I have not taken IELTS or Duolingo yet; can you suggest which English proficiency test I should take in Canada/New Zealand for a Master's?
IELTS Academic is the safest choice, since it is accepted by 100 percent of universities and immigration in Canada and New Zealand and costs around 215 to 340 dollars. TOEFL suits typing over speaking to a human, while Duolingo suits a tight budget but is not universally accepted.
For a Master's in Canada or New Zealand, IELTS Academic gives you the most universal acceptance and the least risk of a program rejecting your score outright. TOEFL and Duolingo are both legitimate alternatives, but which one fits you depends on your budget, testing style, and how competitive your target programs are.
Comparing Your English Test Options
| Feature | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo (DET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | 100 percent of universities and immigration in Canada and NZ | 100 percent of universities and immigration in Canada and NZ | Accepted by many, but not all institutions |
| Cost | Roughly 215 to 340 USD | Roughly 190 to 310 USD | Roughly 59 to 70 USD |
| Speaking format | Face to face with a human examiner | Spoken into a microphone | Online, adaptive, from home |
| Results time | 3-5 days computer, 13 days paper | Roughly 4-8 days | Within 48 hours |
How To Pick Between Them
- Choose IELTS if you want a human speaking evaluation and plan to apply to multiple institutions with zero acceptance risk.
- Choose TOEFL if you prefer a fully computer-based format and want to avoid a face to face speaking section.
- Choose Duolingo only if your budget is tight, you need fast results, and you have explicitly verified every target program accepts it, since some competitive law or business faculties still reject it.
- Remember IELTS offers a One Skill Retake, letting you redo just one section if you narrowly miss your target score.
My Advice
Book IELTS Academic unless you have already confirmed every university on your list accepts Duolingo, since the peace of mind of universal acceptance is worth the extra cost for a Master's application. Check the admissions page of each target university directly, since accepted tests are listed there and requirements can differ between programs at the same institution.
More expert answers
You could sit two separate exams to optimise for each country, but that costs time and money you probably do not need to spend. One test choice already covers both destinations cleanly, so the more useful decision is picking the right target score, not the right exam.
Why IELTS Academic Is the Safer Single-Test Choice
| Test | Canada | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Broadly accepted for university admission | Accepted; safest single choice |
| PTE Academic | Recognised, including for study-permit purposes | Widely usable, check per university |
| TOEFL iBT | Usable for many universities | Check carefully; NZQA changed scoring rules in 2026 with restrictions for some non-university providers |
Tests to Avoid Unless Explicitly Required
- IELTS General Training and CELPIP are not standard for master's admission unless a specific institution asks for them.
- Do not assume your target New Zealand university's TOEFL acceptance without checking its post-2026 requirements directly, since the rules changed mid-year.
This Information Is Also Available On
NZQA, on English language entry requirements for international students and its 2026 update on TOEFL iBT scoring. Canada.ca, on improving and demonstrating English and French language skills for immigration and study purposes.
My Advice
Book your test only after you have shortlisted actual universities, since exact band requirements vary a lot even within the same country and programme. If you are noticeably stronger in one skill, speaking over writing, for example, that alone can be reason enough to choose IELTS or PTE over the other, since the two tests score speaking quite differently. As a backup, if your first attempt lands just under 7.0 overall, check each shortlisted university's actual minimum before resitting, since several accept 6.5 with individual band minimums.
IELTS, PTE or Duolingo: which does Canada accept?
Find out which test your universities accept, and which is easiest for you.
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