For most students, IELTS or PTE Academic is the best English test to study abroad from Bangladesh, because both are accepted by universities and visa authorities across the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Malaysia.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is the cheapest and quickest option, but it isn’t accepted for the Australian student visa, isn’t a UK Secure English Language Test (SELT) and isn’t on Immigration New Zealand’s list. This guide compares IELTS vs PTE vs Duolingo for Bangladeshi students on cost, acceptance by destination and where a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter can replace a test.

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Which English Test Is Best for Bangladeshi Students?

The best test is the one that your university and your visa both accept, and that fits your budget and the number of attempts you may need. Choosing before you apply matters, because a result from the wrong test can force you to pay and sit again.

  • IELTS: The most widely recognised test, with a human examiner for speaking, and accepted for admission and visas in all five destinations
  • PTE Academic: Computer-based and AI-scored, usually with results within about two days, and accepted by most universities and visa systems in the same destinations
  • Duolingo English Test: Online, short and low cost, and accepted by many universities for admission, but not for several visa or immigration purposes

How Much Do IELTS, PTE and Duolingo Cost in Bangladesh?

Duolingo is the cheapest by a wide margin, and PTE is usually a little cheaper than IELTS. These are per-attempt fees, so the real cost depends on how many times you sit the test.

Test Approximate Fee Approximate BDT Results
IELTS BDT 31,100 per attempt BDT 31,100 Usually within a few days to two weeks, depending on format and centre
PTE Academic USD 220 per attempt About BDT 27,300 Usually within about two days
Duolingo English Test USD 70 per attempt About BDT 8,700 Within 48 hours
IELTS One Skill Retake BDT 18,600 for one skill BDT 18,600 Usually within a few days to two weeks, depending on format and centre

IELTS Academic is the version most universities ask for, but UK visa-linked courses may need IELTS for UKVI, which is priced differently, so check the exact version before booking. If you only need to improve one skill, the One Skill Retake can cost far less than sitting the whole test again, although not every university accepts it.

Which Test Do the UK, Australia, Canada, NZ and Malaysia Accept?

Admission acceptance and visa acceptance are two separate questions. A university may accept Duolingo for admission while the visa or immigration route still needs IELTS or PTE, so always check both.

Destination IELTS PTE Academic Duolingo
United Kingdom Accepted for admission, and the UKVI version works as a SELT for visa-linked courses Accepted, and PTE Academic UKVI works as a SELT Accepted by some universities for admission, but not a SELT
Australia Accepted for admission and for the student visa Accepted for admission and for the student visa Accepted by some universities for admission, but not accepted as visa evidence
Canada Accepted for admission, and IELTS General Training counts for the post-study work permit Accepted, and PTE Core counts for the post-study work permit Accepted by many universities for admission, but not for the post-study work permit
New Zealand Accepted for admission and on Immigration New Zealand’s list Accepted for admission and on Immigration New Zealand’s list Accepted by some universities for admission, but not on the visa list
Malaysia Widely accepted Widely accepted Accepted by many private universities

The most common mistake is booking the cheapest test first and finding it doesn’t count at the visa stage. In Australia, tests taken online or at home are not accepted for the student visa, so book a test centre sitting. For Canada, the post-study work permit asks for IELTS General Training or PTE Core, which are not the same papers as the Academic versions, so students planning to stay on should keep this in mind early.

Read the official guidance on the UK student visa and New Zealand fee-paying student visa pages before you book.

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Expert View

“Students often pick a test on price or convenience and only later find that their university, or their visa, wanted a different one. Decide your destination and course first, check both requirements, and then book. It saves you a second test fee and weeks of delay.” – Sabrina Mahbub, Country Manager, StudyIn – Bangladesh.

Can You Use a Medium of Instruction Letter Instead of an English Test?

Sometimes, for admission only. Some universities accept an MOI letter from your previous institution if your studies were taught and assessed in English, but it rarely replaces the test needed for a visa, and a Bangladeshi university’s MOI letter is not accepted everywhere.

