Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which English Test is Best for You?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many students from across India face the same question

With more universities now accepting Duolingo as a valid English test, it’s important to understand how it stacks up against IELTS and TOEFL — especially when applying to countries like the UK, Germany, USA, Ireland, and Australia.

At EV Overseas, we help students figure this out every single day. Let’s simplify it for you 👇

🎓 What is the Duolingo English Test (DET)?

The Duolingo English Test is an online, affordable, and fast way to prove your English proficiency.

✅ Take it anytime from home 🏡
✅ Results in 2 days
✅ Costs only $59 (₹4,900 approx.)
✅ Used by 5,000+ universities worldwide

Sounds perfect, right? The only catch — not every university accepts it, especially in countries like Australia or Canada where IELTS/TOEFL is still preferred for visas.

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📊 Duolingo to IELTS & TOEFL Score Conversion (2025 Updated)

Here’s an easy conversion chart to help you understand what your Duolingo score means:

Duolingo Score	Approx. IELTS Band	Approx. TOEFL iBT Score
160–155	9.0	120
150–145	8.5	115–118
140–135	8.0	110–114
130–125	7.5	102–109
120–115	7.0	94–101
110–105	6.5	79–93
100–95	6.0	60–78
90–85	5.5	46–59
80–75	5.0	35–45
Below 75	<5.0	Below 35

💡 Note: These are approximate conversions based on 2025 updates from global universities.

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💬 Which Test Should You Take in 2025?

Here’s a quick breakdown for Hyderabad students 👇

🎯 Take Duolingo if:

• You’re applying to the USA, UK, or Ireland (many universities accept it).

• You need a quick and budget-friendly option.

• You’re confident in taking an online test from home.

🎯 Take IELTS or TOEFL if:

• You’re applying for student visa purposes (especially Australia, Canada, or Germany).

• Your university doesn’t officially accept Duolingo.

• You want a test that’s widely recognized across all countries.

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🧠 Pro Tip from EV Overseas

If you already have a Duolingo score, we can check which universities accept it and help you compare it with your potential IELTS/TOEFL target.

Sometimes, even if your Duolingo score is good, you might still need an IELTS or TOEFL score for visa or scholarship purposes — so plan smart!

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🎯 What’s Best for Hyderabad Students

At EV Overseas (Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad), we’ve seen a growing number of students take the Duolingo test — especially after the pandemic — because it’s faster, cheaper, and more accessible.

However, universities in countries like Germany and Australia still prefer IELTS/TOEFL.

So our advice?
👉 Take Duolingo first to test your level,
👉 Then, based on your score, decide if you should go for IELTS or TOEFL.

That way, you save both time and money 💸 while keeping all your options open.

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🚀 Ready to Take the Next Step?

At EV Overseas, we help you with:
✅ University selection based on your scores
✅ Free counseling for IELTS/TOEFL prep
✅ Application support for USA, UK, Germany, Ireland & more

📍 Visit us: EV Overseas, Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad
🌐 Website: www.evoverseas.com
📞 Call/WhatsApp: +91 96669 63756

Let’s make your study abroad dream take off — whether it’s Duolingo, IELTS, or TOEFL, we’ll guide you through every step! ✈️🎓