Duolingo vs IELTS: Which Test to Choose for Canada?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) and IELTS are both English language proficiency tests. When it comes to choosing between them for immigration to Canada, it is important to first find out which tests are authorized or accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This blog explains what the Duolingo and IELTS tests are, how they differ from each other in terms of format, where they are recognized and accepted, and what you should choose depending on whether you want to study, work, or immigrate to Canada.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a standardized, internet-based test of English developed by Duolingo in 2014. It covers four core English skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and is useful for students, job seekers, and anyone who wants to demonstrate their English proficiency. DET adjusts the questions based on skill level. Test takers may have to complete sentences, read them aloud to test speaking skills, or write a description of a picture or topic.

IELTS is a secure English-language test that is accepted by more than 12,000 organizations across the globe, from educational institutions to employers, as well as government and professional bodies. IELTS also assesses English-language proficiency across four components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, in either an academic or higher-education setting or a practical, everyday setting.

Test takers need to take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training depending on their intent. Those intending to study in higher education in an English-speaking country may need to take the IELTS Academic test.

Here are a few things to consider while trying to decide if Duolingo or IELTS is the right test for you in Canada:

Duolingo English Test scores are broken down into four sub-scores. The overall score is the average of the four section band scores, rounded to the nearest half band. These scores are reported on a scale of 10-160, with 10 being the lowest and 160 being the highest.

Here is a comparison of IELTS and Duolingo scores, along with the CLB scores, with which IELTS is entirely compatible.

There are several factors that determine whether one English language test is easier than another. IELTS and Duolingo both have advantages to offer, and a potential test taker must evaluate everything from convenience and availability to which test is more accepted in Canada.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

Duration and format: The Duolingo English Test lasts 60 minutes, whereas IELTS takes longer. Duolingo is an adaptive test that adjusts to skill levels, while IELTS involves face-to-face interactions with a human examiner who offers a more thorough evaluation of language proficiency.

Convenience and availability: Duolingo can be taken at home online any time, which has advantages as well as disadvantages related to technology. IELTS on Computer requires test takers to visit a test centre.

Preparation material: Duolingo offers online preparation courses, but IELTS offers a range of free resources, including practice tests, masterclasses with experts, and study guides.

Acceptance: Duolingo English Test is gaining popularity but is not as widely accepted as IELTS, which is globally recognized by over 12,000 organizations, including universities, employers, and immigration authorities.

For Immigration

IELTS is one of the language tests approved by the IRCC for immigration (permanent residency/work permits). Applicants must take the IELTS General Training option. Duolingo is not accepted by IRCC for immigration.

For Study

Duolingo is accepted by many Canadian colleges and universities for admission. IELTS is accepted by 100% of colleges and universities in Canada.

There are some comparisons to be made while choosing between the Duolingo English Test and IELTS Academic. Both test proficiency, but differ in terms of duration, format, and type of test. Here are few factors that highlight these differences:

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic assesses English-language proficiency at an academic level to determine whether you are ready to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or work in a professional setting, such as a doctor, nurse, teacher, or lawyer. It looks at your English-language proficiency across four skill sets: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The Listening and Speaking parts of the test are the same for both Academic and General Training, while the Reading and Writing parts are different.

Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test is also an English proficiency assessment used to evaluate your ability to read, write, speak, and listen. It is a computer-adaptive test, which means the difficulty of questions increases or decreases as you progress, based on your answers to previous questions. Its primary use is verifying proficiency for academic institutions.

Duolingo and IELTS both measure English proficiency, but in different ways. They differ in terms of format, duration, and scoring. Here is a comparison of how the four components are evaluated across the tests.

Listening: Duolingo vs IELTS

Duolingo English Test

The Listening section of the Duolingo English Test has two question types: Listen & Type and Interactive Listening. This part of the test focuses on how well a test taker understands spoken English in real-life situations. Test takers are asked to listen to short conversations, scenarios, or monologues, and respond accordingly.

IELTS

The IELTS Listening component is 30 minutes long and features a variety of international accents. Test takers must listen to recordings and answer multiple-choice questions. This component has four parts, with 10 questions in each. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording. Parts 1 and 2 address everyday social situations, while parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations.

Reading: Duolingo vs IELTS

Duolingo English Test

This section of the test evaluates one's reading comprehension and academic literacy. Test takers are asked to read short passages and answer related questions to assess their ability to understand, infer, and summarise information.

IELTS

IELTS test takers have 60 minutes to complete the IELTS Reading component, which consists of three reading passages or texts. These texts are taken from academic sources like textbooks, journals, or articles for the IELTS Academic. In the IELTS General Training test, the texts are more everyday and practical, such as advertisements, notices, or workplace-related documents.

