What is Duolingo English Test, Everything you need to know about the exam?

8 mins

What is Duolingo?

Duolingo is an online platform to learn a language. Learning with Duolingo is fun and with quick, bite-sized lessons, you will earn points and unlock new levels by gaining real-world communication skills. The courses teach reading, listening and speaking skills for various languages. It combines the best of AI and language science to help you learn at just the right level and pace.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

It is a convenient, fast and affordable English test accepted around the world. It integrates the latest assessment science and AI, to empower anyone to take the test where and when they’re at their best.  

Why Choose Duolingo over other English tests?

Convenient: You can take the test online anywhere, anytime - no traveling to a test center or appointment needed.

Fast: Get your results within 48 hours of completing the test and share it with anyone immediately. 

Affordable:    Receive your score and interview for only $49, while other certifications costs over $200.

Send results to every School: You can send your results to every school on your list at no extra cost. Thousands of universities around the world accept the Duolingo English test. You can check the list of universities accepting Duolingo test scores here.

Quick Setup: You can get ready for the exam in just 5 mins. There's an introduction video too to walk you through the test rules and requirements. 

Adaptive Test: An adaptive test of 45 mins will evaluate your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. 

Video Interview: A 10 mins test that will record your answers to open-ended questions.

What are the requirements for a Duolingo English Test?

  • Passport, Driver’s License or government ID
  • A quiet, well-lit room
  • 60 minutes of free time
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A computer
  • A front-facing camera
  • A microphone
  • Speakers

Understanding Duolingo’s Score Report

  • Scores are reported on a scale of 10 - 160
  • Each certificate has a unique, secure link
  • Overall scores include a general description of what you can do
  • Subscores measure your proficiency in specific areas

Subscores :

  • Literacy

Ability to Read and Write

  • Comprehension

Ability to Listen and Read

  • Conversation

Ability to Speak and Listen

  • Production

Ability to Write and Speak

Score Evaluation :

 

Score RangeDescription
150-160

Advanced

  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialised language use situations.
  • Can grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic and idiomatic language
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for most social, academic and professional purposes.
145
140
135
130
125
120
  
115

Upper Intermediate

  • Can fulfill most communication goals, even on unfamiliar topics
  • Can understand the main ideas of both concrete and abstract writing
  • Can interact with proficient speakers easily
110
105
100
95
90
  
85

Intermediate

  • Can understand the main points of concrete speech or writing on routine matters such as work and school
  • Can describe experiences, ambitions, opinions and plans, although with some awkwardness or hesitation
80
75
70
65
60
  
55

Basic

  • Can understand very basic English words and phrases
  • Can understand straightforward and express themselves in familiar contexts.
50
45
40
35
30
10-25

 

Prepare for the Duolingo English Test

  1. You can take the free practice test available on the official Duolingo website
  2. You can check out the type of questions asked in the test on the official Duolingo website.
  3. You can also download the official guide to understand the test better.

Understanding the Test Process (60 Minutes)

  • Quick Setup (5 minutes)
    It involves submitting your identification and reviewing the test rules and requirements
  • Graded Section (45 minutes)
    This is an adaptive test that evaluated your English skills
  • Video and Writing Sample (10 minutes)
    Ungraded, open-ended prompts that are shared alongside your score

You can also Request Accommodations

The Duolingo English Test is fair and equitable for everyone. If you need the accommodations for the test you can fill out the form available on the official website.

You can choose from the following options as your Reason for Accommodation:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Hearing (Deaf, hard-of-hearing, etc.)
  • Learning (Dyslexia, etc.)
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Vision (Blind, low vision, colour blindness, etc.)
  • Speaking
  • Other

You can choose from the following options as the Accommodation Request:

  • 50% extra time per question
  • Accessibility Devices (alternate keyboard etc.)
  • Hearing Aids
  • Headphones
  • Listening Device
  • Screen Magnifier
  • Other Accommodations

You can also attach documents that support your need for accommodations.

How to register for Duolingo?

The Duolingo test can be taken online anytime anywhere. You have to create an account to register for the test.

In case you don't have an account follow the steps below to create an account:

Step 1: The first step is to click on the ‘Purchase the Test’ option. Then, follow the steps that say-

  • Proceed with Duolingo app download
  • Install the Duolingo English exam app on your computer
  • Then finally sign in with Duolingo

Step 2: After signing in to the Duolingo English app it will confirm your possession of the ID proof i.e passport, license, or any other government-issued ID proof.

Step 3: Next the Duolingo app will ask you to test your microphone and speaker for taking the speaking and listening test. It will also test your front camera for a well lit room and a stable internet connection.

