IELTS, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test are all accepted for study and immigration in many places, but their speaking sections feel completely different. Here's a side-by-side so you can pick the one that suits how you speak.
| Test | How you speak | Speaking format | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | To a real examiner | Interview + cue card + discussion (3 parts) | Band 0-9 |
| TOEFL iBT | Into a microphone (recorded) | Listen and Repeat + a 4-question interview (since Jan 2026) | Band 1-6 |
| Duolingo English Test | Into mic / webcam (recorded) | Several short tasks (describe a photo, read/listen then speak) | 10-160 |
Which speaking section is easiest?
It depends on your strengths. IELTS feels the most like a natural conversation, which suits people who think on their feet. TOEFL now gives you no preparation time: you repeat sentences, then answer short interview questions straight away. The Duolingo English Test is short and taken at home, but talking to a screen against a countdown unsettles some people. None is truly easy without practice.
The one thing all three reward
Every one of these tests rewards the same thing: fluent, clear, organized speech that keeps going. You can't fake that from grammar drills, you build it by speaking out loud, a lot. Here's why speaking beats flashcards.
Dig into each one: the IELTS Band 7 roadmap, the TOEFL Speaking roadmap, and the Duolingo English Test speaking guide. Or just start practising out loud with an AI tutor.
Keep reading
- How to Ace the Duolingo English Test Speaking SectionThe Duolingo English Test is fast, cheap and taken at home, but its speaking tasks catch people off guard. Here's how they work and how to do well.
- How to Learn Spanish by Speaking, Not Just StudyingSpanish is one of the easiest major languages to start speaking. Here's how to skip the endless app streaks and actually hold a conversation, sooner than you think.
- How to Practice Speaking a New Language by PhoneSpeaking is the fastest path to fluency, yet the hardest to practice. Here's how a simple phone call with an AI tutor makes daily speaking practice effortless.
