Duolingo English Test (DET) 2023: Exam Dates, Fees, Registration, Eligibility, Syllabus, Results

The Duolingo English Test is an affordable and convenient digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency test that is accepted by thousands of universities and millions of students around the world. The Duolingo English Test is an online proficiency exam that assesses a candidate's ability to use the English language. The test can be taken remotely on a computer with a stable internet connection, and it can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as the test taker meets the technical requirements to take the exam.

The Duolingo English Test is designed to be convenient and accessible, as it allows candidates to take the test at a time and place that suits them, without the need to travel to a testing center. Much like conventional study abroad exams like TOEFL, and IELTS, the DET also tests all four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking giving you a comprehensive evaluation of your English proficiency. This article serves as a comprehensive guide about everything related to the Duolingo English Test. You can also download this detailed guide provided by Duolingo English Test for students.

Duolingo Highlights

The test is a computer adaptive test, which means the difficulty level of the test questions changes based on each test taker’s performance. Questions will also keep changing one after the other, making it a different and unique experience for each user, where the question types don’t follow a particular order. You may take the test multiple times but it is unlikely that you’ll get the same question more than once. Although the test duration is only one hour, it’s able to determine the ability of the test taker because of the changing difficulty level of its questions. Additionally, you can receive your results very quickly, with the turnaround happening within 2 days. Duolingo continually keeps improving the test, to make sure it's secure and accurate, and has recently launched an  upgraded section where candidates take a video interview of 10 minutes and record their answers to open-ended questions.

LATEST UPDATE

• 'Interactive Listening', a new type of question, that was incorporated in the test from May 1st, 2023. This helps evaluate a student’s proficiency skills for scenarios that they might encounter in their universities. The test has a total of two interactive listening scenarios, both have two components. They contain a listening component, which requires test-takers to participate in a conversation as a student by replying to their professor. In the other component, one will have to summarize the previous interaction. Another new update is that the speaking sample questions will now be included in the overall score.  

Why Duolingo English Test?

During the time of the COVID-19 crisis when students were not able to give the English Language Proficiency exams in traditional  test centers, the Duolingo English Test offered them the opportunity to attempt the test from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Today, the DET is recognized by over 4000 institutions in over 50 countries, and is trusted by the top universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. Read: Advantages of Taking the Duolingo English Test

The DET is also more affordable than other English proficiency tests; it’s currently priced at less than ₹5000. And what’s even better is you can send your scores to an unlimited number of institutions for free whereas, with IELTS and TOEFL exams one has to pay an additional fee for sending score reports to any educational institution other than what they are allowed at the time of registration. Currently, the Duolingo exam is majorly used for admission to both graduate and undergraduate programmes in the US.

• Convenient: You can take the test online anywhere, anytime—no traveling to a test center  or appointment needed.
• Fast: Test takers can get their results within two days of completing the test, and share them with anyone, immediately.
• Affordable: You can receive your score and interview for only $59*, while most other certification tests cost more than $200.

How can I take Duolingo English Test?

You can take the test online anywhere, anytime. Candidates need not travel to a test center to attempt this test. Candidates can take the test from their homes at their convenience; they just need some necessary equipment to give it.

As candidates will be taking the test from their home, Duolingo makes sure that candidates follow the stringent rules it has set in place. Candidates must be alone in the room while taking the test and nobody should be talking to them at the time of the test. Also, aspirants can't navigate from the browser at the time of taking the test. Apart from this, there are other sets of rules which you need to follow while taking the exam. 

Highlights

• The test can be completed in 1 hour and results are shared within 2 days (48 hours) and they can be shared with anyone immediately
• Accepted by more than 4000 institutions worldwide
• Candidates can receive their score for only $59 (less than INR 5000)
• Candidates can send their score reports to as many institutes as they want for free
• Candidates need to have the necessary equipment and set up for registering for this test. Apart from this, candidates can use their driving license, government ID or passport, as their documentation to register for the test.

Similar Articles

• Whether study abroad aspirants should apply for September 2020 intake or not?
• COVID-19 effect: Competitive study abroad exams students can give online
• Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns globally on study abroad plans of Indian students

Test duration

The total test duration is one hour. It is divided into two sections. The first one is the Adaptive Section and the second is the Speaking and Writing Section. The former lasts 45 minutes, whereas the latter takes 10 minutes to complete.

Duolingo English Test Fee

This is the most affordable English proficiency test. You can take the test and interview for $59. For more details regarding the test fee check: Duolingo English Test (DET) Fee 2023: Registration, Cancellation and Rescheduling Details

Duolingo English Test Structure

Duolingo Results

You can get the results within two days of completing the Duolingo English test and share it with anyone and as many schools immediately.

Duolingo Test Score

The Duolingo English Test is an assessment that evaluates an individual's practical language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills through a computer-based exam. The score of the test is based on a holistic scale of 10-160 and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the test-taker's English language abilities.

After completing the Duolingo English Test, the candidate receives a holistic score ranging from 10 to 160, rather than a separate score for each section. Typically, top academic programs require a score of over 120, but it's always recommended to check the specific requirements of each program you're interested in applying to. You can check how the DET score equates in comparison to IELTS and TOEFL scores from the table below:  

Who accepts Duolingo English Test scores?

