The data behind the biggest shift in English proficiency testing
By TeacherOn Research | Based on 2.8 million tutoring job postings
For decades, if you wanted to prove your English proficiency for migration to Australia, Canada, or the UK, you took the IELTS. It was the default, the standard, the test everyone recognized.
That dominance is crumbling.
At TeacherOn, we have watched IELTS tutoring demand fall by nearly 48% between 2019 and 2025. Meanwhile, PTE (Pearson Test of English) has been growing explosively worldwide, and a newer player — Duolingo — is quietly capturing the academic market. Something significant is happening in English language testing, and it matters for anyone planning to migrate or study abroad.
What the Data Shows: The Great Shift
The decline in IELTS tutoring on TeacherOn has been consistent and accelerating:
| Year | IELTS Tutoring Jobs |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2,056 (Peak) |
| 2020 | 1,581 |
| 2021 | 2,062 |
| 2022 | 1,805 |
| 2023 | 1,704 |
| 2024 | 1,071 (-48% from peak) |
This isn't just a TeacherOn phenomenon. Globally, the English proficiency testing market is being reshaped.
The Global Picture: PTE's Explosive Rise
According to Pearson's annual reports, PTE test volumes have surged dramatically:
| Year | PTE Tests Administered | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ~435,000 | (Pandemic recovery) |
| 2022 | 827,000 | +90% |
| 2023 | 1,200,000 | +50% |
That's nearly three times the volume in just two years. PTE has grown from a niche alternative to a genuine competitor that now rivals TOEFL in global test volumes.
In some sectors, the shift has been even more dramatic. Among nurses applying for US visas through CGFNS (the credential screening body for healthcare workers), PTE's market share jumped from 7% in 2022 to 50% in 2024. In the same period, IELTS dropped from 84% to just 35%. That's not gradual erosion — that's a market flipping upside down in 24 months.
Where Does Duolingo Fit?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) has carved out its own niche, particularly for university admissions. It's cheaper (~$60 vs $200+), can be taken at home, and delivers results in 48 hours.
However, there's a critical caveat: Duolingo is not accepted for migration purposes in Australia or the UK. If your goal is a visa rather than a university seat, PTE or IELTS remain your only options in those countries. Canada accepts Duolingo for some study permits but not for economic immigration.
For students choosing between tests, the decision tree is simple:
- Migration to Australia/UK/Canada? → IELTS or PTE
- University admission (especially US)? → Duolingo is a viable, affordable option
Why Test-Takers Are Switching to PTE
1. Speed of Results (The #1 Driver)
This is the biggest factor. PTE delivers results typically in 2 days, and often as fast as 24 hours. IELTS traditionally takes 3 to 13 days.
For someone facing a visa application deadline, waiting two weeks creates an unacceptable risk. With immigration caps tightening in Australia, Canada, and the UK, missing a document submission window by 48 hours can mean waiting another year. In 2026, speed is the ultimate currency.
2. The "Canada" Watershed Moment
A major turning point occurred in 2024, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) began accepting PTE Core scores for general migration applications.
This decision opened one of the world's most popular migration corridors to PTE, finally legitimizing it as a true peer to IELTS for Canadian immigration. With Australia and the UK already accepting it, test-takers are now free to choose based on convenience rather than necessity.
3. Computer vs. Human Bias
There is a widespread perception that PTE's AI scoring is more "fair" than a human examiner.
- IELTS: A bad interaction with an examiner or a "personality clash" can feel like it lowers your speaking score.
- PTE: You speak into a microphone. The algorithm doesn't care if you are nervous, shy, or avoid eye contact.
For younger, tech-savvy test-takers, speaking to a screen is far less stressful than a face-to-face interview.
⚠️ Warning: The "Template Trap"
Because PTE is AI-scored, an entire sub-industry of "Template Tutoring" has emerged. Students are often sold "magic templates" where they simply fill in the blanks to trick the algorithm.
Be very careful. Pearson updates its algorithms regularly to detect "non-genuine" responses. If you use a rigid template from a 2022 YouTube video, the AI may flag your essay as memorized and give you a low score.
What Changed in August 2025
The template game just got riskier. From August 7, 2025, PTE introduced human reviewers for some speaking tasks ("Describe Image" and "Retell Lecture"), partly to crack down on template abuse. This means memorized responses may now be flagged by both AI and human markers.
The Fix: Don't memorize blocks of text. Learn flexible structures that you can adapt. The era of "copy-paste your way to 79" is ending.
Is PTE Actually Easier?
This is the question everyone asks. The honest answer: It depends on your brain type.
✅ Choose PTE if:
- You are comfortable with computers and fast typing
- You perform well under strict time pressure (PTE is faster-paced)
- You prefer pattern recognition over open-ended conversation
✅ Choose IELTS if:
- You communicate better with humans and rely on body language/nuance
- You need time to think before you speak
- Your English strength is genuine storytelling rather than technical structure
Neither test gives away free points. They assess the same four skills. The difference is simply the format.
IELTS Fights Back: One Skill Retake
IELTS isn't standing still. In response to PTE's rise, they've introduced IELTS One Skill Retake, which allows test-takers to resit just one section (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) instead of repeating the entire test.
This is a significant advantage. If you score well in three sections but fall short in Writing, you can now retake only Writing rather than paying for and sitting through the full exam again. The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts One Skill Retake results for most visa subclasses.
For test-takers who are "almost there" on their scores, this could tip the decision back toward IELTS.
💡 Advice for Tutors: Adapt or Fade
If your profile on TeacherOn still exclusively says "IELTS Expert," you are fighting for a shrinking pie.
- The Opportunity: Demand for PTE Academic specialists is where the growth is. The test's 90% and 50% volume surges in 2022-2023 created a wave of students who need guidance.
- The Pivot: You don't need to stop teaching English, but you do need to learn the new formats. Students today aren't looking for "English improvement"; they are looking for "Strategy to beat the AI."
- The Warning: With PTE's August 2025 changes cracking down on templates, tutors who only teach "memorize this template" strategies will see their value decline. The future belongs to tutors who can teach genuine flexibility and adaptive responses.
Update your tags and expertise to match where the market is heading.
Final Verdict
The shift from IELTS to PTE is not just a trend; it is a permanent transformation. Test-takers now have meaningful choice in a market that was once a monopoly.
If you are planning your migration in 2026, don't just default to the test your parents took. Look at the data, check the deadlines, and choose the test that fits your strengths.
This analysis is based on tutoring job posting data from TeacherOn.com (2019-2025) and publicly available market reports from Pearson, IELTS partners, and immigration authorities.