Destination MOI for Admission Visa Test Still Needed? Notes
United Kingdom Accepted by some universities, mainly for degree-level courses Depends on the course and sponsor, and foundation or pathway courses usually need a SELT Check the university’s own English policy
Australia Accepted by some universities for admission Yes, the visa needs an approved English test unless an exemption applies MOI is not a substitute for visa evidence
Canada Accepted by some universities for admission Often yes, and the post-study work permit has its own language test rule Requirements vary by province and institution
New Zealand Accepted by some universities Check the visa rules for your course Confirm on the university and Immigration New Zealand pages
Malaysia Widely accepted by many universities Usually no separate English test for the visa, but confirm with your university Often the quickest route for HSC students

If you want to avoid a test where possible, read our breakdown of studying in the UK without IELTS, which sets out how MOI and other routes work for Bangladeshi applicants.

How Do IELTS, PTE and Duolingo Differ in Format and Speed?

The three tests suit different learners. IELTS speaking is a face-to-face conversation with a human examiner, which many students find more natural, while PTE is entirely computer-based and scored by AI, which can feel less forgiving of pronunciation but gives quick results.

  • IELTS: Four sections, with speaking held with a human examiner, and available on paper or computer in many centres
  • PTE Academic: Computer-based test with all skills assessed by AI, and results usually within about two days
  • Duolingo English Test: Online adaptive test of about an hour, taken at home, with results within 48 hours

How Should You Choose Your English Test?

  1. Shortlist your destination and course first, so you know which requirements apply
  2. Check your university’s accepted tests and minimum scores for your exact course
  3. Check which tests your visa or post-study work route accepts
  4. Compare costs, including at least one possible retake
  5. Pick the format that suits you, such as a human examiner or a fully computer-based test
  6. Book early and build in time for a retake before your application deadline

How Many Attempts Should You Budget For?

Plan for more than one attempt. Many students don’t reach their target score first time, and a retake is normal rather than a sign of failure. For a rough guide, two IELTS attempts cost about BDT 62,200, two PTE attempts about BDT 54,600 and two Duolingo attempts about BDT 17,400.

Booking a preparation course or a practice test first can help you avoid paying for a second sitting. Our IELTS and PTE preparation page explains how StudyIn supports students ahead of the test.

For students who are not yet clear on visa rules, our Australian student visa, Canada student visa and UK student visa guides show where the English test fits in the application.

How Can StudyIn Help You Pick the Right Test?

Test choice comes before every application, and getting it wrong can mean paying twice.

StudyIn Bangladesh’s counsellors can check what your shortlisted universities and visa route accept, estimate how many attempts to budget for, and connect you with language preparation support. Your first counselling session is free, so you and your family can plan the test, the budget and the timeline together.

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FAQs

Which is better, IELTS or PTE, for Bangladeshi students?

Both are widely accepted, so the better choice depends on your format preference and budget. IELTS has a human speaking examiner, while PTE is computer-based with quicker results and is often slightly cheaper.

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for a student visa?

Not for several destinations. It isn’t accepted as visa evidence for Australia, isn’t a UK SELT and isn’t on Immigration New Zealand’s list, although some universities accept it for admission.

How much does IELTS cost in Bangladesh?

IELTS is about BDT 31,100 per attempt, against about BDT 27,300 for PTE Academic and about BDT 8,700 for the Duolingo English Test. Fees change, so confirm them before booking.

Can I study abroad without an English test using MOI?

Sometimes. Some universities accept an MOI letter for admission, particularly in Malaysia, but it often doesn’t replace the test needed for a visa, so check both requirements.

Which English test is accepted in Canada for the post-study work permit?

The post-study work permit asks for IELTS General Training or PTE Core, rather than the Academic versions, so check the current rules if you plan to stay and work after your degree.

How many times should I plan to take the test?

Plan for at least one possible retake. Many students need more than one attempt, so budget for it and book early enough to resit before your deadline.