Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

Do you know the most taken language on Duolingo by the students in English? But why? It’s because most of them may be planning to settle abroad. Studying abroad is not so easy. You not only need to learn English but pass exams like TEFOL. TEFOL is an expensive test, and not all the students can afford it. To make their lives easy, Duolingo has a special feature known as the Duolingo English test.

It is the feature, I believe is useful. I generally suggest my students take it instead of TEFOL. It not only helps to determine your English level but provides you with valid certifications. I know there are a lot of things going on in your mind. So, be ready to dive in, and explore everything related to it.

Quick Takeaways

• Duolingo English Test helps native and non-native speakers improve their English abilities.
• There are generally four sections that are covered in the test – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills
• This test is accepted by more than 4000 universities. 
• When you are taking up this exam you must try to get a B1 grade in the exam.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

There are a lot of English proficiency tests in the world and the Duolingo English test (DET) is one of them. It will help you to determine your English abilities. Many of my students have given up this test. She told me that there were four skills covered in the test – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills in the English language. You can take this test from any place and at any time. The only requirement is to have an active internet connection and a computer or laptop. When you give a correct answer, the difficulty level will increase and vice versa. 

What is the eligibility for taking the Duolingo English Test?

Unlike other exams, there are no specific criteria for taking the exam. But make sure to check if the school you want to send the score will accept it or not. Also, there is no restriction for taking up the Duolingo English Test in the age factor.

Although, if you are below 13, you only need your parents to consent. Otherwise, there are no restrictions or criteria in taking up the exam, you can take it any time you want to. There is also no requirement to get a specific educational qualification.

What are the requirements for taking up the Duolingo English Test?

Following are the requirements for taking up the Duolingo English Test-

• A laptop or a computer
• Working webcam, speaker, and mic
• Good internet connection
• A room with no disturbance
• Passport, Government ID, Driver’s license, or any other state-issued document
• The commitment of one hour 

How to register for the Duolingo English Test?

There is a separate website by Duolingo, to take upon the Duolingo English test. Just follow the steps given below to register for the Duolingo English Test-

The first step is to go to the official website to take up the Duolingo English Test. At the top right-hand side, click on the Signup option.

Now add your email ID and enter your password.

After that, fill in the details asked on your screen and you are done. You will see a page where you can either practice or take up the final test.

How much do you have to pay to take the Duolingo English Test?

To take up the Duolingo English Test is much more affordable than the other English proficiency tests. The cost of taking the exam is $59 per exam with some added taxes. However, if you think you need to take it again, you can get two together. It will cost you $49 per exam. Taking up TEFOL or IELTS may cost you around $200. If you are taking up TEFOL, it will cost you $20 for every school you are sending it to.

Whereas, if you take IELTS, you can only send the scores freely to 5 institutions. After that, you’ll need to pay $25 for each additional school. This is not the case for the Duolingo English Test. You can easily send the scores of it to 40 different schools freely. However, ensure that the schools you are sending scores to accept the Duolingo English Test score.

What is the pattern of taking up the Duolingo English Test?

Just like Duolingo’s new learning path, there is a particular path to take the Duolingo English test. As we already know this test helps to test your Reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. However, it will be done through a lot of different exercises-

• Filling the words and the letters that are missing in the sentence.
• Determining which are real and fake English words.
• Explaining what is happening in the picture given on the screen.
• Listening to a passage and determining if it is written correctly or not.
• Selecting the right pronunciation of the words.
• Listening to the audio and typing what you have heard.

This test takes 1 hour to complete and is divided into three sections- 

1. Introduction

The introduction part of the exam helps to know how to take the test. It will help you determine if you have the right equipment and guide you about having a web camera and mic. You will have to keep your web camera on.

2. Adaptive Exam

As you will start giving the right answers the difficulty level will increase. The questions you will be getting are based on your proficiency level.

3. Video Interview

In the speaking interview, you will see something on the screen and have to speak on it for 1-3 minutes nonstop. What you will get on the screen will be based on your speaking level. Following are the different sections that may come on your screen-

• You may have to explain to the instructor something he asked for. For example, they may ask you to explain about the region you are living in.
• The next section may provide the instructor with some information about a topic. Here you will not explain but will help the instructor to know more about it.
• The last section is where you will explain your views regarding a topic. In such a section the instructor may ask you to give your views on a specific topic.

Why should you choose the Duolingo English Test?

Following are the benefits that will help you to choose the Duolingo English Test-

• As we already discussed the pricing of the test, you would have understood that is much more affordable than the other tests. Also, it will help you to send the score to around 40 schools freely which makes it more affordable. 
• As this test is taken online, you do not need to go to the exam center. You can take this test from your place only. Thus, it makes a more convenient option for you. Further, if you do not have a good exam, you can retake it twice in 30 days.
• If you are in a hurry, it is the best option as you will get the score as early as possible. As the scores are computer-based, you will be getting the result sooner. Usually, it will take 48 hours to get the result.
• There are no strict eligibility criteria for taking the exam. You can take it anytime, anywhere, and at any age. However, you must get permission from your parents if you are 13 or below.