Writing: Duolingo vs IELTS

Duolingo English Test

In this part of the test, you get 3-5 minutes to write at least 50 words in response to a prompt. Test takers are asked to write clear, concise, and grammatically correct responses that reflect good vocabulary usage. There are three writing question types on the test that require you to write for an extended period: you are asked to write about a photo, for example, followed by interactive writing, and a writing sample.

IELTS

IELTS test takers have 60 minutes to complete two tasks for the Writing component. In the General Training version, Task 1 requires writing a letter, often based on a given situation, while Task 2 involves writing an essay on a general topic. Preparing typically involves practicing writing essays and descriptions, understanding the format and expectations of each task, and improving your grammar and vocabulary.

Speaking: Duolingo vs IELTS

Duolingo English Test

This section of the test lasts around 10 minutes and helps assess your productive language skills and how well you can express yourself in speech. Test takers are given a prompt and get around 30 seconds to prepare, followed by 3 minutes to respond. This task tests speaking skills that include fluency, pronunciation, and the ability to organize and express thoughts clearly.

IELTS

The IELTS Speaking component is the same for both General Training and Academic and assesses your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed.

IELTS and the Duolingo English Test both measure English proficiency, but in different ways. For instance, an IELTS Band 7.0–7.5 will be considered equivalent to a Duolingo score of 130–145. Duolingo Scores Scores are broken down into four sub-scores that assess proficiency in the areas of Literacy (reading and writing), Comprehension (reading and listening), Conversation (listening and speaking), and Production (writing and speaking). The overall band score is the average of the four section band scores, rounded to the nearest half band. These are reported on a scale of 10-160, with 10 being the lowest and 160 being the highest. Here's what the scores signify:

• 0-9: Can use simple words and phrases

• 10-19: Can talk about oneself and answer simple questions

• 20-29: Can discuss daily routine and chat a little

• 30-59: Can have basic conversations about familiar topics

• 60-79: Can handle common situations while travelling

• 80-99: Can share opinions and navigate most daily situations

• 100-114: Can have deep discussions and understand the news

• 115-129: Can use language in professional and academic scenarios

• 130-160: Can easily understand and express nuanced thoughts

IELTS Scores

IELTS band scores provide a comprehensive evaluation of English language skills across four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The band scores range from 0 to 9, reflecting different levels of English proficiency:

• Band 9: Expert user

• Band 8: Very good user

• Band 7: Good user

• Band 6: Competent user

• Band 5: Modest user

• Band 4: Limited user

• Band 3: Extremely limited user

• Band 2: Intermittent user

• Band 1: Non-user

Each band score correlates with specific descriptors for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills, offering a detailed breakdown of the test-taker’s language abilities.

The Duolingo English Test costs approximately CAD $65 plus applicable taxes.

The IELTS fee ranges between CAD $335 and $361 before tax for IELTS General Training or IELTS Academic. There is no separate registration fee or payment processing fee. There is also no late payment fee. In some locations, the test fee may be slightly higher.

The Duolingo English Test is accepted by more than 5,000 institutions in over 100 countries worldwide.

IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 organizations across 150 countries. These include universities, companies, government organizations, and migration agencies.

Here are some of the top Canadian universities accepting IELTS Academic as well as the Duolingo English Test, among other tests, as proof of English language proficiency:

• University of Toronto

• McGill University

• University of British Columbia

• University of Alberta

• University of Calgary

• Simon Fraser University

• York University

• Dalhousie University

• University of Ottawa

• Western University

If you are choosing between the Duolingo English Test and IELTS for Canada, your choice should depend on whether you are applying for study (admission to a college or university) or immigration/work (permanent residency). Duolingo is faster and cheaper, but IELTS is approved as one of the language tests for Canadian immigration and is accepted by a wider range of academic institutions across Canada.

Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself:

• What are you taking the test for?

• How quickly do you need the results?

• Is this for a university application or immigration?

• Is the test valid only for university admission?

• Is it accepted by the IRCC?

Highly competitive graduate programs often require the rigorous, standardized assessment offered by the IELTS, which can also influence this decision.

Students, aspiring migrants, and job seekers looking to embark on their overseas journeys to native English-speaking countries have placed their trust in IELTS for decades. Here are five major reasons why IELTS is the more flexible, preferred option worldwide:

• Convenience: Registering for an IELTS test is easy. All you need to do is find your nearest location, choose an available date and book your test.

• Acceptance: IELTS scores are accepted by over 12,000 institutions across 150 countries.

• Transparency: IELTS tests are designed through a rigorous process, from extensive test design and development to validation.

• Empowerment: The rigour of the IELTS test experience prepares you for greater challenges in life, enabling you to unlock your true potential.

• Continued Success: For some permanent residency options, IELTS can be a quick path to adding valuable points to your application.