If you are part of any corner of the internet, it is possible that you have come across the quirky marketing ads and promotions for this whimsical language learning app with a green owl as their mascot.
Duolingo is a renowned educational company based out of the US. They offer courses on over 43 languages and certification through their comical language learning app which is used by around 110 million users globally.
Every year millions of students take English proficiency tests, with over 3.5 million people taking the IELTS test alone. Considering the growing demand and the evolving technology, Duolingo has come up with an vibrant, transformative, user friend test called Duolingo English Test (DET) to certify your English fluency.
This post will unravel everything you need to know about the Duolingo English Test.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is similar to the traditional English proficiency tests like IELTS, and TOEFL. Like the rest of the tests, DET also assesses and measures your reading, speaking, and comprehension of the English language.
DET was introduced in 2016, and its completely online format was designed in a way to capture the demure generation. In fact, the Duolingo test centre was the first fully digital-first Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Suppose English isn’t your native language, but you plan to study at an English-speaking university, especially in a foreign country, to pursue higher studies overseas. In that case, you’ll need to prove that you can speak and understand English. Proficiency tests like Duolingo serve as a means to achieve this.
Which countries & Universities accept the Duolingo Test?
Despite the fact that it was introduced in the last decade, the Duolingo English Test is gaining recognition worldwide. It is accepted in and around 110 countries such as the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Germany known for hosting international students.
Globally 5000 + educational institutions including Ivy league colleges like Yale recognized Duolingo English Test as a valid proficiency test for admission into their courses. You can check the list of universities that accept DET in the official Duolingo English Test page.
How Long is Duolingo test ?
The entirety of the test takes about one hour to complete.
What is the format of the Duolingo test ?
The syllabus and examination format for the Duolingo English test include four parts: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
What are the different elements of the test ?
Introduction and instruction (5 minutes): At the start of the test, you’ll receive an explanation of the rules and requirements for taking the test.
Adaptive Test (45 minutes) : The first part, i.e., the Adaptive Test will be of 45 minutes duration and your English skills will be tested with the help of different types of questions which are administered randomly. Also, the difficulty level of these questions will change on the basis of how you’re performing.
Writing and Speaking Samples (10 minutes) : The second part is the Writing and Speaking Samples, the duration of which will be 10 minutes. A prompt will be provided and candidates will have to give a good length response to it. For the speaking part, you will be able to record your response for a maximum of three minutes (minimum 1 minute), and for the writing sample, a 3-5 minute long response has to be recorded.
The unlimited free practices for DET are available with instant scoring on the app as well.
A Few Different types of questions you will get in your DET are :
- Read and Select – You have to select whether it is a is English word or not
- Fill in the blanks – To fill the blank with the right choice of word
- Reading out loud – Read out the given text to test your fluency
- Write about the photo – You have to describe the photo in English to check your writing eloquence.
- Interactive Listening – Listening to audio recordings and typing what you hear to assess your listening ability.
Duolingo English test is designed in a way to evaluate your actual understanding of the English language rather than merely acquired knowledge. The adaptive patterns and unique questions will guarantee that.
What is the Eligibility for Duolingo English Test ?
The first and foremost question that arises in one’s mind when looking forward to the Duolingo exam is who can take the Duolingo English Test, i.e., what is the Duolingo English Test eligibility? Anyone willing to prove his/her English language proficiency can take the Duolingo English test. There is no official eligibility for the DET test.
Registration and test-taking requirements :
Registering to take your Duolingo English test is an easy process.
- Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Sign up for an account on the Duolingo English test site and fill in your information such as your age, email, and password.
- Press “Next” to continue.
- You must now choose an option from the list provided below (only one selection is allowed): Undergraduate university admissions ,Graduate admissions (MBA, PhD, etc), Middle or high school admissions , Applying for a job or promotion, and None of the above.
- Next, select “Create account” to proceed.
- Once you set up your account, buy and complete the payment for the exam.
- After making your payment, you must complete the Pre-Test Survey before you can proceed with the test.
- You have a period of 90 days from the date of your purchase to complete the test.
- What are the requirements to take the Duolingo Test ?
- The list of items you should prepare before sitting for the exam:
- A government-issued photo identification (such as a passport, driver’s license, or identification card).
- A quiet room with good lighting
- A computer equipped with an integrated front-facing camera, audio speakers, and a microphone (earphones are not permitted).
- A reliable internet connection and a browser for the test are required.
Rules to follow during the Duolingo English exam:
- You must be alone in the room
- Your face and ears must be visible and uncovered
- Headphones or earphones are not allowed.
- No external materials, such as mobile devices, notes, or textbooks, are permitted.
- Communication with anyone is prohibited.
- No pens, papers or mobile devices are permitted so make sure they are packed away from your desk
- You should not look away from the screen
- You are allowed to exit the test window only after the exam has finished.
- No grammar or spelling checkers are allowed
- Take note: your browser navigation will be disabled once you begin your test.
- Please note that once you finish your test, an examiner will review it to ensure compliance with all the rules.
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost ?
DET Cost USD 65 and INR 4,852 plus taxes in India.
When can I get the Duolingo English Test Results?
You will usually get your Duolingo English Test results within 48 hours after finishing the test. If you choose the “Faster Results” option, you can receive your results in just 12 hours.
What is the Validity of the Duolingo Test Results ?
Duolingo English Test results are valid for 2 years after you take the test.
In conclusion,
The Duolingo English Test offers a modern, accessible way to assess your English language proficiency through a comprehensive evaluation of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
With its machine learning-based scoring system and alignment with the CEFR scale, the test provides an accurate and standardized measure of a candidate’s language abilities—making it a reliable option for students, professionals, and institutions around the world.
If you are looking for an English Proficiency test to prove your eloquence, then DET is the modern solution to take the first step towards your dream of studying abroad.
