IELTS vs other English tests comes down to 3 things: acceptance, scores and test format. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo and Cambridge can meet different study needs. A university offer does not make every test valid for immigration. Start with the application you need to complete. Then compare the options below.
Canada Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core. IELTS Academic and PTE Academic do not meet that test requirement. The same applies to TOEFL, DET and Cambridge. CELPIP-General is another approved English option.
Sources: IRCC, Express Entry Language Test Results.
IELTS vs other English tests at a glance
The table compares the main study tests. DET means Duolingo English Test. Cambridge means C1 Advanced here, rather than every Cambridge exam.
| Test | Main delivery | Speaking | Test time | Scores and usual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Computer at a test centre | Live examiner | 2 hours 45 minutes | 0–9 bands · computer results in 1–5 days |
| TOEFL iBT | Test centre or Home Edition | Recorded responses | Allow about 2 hours | 1–6, in half points · results in about 3 days |
| PTE Academic | Computer at a test centre | Microphone responses | About 2 hours | 10–90 · typically within 2 days |
| Duolingo English Test | Online at home | Recorded responses | About 1 hour | 10–160 · typically within 2 days |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Digital or paper at a centre | Examiner, usually with another candidate | About 3 hours 55 minutes | C1 certificate at 180–199 · digital results in 1–2 weeks, paper in 4–6 weeks |
Sources: IELTS, Ways to take IELTS · IDP IELTS India, IELTS test fees · ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content · ETS, Understanding TOEFL iBT Scores · Pearson, PTE Academic · Pearson, PTE Academic Scoring · Duolingo English Test, Test Readiness Guide · Duolingo English Test, Scoring Guide for Teachers 2026 · Cambridge English, C1 Advanced Handbook · Cambridge English, C1 Advanced Information for Candidates.
IELTS announced a move to computer delivery from mid-2026. Local changeover dates differ. Some markets offer Writing on Paper, with Listening and Reading on computer. This is different from the former full paper test.
IELTS Online is a separate Academic option taken at home. Its Speaking test uses a video call. Results normally take 6–8 days, and the receiving organisation decides whether to accept it.
Sources: IELTS, Ways to take IELTS · IELTS, Updates to IELTS test delivery.
Acceptance: study, visas and professional registration
A test can work for one application and fail another. The useful question is whether the named course or route accepts your exact version.
| Your purpose | What works in this example | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin, Band B admission | All 5 tests in the score table below. TOEFL Home Edition is also accepted. | Assuming these scores apply to every course or university. |
| Canada Express Entry, English evidence | IELTS General Training, PTE Core or CELPIP-General. | Academic versions or IELTS One Skill Retake. |
| UK Skilled Worker, test route | An approved Secure English Language Test at B2. IELTS for UKVI needs 5.5 in each skill. | Treating a standard university English test as a SELT. |
| New Zealand teacher registration, IELTS route | Academic, 7.0 overall and in every skill. | Using a lower university admission score for teacher registration. |
Sources: Trinity College Dublin, English Language Requirements · IRCC, Express Entry Language Test Results · UK Home Office, Skilled Worker: Knowledge of English · IELTS, Tests for UK Visas and Immigration · Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, Language Competency Requirements.
SELT means Secure English Language Test. It is a test approved for a specific UK immigration use. B2 is a level on the Common European Framework of Reference, or CEFR, language scale. Some applicants can use accepted qualifications or other evidence instead of a test.
Planning tip: list every stage before choosing an exam. Put admission, professional registration and immigration on separate lines. A low-cost admission test may still leave you needing a second exam later.
For IELTS, our Academic vs General Training guide explains the version choices.
Scores you can actually use: a university example
Here are Trinity College Dublin’s published Band B requirements. They show why an estimated score conversion is not an entry requirement. Each row is an alternative English test for this admission band.
| Test | Overall minimum | Minimum in each skill or subscore |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 in each band |
| TOEFL iBT, before 21 January 2026 | 90 | 21 in each section |
| TOEFL iBT, new scale | 4.5 | 4.0 in each section |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 59 in each section |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 100 in each integrated subscore |
| Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency | 180 | 170 in each score |
Trinity requires results issued within 2 years before the course starts. Higher-entry courses use Band C.
Sources: Trinity College Dublin, English Language Requirements.
TOEFL changed its score scale on 21 January 2026. ETS reports a comparable overall 0–120 score during a 2-year transition. New reports also show the 1–6 scale. Use the scale and component scores your recipient requests.
