Duolingo vs IELTS: Which is Better for Students and Professionals?
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In recent years, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has seen a remarkable surge in test-takers from India, reflecting a growing interest in English proficiency assessments among students.
The year 2023 witnessed a significant increase in Indian students applying to programs across 83 countries, marking a notable rise of 9 percent compared to 2022.
IELTS is no less, this test remains a prominent choice for language assessment in India, with an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 million test takers annually. Considering these trends, let's take a closer look at Duolingo vs IELTS to understand the importance of English language proficiency.
A Brief Overview of IELTS vs Duolingo
While both these tests are mainly used to assess English language proficiency, let us understand a brief overview, before we deep dive and know all about the differences between the two.
The Duolingo Test is an online English proficiency examination used by educational institutions to assess an individual's language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This test is not designed for anyone specifically and can be taken by students and professionals.
On the other hand, IELTS is a standardized English test recognized worldwide and accepted by various institutions, where the IELTS Academic test is for students seeking higher education, and the IELTS General Training test is used for immigration purposes.
As simple as it is, Now that we have a clear overview of what these tests entail, let us now deep dive and see if Duolingo is easier than IELTS, Duolingo IELTS comparison, and other nitty gritty
Duolingo IELTS Comparison: A Detailed Analysis
Although it is believed that Duolingo is easier than IELTS, as the DET test focuses on basic English vocabulary, IELTS requires an in-depth understanding of the language and is widely accepted when compared to any other tests.
Let’s take a look at other differences here in the table for better understanding so that you can make an informed decision
Duolingo vs IELTS Score Comparison
In the Duolingo test, a 110 is considered a good score, while 120 and above is an excellent score. Meanwhile, IELTS uses a scale of band scores 0 to 9, where band 9 is the highest. Let’s take a look at the score interpretation of Duolingo score vs IELTS and understand them in detail.
The following table compares IELTS and Duolingo proficiency levels with scores.
Explore: IELTS Band Score Chart 2024: Know the Scoring Pattern
Insight into Duolingo Scoring
Duolingo measures how good you are at English by assessing you on a score from 10 to 160, going up by 5 points each time. Your score comes from different parts like Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and also smaller scores from Literacy, Comprehension, Production, and
Conversation.
Suggested Read: Top 57 Duolingo Accepted Universities: Countries & Minimum Score
Duolingo vs IELTS: Exam Format
The IELTS and Duolingo exam formats are different, IELTS has two types: Academic Training and General Training. While the listening and reading sections are the same for everyone in IELTS, the reading and writing sections vary. In IELTS, all tests must be done on the same day with no breaks, except for the Speaking test, which can be done a week before or after.
On the other hand, the Duolingo English Test adjusts the difficulty based on your answers. This is called an adaptive test. The difficulty increases with correct answers and decreases with wrong ones.
In the below table, we have clearly explained the exam formats of IELTS and Duolingo.
Duolingo Exam Format
IELTS Exam Format
Also Read: How To Crack IELTS in 2024?: A Comprehensive Guide
Making Informed Choice on Duolingo vs IELTS with GetGIS
In conclusion, the comparison between Duolingo vs IELTS exam formats and scoring systems offers valuable insights for language learners. While Duolingo's adaptive format provides flexibility and convenience, IELTS stands as a globally recognized benchmark with its standardized structure.
If you are still confused, Consider leveraging GetGIS expert assistance, offering comprehensive IELTS training, language proficiency ebooks, and a plethora of resources to optimize your preparation.
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duolingo accepted for a visa?
How long are Duolingo results valid?
Is Duolingo valid for Canada PR?
Which are the top 5 English proficiency exams?
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Cambridge English Exams
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
Can I take the Duolingo test 3 times?
