IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo: Which English Test Do You Need for Your Scholarship?

Almost every international scholarship requires proof of English proficiency, and choosing the wrong test can cost you both money and time. The four main options — IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, and PTE Academic — differ in cost, format, and which scholarships and countries actually accept them. Here is how to choose correctly the first time.

The four tests, compared

IELTS Academic is the most widely recognized option globally, accepted by more than 11,000 institutions. It combines a paper or computer-based format with an in-person (or, increasingly, video-call) speaking component, and is strongly preferred for UK, Australian, and Canadian applications. Typical cost runs in the range of $200–245.

TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based and remains the standard for US-focused applications, accepted by roughly 12,000 institutions. Cost is broadly similar to IELTS, and it requires a 3-day minimum wait between retakes.

Duolingo English Test (DET) is the newest major option: taken entirely online from home in about an hour, at a fraction of the cost (typically $60–65) of the other three. Acceptance has grown quickly, especially among US and European institutions, but it is still not universally accepted — always confirm with your specific target university and scholarship before relying on it.

PTE Academic is fully computer-based, roughly two hours, and particularly strong for Australian university and immigration pathways, alongside broader acceptance elsewhere.

Which scholarships require which test

There is no universal rule — requirements are set individually by each scholarship or host university, so always check the specific program’s current requirements rather than assuming. That said, some patterns are useful to know:

• Programs with a US host institution (Fulbright, many US university scholarships) most often specify TOEFL, though Duolingo acceptance is growing quickly.
• Programs in the UK, Australia, and Canada (Chevening, Australia Awards, Commonwealth Scholarships) most often specify or strongly prefer IELTS.
• Some scholarships — including Turkiye Scholarships and Japan’s MEXT — include a funded language preparation year as part of the award itself, which can reduce or remove the need for an upfront English test score depending on the specific program.
• An increasing number of scholarships now accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate — a free letter from your previous school confirming your education was conducted in English — as an alternative to a paid test, where your academic history supports it.

Score validity and retakes

IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores are typically valid for two years from your test date; Duolingo scores are also valid for two years. Plan your test timing so your score stays valid throughout your entire application and (if successful) visa process — testing too early is a common and avoidable mistake. If you need to retake a test, IELTS and PTE have no mandatory waiting period, TOEFL requires a minimum 3-day gap, and Duolingo requires 24 hours, though multiple attempts add up in cost quickly regardless of which test you choose.

How to decide, practically

1. Check the specific scholarship’s stated requirement first. If it names one test explicitly, that decision is made for you.
2. If multiple tests are accepted, choose based on your target country (IELTS for UK/Australia/Canada, TOEFL for the US), your budget (Duolingo is the most affordable by a wide margin), and your comfort with the format (in-person speaking vs. fully remote).
3. If you are unsure or the scholarship does not specify, IELTS remains the safest default given its broad global acceptance — it keeps the widest range of universities and scholarships open to you.
4. Register with enough runway to retake the test if needed before your application deadline, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duolingo really accepted for major scholarships like Fulbright or Chevening? Policies vary and change over time — always verify current acceptance directly on the scholarship’s official page rather than assuming, since some competitive programs still specify IELTS or TOEFL only.

Do I need a high score even if the scholarship does not set a strict minimum? A strong score can meaningfully strengthen a competitive application even when not explicitly required, since it signals you will be able to fully engage with coursework taught in English.

What is a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, and who can use one? It is a letter from your previous school or university confirming your prior education was conducted in English. It is free and increasingly accepted, but acceptance varies by institution — confirm directly before relying on it instead of a formal test.