Example: if you apply to a Trinity Band B course, PTE 63 would miss its 69 overall requirement. A general IELTS-to-PTE chart cannot replace that course rule. This is a worked example, not a student case study.
Cost: real examples with the market clearly named
There is no single worldwide IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge price. These published examples give you a useful starting point. Currencies and markets differ, so they do not form a global cheapest-to-costliest ranking.
| Test | Market and listed fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | India: ₹19,000 | IDP standard test fee. Computer UKVI is ₹19,250. |
| TOEFL iBT | India: ₹15,729 | ETS India registration fee. |
| PTE Academic | India: ₹18,900 | Pearson live country fee selector. |
| Duolingo English Test | US$70 | Standard test price in Duolingo’s readiness guide. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Italy: €271.50 | Recommended private-candidate price for 2026/27. Centres set their charges. |
Sources: IDP IELTS India, IELTS test fees · ETS India, TOEFL iBT Test Fees · Pearson, Test Centers and Fees, India selection · Duolingo English Test, Test Readiness Guide · Cambridge English, C1 Advanced Prices in Italy 2026/27.
Add travel, score delivery, rescheduling and possible retests to your budget. For example, ETS India lists ₹5,000 for rescheduling. DET includes sending certified scores to unlimited institutions without a separate score-send fee.
A cheaper exam saves money only when it meets your application needs. Compare the total cost of your plan, not just the first booking fee.
Which format fits how you work?
Prefer a live conversation?
IELTS Speaking uses a live examiner. Cambridge Speaking usually includes another candidate. Try both formats before deciding which feels more manageable.
Prefer speaking into a microphone?
TOEFL and PTE use recorded speaking tasks. The new TOEFL includes Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview. Practise using a timer and microphone.
Need a home option?
DET is taken at home. TOEFL offers Home Edition. A home option still needs the recipient’s acceptance and a suitable test environment.
Want a lasting certificate?
Cambridge certificates do not expire. That does not remove a university’s recent-result rule. Certificate validity and acceptance are different questions.
Sources: IELTS, Ways to take IELTS · Cambridge English, C1 Advanced Handbook · ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content · Pearson, PTE Academic · Duolingo English Test, Test Readiness Guide · Cambridge English, Certificate Validity.
No format is automatically easier. Compare a timed sample with your target score. Notice where you lose marks or time. Typing speed, microphone comfort and task familiarity are useful decision factors.
PTE uses AI scoring, with human review for some complex responses. Do not choose it on the claim that humans never review your work.
Sources: Pearson, PTE Academic Scoring.
Choose your test in 4 steps
Write down the recipient
Name the course, regulator or visa route. Avoid a broad label such as “Canada”.
Record the full requirement
Write the test version, overall score, skill floors and accepted delivery mode.
Work back from the deadline
Allow time for results, delivery and a possible retest. Do not plan around the fastest advertised result alone.
Try the shortlisted formats
Compare timed tasks. Choose among accepted tests using your current skills, budget and available appointments.
If IELTS is on your shortlist, start with a free IELTS practice test. Use the band score calculator to compare skill targets. Then follow our IELTS booking guide.
Quick summary
Choose from the tests your recipient accepts. Compare the full score rule, not just an overall conversion. Include delivery mode, result timing and total cost. Treat each later visa or professional step as a separate requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS easier than TOEFL or PTE?
There is no universal answer. Try timed samples and compare them with the scores you need. A familiar format can feel easier without changing the required English level.
Can I use Duolingo for Canada Express Entry?
No. Its approved English options are IELTS General Training, PTE Core and CELPIP-General. This is an Express Entry rule, not a claim about Canadian university admission.
What is the TOEFL score scale now?
Tests from 21 January 2026 use 1–6, in half points. ETS also provides a comparable overall 0–120 score during the 2-year transition.
Does a Cambridge certificate last forever?
The certificate has no expiry date. A recipient can still require recent evidence. This means an older certificate may not meet a particular application rule.
Are online and test-centre results interchangeable?
Do not assume that. Trinity accepts TOEFL Home Edition. IELTS Online acceptance is decided by each receiving organisation. Delivery mode is part of the requirement.
Can one English test cover study and immigration?
Sometimes. First match the test version and scores to every stage. Canada Express Entry, for example, requires General Training when you use IELTS. An Academic admission result will not satisfy that test rule.