Step 4: After that students are required to choose their country and ID proof selection.

Step 5: To verify your ID proof Duolingo will ask you to hold your ID in front of the camera. Make sure the ID doesn’t cover your face and is not tilted.

Step 6: Next, Duolingo will ask you to provide the information as per your official ID. It includes given names, surnames, date of birth, demographic information like first language, gender etc.

Step 7: Now Duolingo will ask you to abide by certain rules and agree to the test security agreement.

Step 8: After successfully completing the above steps, candidates need to pay the Duolingo English Test fee in INR i.e Rs.3605/-

Step 9: Start your Duolingo test now.

Universities Accepting Duolingo Score:

The Duolingo test score is accepted in many universities in recent times. The following are some of the universities accepting Duolingo scores in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.

 

Duolingo Accepted Universities in UKAnglia Ruskin University
University of Bristol
University of Glasgow
Brunel University
Leeds Beckett University
Plymouth University
  
Duolingo Accepted Universities in USAUniversity of North Alabama
Arizona State University
University of Arkansas
Yale University
University of Idaho
California Institute of Technology
  
Duolingo Accepted Universities in CanadaAlgoma University
Concordia University
University of Calgary
University of Regina
University of Windsor
University of Alberta
  
Duolingo Accepted Universities in AustraliaCarnegie Mellon University
Australian National University
Monash College
Griffith University
Melbourne Institute of Technology
  
Duolingo Accepted Universities in New ZealandMassey University
University of Otago
University of Waikato
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand Institute of Studies
  
Duolingo Accepted Universities in GermanyBerlin International University of Applied Sciences
Bard College Berlin
Brand University of Applied Sciences
Jacobs University Bremen
Schiller International University, Heidelberg Campus

 

What exactly happens after the test?

Once you complete the test, it is sent to the professionals for evaluation and the candidate receives an email stating when he will get the results (usually 48 hours). Students are notified through mail once the test scores are ready. Candidates can take 2 certified test within a 30 day period if they are not satisfied with their results.

Duolingo English test scores are valid for a 2 year period. Once you receive your scores you can send it to the educational institutions directly from the front page and you can send it to the end number of institutions.

What was the need for a Duolingo English Test?

The process of taking these English proficiency tests can be hard for some students as they need to travel in some cases or schedule their tests months ago in advance. Also, the cost of some of the tests goes to hundreds of dollars.

Duolingo makes use of advanced technology to make education accessible for all. With modern-day technology, it is possible to certify English skills easily and at a cheaper cost. Therefore Duolingo has launched a test that is cheap, convenient and fast.

Understanding the Rules for taking a Duolingo English test:
A proctor will review your test video to ensure that the following rules were followed:

  • You are not allowed to wear headphones
  • You are not allowed to interact with anyone
  • You are not allowed to use your cell phone or tablet during the test
  • You are allowed to look offscreen during the test

It is important to follow these rules during the test, else you might have to take the test again. These rules are also provided to you before the beginning of the test.

If you violate any of the rules during the Duolingo English test you can face the following consequences:

  • Duolingo holds the right to not certify your result.
  • The officials can also invalidate any previously certified Duolingo results, without providing any refunds.
  • The test applicant can also be banned from appearing for Duolingo Tests in the future.

Q&A

Q. Can you take the Duolingo English Test for free?

A. No there is no waiver provided by Duolingo on the exam fees.

Q. What is the total price of the Duolingo English Test?

A. The total cost of a Duolingo is around $49 USD or INR 3605/-

Q. What is the difficulty level of the Duolingo English test?

A. Although the Duolingo English test is a bit shorter than the other English tests. But, one needs to have a good command of language to answer the questions within the specified time frame.

Q. Is the Duolingo English Test reliable?

A. The Duolingo English test is recognized by over 1000 universities in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, China, Japan, Qatar, Thailand and other European countries.

Q. How many times can one take the Duolingo English Test?

A. There is no limit on the number of times you can take the test. However, you cannot give the test more than twice in a period of 30 days.

Q. Is Duolingo easier than TOEFL/IELTS?

A. Comparing the difficulty level of these English proficiency exams doesn’t make any sense. It is a myth that the Duolingo test is easier than the TOEFL/IELTS exam.

Q. Is Duolingo score accepted all over the globe?

A. The Duolingo test score is accepted by over 1000 institutions in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, China, Japan, Qatar, Thailand and other European countries. More than 70% of these institutions are in USA.

Q. Which is a good score in the Duolingo English test?

A. Duolingo score is based on a scale of 10-160. Any score more than 120 is considered good and implies that you can understand written and spoken language.

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