Which countries accept Duolingo English Tests?

Duolingo English test is becoming a leading English proficiency test. As a result, more than 4000 universities are accepting the test. However, the following are the countries which are accepting this test-

• USA 
• Australia 
• Canada 
• Ireland 
• China 
• United Kingdom
• Qatar 
• European countries (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary)
• Thailand
• Japan 

Which universities accept Duolingo English Test scores?

There are 4000 such universities where you can apply with the Duolingo English Test score. Some of them I have mentioned below-

• Nipissing University 
• Thompson Rivers University 
• Boston University Undergraduate Admission 
• New York University 
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of the Fraser Valley
• University of Windsor
• University of California Irvine
• University of California San Diego
• University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Undergraduate Admissions

For the rest of the names, check on their official website.

How to interpret the score that you get on the Duolingo English test?

The following table will help you to know how you can interpret the score of Duolingo English Tests-

Duolingo Score	CEFR Level	Proficiency Abilities
10-20	A1 – Beginner	You can understand basic English in everyday situations like home, workplace, etc.  You can answer the questions that you know and can communicate about common situations.
25-55	A2 – Elementary	You can communicate with native speakers on various topics and express your ideas and thoughts easily.  You will communicate easily on familiar topics and need more assistance while talking on unfamiliar topics.
60-85	B1- Intermediate	You can understand the language easily and communicate on both familiar and unfamiliar topics easily. It shows you can read, write and communicate in English. However, there are chances that you might make mistakes while talking with a native speaker.
90-115	B2 – Upper-intermediate	It again indicates that you can easily read, write, listen, and speak the English language. There is no doubt, you can understand the complex words of the language. You also know a wide range of words which you can use daily.
120-140	C1 – Advanced	It again indicates that you can read, write, listen, and speak English easily.
145 -160	C2 – Proficient	As the name suggests it is the ultimate level that you will get. It means that you can easily understand the complex tone.  You are able to speak about anything fluently without making any errors.

When you take the exam, make sure to get at least a B1 level. However, according to the course you are taking and the university you are getting into you may need to get B2 or C1. Once you give the exam you will get the result within 48 hours of giving the exam. The certificate you receive is valid for the next 2 years. However, Thus further we will help you to understand the difference between the three English proficiency tests.

How is the Duolingo English Test different from TEFOL and IELTS?

If you want to take the Duolingo English test, you may wonder if it is better than TEFOL and IELTS. The following table helps you to understand how Duolingo English Test (DET) is different from TEFOL and IELTS-

Duolingo English Test (DET)	Test of English as a Foreign Language (TEFOL)	International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The fee for DET is $49.	The average fee for TEFOL is $200.	The average fee for IELTS is $200.
You can take it from your home itself.	You need to go to the centre to take the TEFOL exam.	You need to go to the center to take the TEFOL exam.
The score can be sent free to up to 40 different universities.	You will need to pay $20 to send the score for each university.	The score can be sent free to 5 different universities. After that, you will pay $25 for each university you send.

Further, we have discussed the benefits of taking these three tests-

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• This test is more affordable than the other English proficiency tests.
• You can take this test at any time from any place.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TEFOL)

• If you live in the USA, it is one of the best credentials.
• As it is a comprehensive exam, it will be accepted by more schools and employers.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• It is the best option for immigrants living in USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
• It is the second oldest proficiency test and thus is recognized by almost all universities and employers.

What are the tips for preparing for the Duolingo English test?

Following are the ways by which you can prepare for the Duolingo English Test-

• Before taking the exam, the first things you need to know are your strengths and weaknesses. For this, you can try taking the practice test which will help you get the areas you are lacking and can prepare for them.
• For the lessons in which you are getting wrong answers try to revise them. Understand where you are doing wrong and practice for them. 
• Make sure to check the exam format so that you know what sections and topics you can expect in the exam. As there will be different questions in the exam, you will need to take care of all the questions on time. 
• Try to use a bilingual dictionary in the language you have proficiency in. It is because it will help you to know the words that you find difficult to understand.
• Make sure to take breaks when you are studying as it will create a burden on you to remember the information.

Conclusion

Duolingo English test is a test, that works similarly to an English proficiency test. With this test, you will be able to know where you stand. It will help to test your writing, listening, reading, and speaking skills in the English language. The cost for this test is $59 per test. If you want to use it instead of other tests, make sure to check if it is accepted in your university or not. Also, try to get at least a B1 grade on your exam. I hope I have given answers to all your doubts in this guide. But still, if you have any doubts, feel free to ask them in the comment section.