IELTS and TOEFL dominate, but two newer English tests — PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test — are faster, cheaper and increasingly accepted. They can be the smart choice, if your universities and scholarships take them.
Why students choose them
- PTE Academic — fully computer-based and AI-scored, with results often within 48 hours. Widely accepted across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) — taken at home on your own computer, about an hour long, and much cheaper (~US$65). Acceptance is growing fast, strongest in the US and Canada.
Both are covered on our tests overview, with score scales and where each is accepted.
The catch: acceptance
Speed and price mean nothing if your programme won't take the test. The rule:
- Universities increasingly accept PTE and DET — but check each programme.
- Scholarships are often stricter than universities. Many funding schemes still require IELTS or TOEFL, so if a scholarship is your route, confirm before booking.
Our per-test pages (PTE, Duolingo) show the requirement range across our verified catalogue.
How the scores compare
Don't convert by memory — a PTE 65 or a DET 120 is not "the same" as an IELTS band. Each test page shows the scale so you can target the right number.
When to choose one
Pick PTE or Duolingo when your shortlist explicitly accepts it, you want fast results, or cost matters. Keep IELTS/TOEFL if you're chasing scholarships or older, more conservative programmes.
Whatever you take, preparation decides the score. Our IELTS specialist sites cover practice end to end — start from the tests overview and, for IELTS, IELTS Actual Tests.