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Duolingo ENGLISH TEST

The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency test that fulfills admissions requirements for international applicants at many universities in the United States and Canada. Unlike the TOEFL and IELTS, the Duolingo English Test is taken on demand, from your computer.

The Duolingo English Test measures all English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Any way that you normally learn and practice these English language skills helps you prepare for the test. This might include watching movies in English, speaking with your friends, reading newspapers and magazines, and practicing writing. In addition, there are a lot of great free resources online.

If you are applying to a university in the United States or Canada, you will likely be required to take a test that assesses your English ability. You may be familiar with common tests of English skill, like the TOEFL and IELTS. The Duolingo English Test is a new option, and this blog post explains what it is, why it is different, and how you can try it out for free.

What Is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test presents an entirely different approach to testing because you can take it at home from your own computer. There are no test centers and no appointments. The cost is $49 USD and you can take the test online, anytime. It takes under an hour, and you receive results within two days. You can then send your results to an unlimited number of schools at no extra charge.

In addition, the Duolingo English Test includes both a video interview—yes, you will be on camera when you take the test—and a writing sample that are shared with universities. During the test, a proctor will ask you to respond to questions in English. The video provides a more complete picture of an applicant’s English ability than does a score alone. You may also appreciate knowing that the Duolingo English Test is as secure and reliable as the other tests, because it uses cutting-edge data forensic and biometric technologies. And there is a real person who proctors the test remotely.

Why Do We Need a New English Test?

For many students, the process of taking English proficiency tests can be challenging. Traditionally, you need to schedule tests weeks or months in advance, you may need to travel long distances to a test center, the test experience itself can be stressful, and then you need to wait weeks to receive your results. In the end, these tests can cost hundreds of dollars and take many weeks.

At Duolingo, our mission is to use technology to make education accessible to everyone. With modern technology, there is no reason why it should be so difficult and expensive to certify your English skills. That is one of the reasons why Duolingo created an innovative testing experience—one that is convenient, affordable, and fast.

Prepare Your Testing Environment

Because you take the Duolingo English Test online from your computer, you will want to make sure you have everything you need to avoid encountering any difficulties when you take the test. You must have:

  • A government-issued photo ID
  • A quiet, well-lit room
  • About one hour of uninterrupted time
  • A computer equipped with a front-facing camera
  • An internet connection and compatible browser
  • Understand the Rules

After you complete the test, a proctor will review your test video to ensure that you followed the rules. The rules include not wearing earphones, not interacting with anyone else, not using your phone or other devices, and not looking offscreen. It is important to follow these rules during the test, or you will need to take it again. The test rules are outlined in the Duolingo FAQs, and are included in the instructions at the beginning of the exam.

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Test requirement

You must have

  • Your passport, driver's license or government ID
  • A quiet, well-lit room
  • 60 minutes of free time
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A computer

You must have

  • A front-facing camera
  • A microphone
  • Speakers

Prepare Your Testing Environment

A sample test will familiarize you with the types of questions you will encounter on the Duolingo English Test. We recommend that you take a sample test so you will know what to expect on the real test and can focus on doing your best. The sample test is free, and you can take it as many times as you want. When you complete it, the sample test provides an estimated score range.

Keep in mind that the sample test is shorter (only eight minutes), and the score range is unofficial and less accurate. Visit the Duolingo site to try it yourself.

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

Subscores

title title title

Literacy

Ability to read and write.

title title title

Comprehensiony

Ability to read and listen

title title title

Conversation

Ability to speak and listen

title title title

Production

Ability to write and speak

Sample Certificate

Certifcate

125

Overall

The test taker’s ability to use English in a variety of modes and contexts.
  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialized language use situations.
  • Can grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language.
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for most social, academic, and professional purposes.

125

Literacy

The test taker’s ability to read and write.

125

Comprehension

The test taker’s ability to read and listen.

125

Conversation

The test taker’s ability to listen and speak.

125

Production

The test taker’s ability to write and speak.
  • Your score
  • Your score range

Score comparison

Understand how Duolingo English Test scores relate to the TOEFL, IELTS, and CEFR. Select each button to compare.

title

TOEFL

Description

150-160 120

    Advance

  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialized language use situations.
  • Can grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language.
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for most social, academic, and professional purposes.
145 119
140 116-118
135 113-115
130 108-112
125 103-107
120 97-102
115 92-96

    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 fairly easily.
110 86-91
105 80-85
100 74-79
95 68-73
90 62-67
85 56-61

    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 50-55
75 44-49
70 38-43
65 32-37
60 26-31
55 20-25

    Basic

  • Can understand very basic English words and phrases.
  • Can understand straightforward information and express themselves in familiar contexts.
50 14-19
45 9-13
40 5-8
35 2-4
30 1
10-25 0
title

IELTS

Description

150-160 9

    Advance

  • Can understand a variety of demanding written and spoken language including some specialized language use situations.
  • Can grasp implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language.
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for most social, academic, and professional purposes.
145-150 8.5
135-140 8
125-130 7.5
115-120 7

    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 fairly easily.
105-110 6.5
95-100 6
85-90 5.5
75-80 5

    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.
65-70 4.5
55-60 4
45-50 3.5

    Basic

  • Can understand very basic English words and phrases.
  • Can understand straightforward information and express themselves in familiar contexts.
30-40 3
20-25 2.5
15 2
10 1.5