 to 7	IELTS Speaking Tips

Exam mode 

IELTS: Available both offline and online.

Duolingo: Exclusively online.

Exam Fee

A key factor to consider in the debate is the exam fee. Knowing the costs can help you plan your budget for studying abroad. Here’s a comparison of the fees for both tests:

Test	Exam Fee
IELTS	INR 17,000(Pen & Paper, computer-based)
Duolingo	INR 5,423($65)

The IELTS fee varies by location, while Duolingo has a consistent, lower fee. This cost difference is essential when comparing  IELTS vs Duolingo and deciding which test to take.

Usage 

IELTS: Acceptable for studying, working, or immigrating to countries where the native language is English. This includes nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others. 

DET: Accepted for working, studying, and migrating to English-speaking nations such as Canada, the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia. 

Eligibility Criteria

IELTS: Minimum age of 16. 

DET: Though there are no specific eligibility criteria, the test requires a passport, driving license, or government ID, a well-lit room, reliable internet connectivity, and a computer.

Exam Pattern and Format 

Curious about the exam patterns for Duolingo and IELTS? Let’s break it down and understand the difference between Duolingo and IELTS:

IELTS

Section	Format	Time
Listening	40 questions across 4 parts. Parts 1 & 2: social situations. Parts 3 & 4: educational/training contexts.	30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer
Reading	40 questions in 3 sections. Texts from books, journals, magazines, and online sources, aimed at non-specialist audiences.	60 minutes (including transfer)
Writing	2 tasks: Describe visual information (150 words) and discuss a point of view/argument/problem (250 words).	60 minutes
Speaking	3 parts: personal questions, 2-minute talk on a topic, detailed discussion on the topic.	11-14 minutes

Related Read: IELTS Exam Pattern 

Duolingo

Section	Format	Time
Introduction and Onboarding	Setup, ID verification, and test rules review.	(~5 minutes)
Adaptive Test	Reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills tested with adaptive difficulty questions.	45 minutes
Video Interview	Respond to prompts with recorded answers. Answer prompts with a 1–3 minute speaking response and a 3–5 minute writing response.	10 minutes

The DET vs IELTS format comparison shows that Duolingo is fully online with a shorter duration, while IELTS offers both online and offline options with a more traditional format. This could influence your decision if you are wondering - which is better for the USA, IELTS or Duolingo?  

Related Read: Duolingo English Test Pattern

Countries That Accept These Tests

IELTS is accepted at more than 12,000 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 accepted across 5000+ institutions in various nations. 

Application Process For Duolingo and IELTS

IELTS

1. Register Online: Go to www.ieltsidpindia.com.

2. Select Register for IELTS: Choose your testing city and date.

3. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application.

4. Pay the Fees: Use a credit card to pay the fees.

5. Confirmation: Get the confirmation on the screen and via email.

6. Send Documents: Courier your passport photocopy and observation pages (if any) to the IDP Head Office.

Other Registration Options:

• Physically: Register at an IDP branch or nearest node.

• Via Courier: Pay the test fees via ICICI/HDFC deposits or demand drafts.

Duolingo English Test

1. Create an Account: Visit the official site and provide your age, email ID, password, and other details.

2. Select Your Purpose: Choose from options like undergraduate university admission, middle or high school admissions, graduate admissions, etc.

3. Create Account: Click on Create Account.

4. Choose Your Test Option:

• Try the Test: Take smaller 15-minute practice tests.

• Purchase the Test: Buy the test and take it at home within 90 days.

• Take the Test: Instantly give the test.

5. Checkout and Pay: Complete the payment using credit cards or PayPal.

Read More: Duolingo English Test Registration

Documents Required

• IELTS: Carry your government/national ID or passport on the day of the examination.

• DET: Requires a government ID, such as a passport or driving license.

Read More: Documents Required for IELTS Exam

Exam Curriculum/Syllabus 

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. You 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 tasks. 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. 

Validity Timeline and Difficulty Level

Validity Timeline

Wondering how long your English test scores are valid? Let’s look at how the Duolingo English Test (DET) and IELTS compare in terms of score validity and flexibility.