You can check all of the programs that accept the DET at the official website. There are currently over 4000 programs on the list from across the world. The Duolingo English Test is accepted by 97 of the top Top 100 Universities in the US, ranked by U.S. News, including Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and Yale University.

Read: Countries that Accept DET Scores as Part of Their Study Visa Process 

Below is a list of some of the top graduate programs in the US for science, engineering and business that accept the DET:

Top Science and Engineering Schools

• University of Pennsylvania, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Duke University, School of Engineering, School of Environment
• Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering
• Vanderbilt University, All Grad Programs
• Columbia University in the City of New York, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Graduate Programs
• University of Notre Dame, All Grad Programs
• Carnegie Mellon University, College of Engineering, Graduate Computer Science Programs, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Mellon College of Science
• New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
• University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Data Science
• University of Rochester, School of Arts & Sciences, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
• Boston University, All Grad Programs
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, All Grad Programs
• University of California, All Campuses, All Grad Programs
• Purdue University, All Grad Programs

Top Business Schools

• Harvard Business School
• University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
• Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business
• Vanderbilt University, All Grad Programs
• Washington University in St Louis, Olin Business School
• Cornell University, SC Johnson College of Business
• University of Notre Dame, All Grad Programs
• Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business
• Emory University, Goizueta Business School
• New York University, Stern School of Business
  Boston University, All Grad Programs

How to prepare for Duolingo English Test?

There are many ways you can prepare yourself before taking the Duolingo English Test. You can work on improving all the aspects of reading to listening. You can listen to English podcasts and read articles from top magazines and newspapers and also practice having a conversation in English with native English speakers.

In addition, you can also take a free practice test from the Duolingo English Test website and get familiar with the types of questions you are going to get in the real test. You can take the sample test as many times as you want to get an experience that’s a live simulation of the test. Read more on Duolingo English Test Preparation Tips here.

Send Duolingo Test Scores

You will get the scores within 48 hours of completing the test. Once you get the scores, you can send them to educational institutions directly from the results page. There is no limit to sending the score reports, and you can send them to as many schools as you like for free.

Test requirements

• Passport, driver's license, or government ID
• A computer
• A well-lit room
• A reliable internet connection

Hardware/Software requirements

• A supported browser (Chrome or Opera)
• A microphone
• A front-facing camera
• Speakers

Duolingo English Test (DET) v/s TOEFL 

While both tests measure language skills, they have several key differences. Firstly, the TOEFL is an internet-based test that must be taken at designated testing centers, while the DET is an online test that can be taken remotely from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Additionally, the TOEFL has four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), while the DET only has three (Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The tests also use different scales for scoring: the TOEFL uses a scale of 0-120, while the DET uses a scale of 10-160. Cost is another factor to consider, as the TOEFL is generally more expensive than the DET, with prices ranging up to several hundred dollars compared to the DET's $59 fee. Finally, results delivery time also differs between the two tests, with the DET delivering results within 2 days of the test, while the TOEFL may take up to 10 days.

Duolingo English Test (DET) v/s IELTS 

There are several key differences between the IELTS and the Duolingo English Test (DET). The IELTS has a longer test duration of around 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the DET is a shorter test that takes approximately 1 hour. The IELTS is typically delivered in person at a testing center, while the DET is an online test that can be taken remotely from anywhere you like, provided you have a computer and internet connection. Both tests use a scale to determine proficiency, but they are scored differently. The IELTS is scored on a scale of 1-9, while the DET is scored on a scale of 10-160. The cost of the IELTS varies by country, but it is generally more expensive than the DET. The IELTS can cost up to several hundred dollars, while the DET costs $59. And finally, the DET delivers results within 2 days of taking the test, while the IELTS may take up to 13 days to deliver results.

Also Read

• Duolingo to IELTS Score Conversion
• Duolingo to TOEFL Score Conversion
• Duolingo to CEFR Conversion

What happens after the test?

Once you complete the test, it is sent to the proctors and the candidate receives an email stating when they will get the scores (within 2 days). When the scores are ready, the candidate is notified through email. Candidates can take two certified tests within a 30-day period. A certified test is a usual test that you give and get scores. If you face any technical issue during the exam, it will not be counted against the two-time limit.

Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years. Once you receive your scores you can send them to the educational institutions straight from the results page and there is no limit to sending the score reports. You can send the score report to as many institutions as you want for free.

Why do we need a new English Test?

The process of taking the English Language Proficiency test can be hard for some students. Students need to travel long distances and schedule the test weeks or in some cases months in advance for taking the test. Also, the cost of the test goes to hundreds of dollars. The Duolingo English test uses technology to make education accessible to everyone. With the use of modern-day technology, the DET is providing greater flexibility and accessibility for students. This means that students who may not have access to a testing center or who live in remote areas can still take the test. Additionally, the DET is more affordable than some other English language proficiency tests, with a fee of $59 compared to several hundred dollars for other tests like the TOEFL or IELTS. The DET also offers a streamlined registration and score sending process, allowing students to easily send their scores to multiple universities at no additional cost. Overall, the DET's accessibility, affordability, and streamlined process have provided greater access to English language proficiency testing for students around the world.