IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo — 2026 Benchmark
Comprehensive comparison of English language tests — score equivalence, cost, acceptance, and which test suits Indian students best in 2026.
Updated: 2026-04-01
Quick Answer
IELTS UKVI mandatory for UK visa. PTE Academic fastest (2–5 days) and cheapest. Duolingo cheapest but not accepted for visas. TOEFL preferred by some US programs.
English Test Comparison — 2026 India
| Test | Cost (India) | Results | UK Visa | Australia Visa | Universities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI | ₹17,500 | 13–14 days | Yes | Yes | 10,000+ |
| IELTS Academic | ₹16,250 | 13–14 days | No (need UKVI) | Yes | 10,000+ |
| PTE Academic | ₹13,300 | 2–5 days | Yes | Yes | 3,000+ |
| TOEFL iBT | ₹18,600 | 6–10 days | No | Yes (some) | 11,000+ |
| Duolingo | ₹5,250 | 2 days | No | No | 3,000+ |
Source: Official test provider fee schedules India 2025; UKVI SELT list
Score Equivalence — IELTS / TOEFL / PTE
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 | 102–109 | 73–78 | Oxford/Cambridge standard |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | 65–72 | Most Russell Group programs |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | 58–64 | SDS Canada; most UK/Aus universities |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | 50–57 | Entry-level; pre-sessional eligible |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | 36–49 | Foundation/pre-sessional programs |
Source: ETS TOEFL-IELTS comparison; Pearson PTE guide; official providers
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Key Takeaways
PTE is fastest and cheapest IELTS alternative
2–5 day results vs 13–14 days for IELTS. ₹13,300 vs ₹16,250–17,500. Accepted for UK, Australian, Canadian, and NZ visas. Best choice for tight timelines.
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IELTS & English Tests
Topical cluster covering IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, score requirements, and waiver options for study abroad.
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