Aspect	Duolingo English Test	IELTS
Scores Validity	2 years	2 years

Difficulty Level

If you’re unsure about how hard these tests are, here’s a quick comparison of Duolingo and IELTS  on their testing style and overall experience:

Aspect	Duolingo English Test	IELTS
Adaptive Testing	Yes, adjusts difficulty based on responses.	No, fixed format.
User Experience	User-friendly, less intimidating, taken in a comfortable environment.	Traditional and structured, face-to-face speaking components can be challenging.
Test Format	Interactive and engaging with varied question types.	Standardized with a fixed structure and question types.
Speaking Test	Recorded responses can be retaken if needed.	Face-to-face with an examiner can be stressful.
Preparation	Requires familiarization with the test format and less extensive preparation.	Often requires more intensive preparation and study time.
Question Complexity	Adjusts to your level, starts easy, and becomes challenging.	Consistent level of difficulty throughout the test.

Preparation Tips 

IELTS

1. Complete as many practice tests as possible. 
2. Build up your vocabulary and grammatical skills. 
3. Practice speaking into a mirror or in front of someone. 
4. Diversify your reading and knowledge-gathering sources. 
5. 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

1. Take a practice or sample test. 
2. You should understand the types of questions. 
3. Learn about the CAT (computer adaptive testing) system. 
4. Practice speaking exercises for Duolingo. 
5. Take practice tests as much as possible.

Related Read: Duolingo English Test Preparation

Do's and Don'ts of both Duolingo and IELTS

Whether you're looking at the difference between Duolingo and IELTS or trying to decide which test is better, knowing these do's and don'ts for both Duolingo and IELTS can help you avoid common pitfalls and improve your test performance. 

IELTS Do's and Don'ts

Do's	Don'ts
Answer all questions – you don’t lose marks for blank spaces.	Rush transferring your answers to the answer sheet.
Use preparation time to highlight key words in the question page.	Use the wrong punctuation for numbers.
Stick to your word limit (e.g. no more than 2 words and/or a number).	Just use practice tests – try listening to a variety of materials.
Look at the heading and sub-heading of the article for a general idea	Waste time on one question if you don’t know the answer
Use linking devices (e.g., however, so) to connect your ideas	Give short and unclear answers in the Speaking section

Duolingo Do's and Don'ts

Do's	Don'ts
Ensure your computer’s camera, speakers, and microphone are functioning properly.	Attempt the test without proper ID verification.
Take the time to review the test rules and requirements.	Start the test without understanding the format.
Answer all questions to the best of your ability.	Rush through questions without understanding.
Take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the adaptive format.	Rely solely on the test day performance.
Check your internet connection and test environment before starting the exam	Forget to check the time while answering the questions

Result Declaration

Wondering when you'll get your results for Duolingo or IELTS test? Knowing the timeline and process can help you plan better and ease the anxiety of waiting. Here’s a quick overview to guide you:

IELTS Result Declaration

How and When You Get Results:

Test Type	Result Time
IELTS Online	6–8 days
IELTS on Computer	1–5 days
IELTS on Paper	Up to 13 days
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)	Up to 13 days
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills	Up to 7 days

• Test Report Form (TRF): You’ll get an official IELTS TRF, either as a paper copy or a digital version (eTRF).
• Accessing Results: View your results through the Test Taker portal using your ID number and candidate number.
• Email Notification: Depending on your registration (British Council, IDP, USA), you'll receive an email with a link to your scores.

Duolingo Result Declaration

How and When You Get Results:

Test Type	Result Time
Standard	Within 2 days
Faster Results Option	Within 12 hours

• Notification: You’ll get an email when your result is ready.

If you're wondering if duolingo is harder than ielts, knowing the result timelines and processes might help you make a more informed choice. 

IELTS vs Duolingo Proficiency Level

The Duolingo vs IELTS score comparison chart should help you understand how your scores translate between the two tests. 

IELTS Band Score	IELTS Proficiency Level	Duolingo Score Range	Duolingo Proficiency Level
9	Expert	155-160	Expert
8	Very Good	145-150	Very Good
7	Good	135-140	Good
6	Competent	115-130	Competent
5	Modest	105-110	Modest
4	Limited	85-100	Limited
3	Extremely Limited	65-80	Extremely Limited
2	Intermittent	45-60	Intermittent
1	Non-User	10-40	Non-User
0	Did not attempt the test	N/A	Did not attempt the test

Knowing your proficiency level can guide your decision on whether Duolingo or IELTS is better suited for your needs, especially if you’re asking yourself if Duolingo is harder than IELTS.

Related Articles:
Universities Accepting IELTS in USA	Duolingo Accepted Universities in UK
US Universities Accepting IELTS For MS	Universities Accepting Duolingo Test In USA

Conclusion

I feel choosing between Duolingo and IELTS comes down to your personal goals and preferences. Each test has its own strengths, and understanding the difference between Duolingo and IELTS can help you make the right choice. Remember, thorough preparation is key. Best of luck on your journey to studying abroad.