TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE vs. GRE vs. GMAT vs. Duolingo

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE vs. GRE vs. GMAT vs. Duolingo: A Comprehensive Comparison

Compare TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT, and Duolingo English Test in terms of format, scoring, and acceptance. Find the best test for your educational or professional goals in English-speaking countries.
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The pursuit of higher education or employment in an English-speaking country often necessitates proving one’s proficiency in English. Various standardized tests serve this purpose, including the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT, and Duolingo English Test. Each test has its unique format, scoring system, and acceptance criteria. This article will provide a detailed comparison of these exams, highlighting their key differences, advantages, and suitability for different purposes.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Overview:

  • Administered by: ETS (Educational Testing Service)
  • Format: Internet-based Test (iBT) and Paper-based Test (PBT)
  • Duration: 2 hours (iBT)
  • Sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing

Scoring:

  • iBT: 0-120
  • Each section scored on a scale of 0-30

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IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Overview:

  • Administered by: British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English
  • Format: Paper-based and Computer-based
  • Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Scoring:

  • Overall band score: 0-9
  • Each section scored on a scale of 0-9

Must Read: What is IELTS Exam?

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Overview:

  • Administered by: Pearson PLC Group
  • Format: Computer-based
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening

Scoring:

  • Overall score: 10-90
  • Each section scored on a scale of 10-90

Also Read: PTE Academic Test Booking

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

Overview:

  • Administered by: ETS (Educational Testing Service)
  • Format: Computer-based and Paper-based
  • Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing

Scoring:

  • Verbal and Quantitative: 130-170 (in 1-point increments)
  • Analytical Writing: 0-6 (in half-point increments)

Must Read: What is GRE Exam

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Overview:

  • Administered by: GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
  • Format: Computer-adaptive
  • Duration: 3 hours 7 minutes
  • Sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal

Scoring:

  • Total score: 200-800
  • Analytical Writing: 0-6
  • Integrated Reasoning: 1-8
  • Quantitative and Verbal: 6-51

Duolingo English Test

Overview:

  • Administered by: Duolingo
  • Format: Online
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Sections: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production

Scoring:

  • Overall score: 10-160

Also Read: Duolingo English Test

Comparison of TOEFL with Other Tests

TOEFL vs. IELTS

  • Format:
    • TOEFL: Predominantly internet-based.
    • IELTS: Available in both paper-based and computer-based formats.
  • Scoring:
    • TOEFL: Scored out of 120.
    • IELTS: Band score out of 9.
  • Acceptance:
    • TOEFL: Widely accepted in the US and Canada.
    • IELTS: Preferred in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • Which is easier?
    • It depends on individual skills. IELTS writing tasks are often considered more straightforward, while TOEFL’s multiple-choice questions in reading might be easier for some.

Tables of Scores

TOEFL vs. IELTS

TOEFL Score Range

IELTS Band

118-120

9

115-117

8.5

110-114

8

102-109

7.5

94-101

7

79-93

6.5

60-78

6

46-59

5.5

35-45

5

    TOEFL vs. PTE

    • Format:
      • TOEFL: Internet-based.
      • PTE: Fully computer-based.
    • Scoring:
      • TOEFL: Out of 120.
      • PTE: Out of 90.
    • Acceptance:
      • TOEFL: Accepted by most North American institutions.
      • PTE: Increasingly accepted worldwide, especially in Australia.
    • Advantages:
      • PTE has an easier-to-understand score report and a shorter exam duration.

    Tables of Scores

    TOEFL vs. PTE

    TOEFL Score Range

    PTE Score Range

    118-120

    89-90

    115-117

    83-88

    110-114

    79-82

    102-109

    73-78

    94-101

    65-72

    79-93

    58-64

    60-78

    50-57

    46-59

    42-49

    35-45

    35-41


    TOEFL vs. GRE

    • Purpose:
      • TOEFL: Tests English proficiency.
      • GRE: Tests readiness for graduate-level academic work, including verbal and quantitative skills.
    • Sections:
      • TOEFL: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing.
      • GRE: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing.
    • Scoring:
      • TOEFL: 0-120.
      • GRE: Verbal and Quantitative (130-170), Analytical Writing (0-6).

    Tables of Scores

    TOEFL vs. GRE

    TOEFL Score Range

    GRE Verbal + Quantitative Score Range

    118-120

    331-340

    115-117

    326-330

    110-114

    321-325

    102-109

    315-320

    94-101

    308-314

    79-93

    301-307

    60-78

    294-300

    46-59

    287-293

    35-45

    280-286

     

    TOEFL vs. GMAT

    • Purpose:
      • TOEFL: Tests English proficiency.
      • GMAT: Tests readiness for business school, focusing on analytical, quantitative, verbal, and writing skills.
    • Sections:
      • TOEFL: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing.
      • GMAT: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal.
    • Scoring:
      • TOEFL: 0-120.
      • GMAT: 200-800.

    Tables of Scores

    TOEFL vs. GMAT

    TOEFL Score Range

    GMAT Total Score Range

    118-120

    760-800

    115-117

    730-750

    110-114

    700-720

    102-109

    650-690

    94-101

    600-640

    79-93

    540-590

    60-78

    480-530

    46-59

    420-470

    35-45

    360-410

     

    TOEFL vs. Duolingo English Test

    • Format:
      • TOEFL: Internet-based.
      • Duolingo: Online and can be taken at home.
    • Scoring:
      • TOEFL: 0-120.
      • Duolingo: 10-160.
    • Acceptance:
      • TOEFL: Widely accepted.
      • Duolingo: Gaining acceptance, particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic for its convenience.

    Tables of Scores

    TOEFL vs. Duolingo English Test

    TOEFL Score Range

    Duolingo Score Range

    118-120

    145-160

    115-117

    140-144

    110-114

    130-139

    102-109

    120-129

    94-101

    110-119

    79-93

    100-109

    60-78

    85-99

    46-59

    70-84

    35-45

    55-69

     

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