Proving that you speak English is a required part of applying to most US colleges. The two tests international applicants use most today are the TOEFL iBT, from ETS, and the Duolingo English Test (DET). They measure the same thing — your ability to study in English — but their format, price and logistics are quite different. This guide compares the two based on the official sources and covers the point that matters most for athletes: when to book so you don't run into admissions deadlines.
TOEFL vs. Duolingo: the key difference
The TOEFL iBT is the traditional test, recognized for decades. Since January 21, 2026 it has been adaptive (it adjusts the difficulty to your level) and takes about 2 hours, covering Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The new scale runs from 1 to 6 in half-point increments, aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
The Duolingo English Test is fully online, takes about 1 hour and is also adaptive. In addition to scores, it sends colleges a writing sample and an unscored video interview. The scale runs from 10 to 160. Its main practical advantage is logistics: you take it at home, with a webcam, with no need for a test center.
Honest summary: the TOEFL has older and broader acceptance; the Duolingo test is cheaper, faster and more convenient, and a growing number of programs accept it. The choice depends on which colleges are on your list — always confirm on each one's admissions website.
Costs, format and timelines side by side
| TOEFL iBT | Duolingo English Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Adaptive; Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | Adaptive, online; includes an unscored writing sample and video interview |
| Length | ~2 hours | ~1 hour |
| Where you take it | Test center or at home (depending on what ETS offers) | At home, with a webcam |
| Cost | Varies by country/test location (check with ETS) | US$ 65 |
| Results | In ~3 days in your ETS account | Within ~2 days (under 48 hours) |
| Sending scores | Up to 4 free official score reports included in the fee | Send to as many institutions as you want, at no extra cost |
| Validity | 2 years from the test date | Check the DET's current policy |
| Scale | 1 to 6 (half points), aligned with the CEFR | 10 to 160 |
TOEFL iBT vs. Duolingo English Test comparison (official ETS and Duolingo sources).
A note on TOEFL cost: the fee varies by test location, so confirm the amount for Brazil on the ETS website. Test takers who qualify under the ETS fee reduction policy may get a 50% discount — but that rule has specific criteria, so check whether you're eligible.
When to book (where most people slip up)
Students who finish high school in Brazil (Southern Hemisphere, in December) usually enroll in the fall of the following year. That gives you a planning advantage: you have your entire graduation year to prepare — but don't leave it to the last minute, because the test is one piece of a puzzle with several deadlines.
Think of three fronts running in parallel: (1) each college's admissions deadlines; (2) putting together your eligibility center file (grades and transcript translation); and (3) communication with coaches, who recruit 6 to 24 months ahead. Your English test needs to be done before the first of those deadlines closes.
- Leave plenty of time. Finish the test weeks ahead of the earliest admissions deadline on your list, not right up against it.
- Use the validity period to your advantage. The TOEFL is valid for 2 years; if you're early in the process, a score earned early still covers the application cycle.
- Leave room to retake. If your score comes in below what a college requires, you need time to take it again. Booking early is what creates that cushion.
- Check each college's requirement before you book. Minimum scores and accepted tests vary by institution — confirm on each one's international admissions page.
Acceptance: how to confirm before you pay
No single test is required everywhere: each college decides which tests it accepts and what the minimum score is. The TOEFL has the most established base of acceptance. The Duolingo test is accepted by thousands of programs and grows every cycle, but some institutions still specifically ask for the TOEFL (or another test).
- List the colleges you're interested in.
- On each one's international admissions page, confirm which test is accepted and the minimum score.
- Choose the test that meets the requirements of the most colleges on your list — and only then book it.
- Remember that sending scores is covered by the fee: the TOEFL includes up to 4 free reports; Duolingo lets you send to as many institutions as you want at no extra cost.