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

Duolingo is a platform where you are able to learn various languages by following a particular path. You will have to take up lessons and perform different fun activities which will help you to learn the targeted language. There is no doubt that it is one of the best platforms to learn a new language there are other big advantages of using it. Duolingo English Test is a feature that works similarly to TEFOL and gives you a valid certification. If you also do not know much about this feature, here we will help you to know more about it.

Quick Takeaways

  • Duolingo English Test helps native and non-native speakers in approving their English abilities.
  • There are generally four sections that are covered in the test – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills
  • You can take up the test irrespective of your age or the area.
  • It is valid in countries like Canada, the USA, Australia, etc. Further, 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.

However, we still recommend you read till the end so that you are clear with the whole concept of the Duolingo English Test.

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

What is Duolingo English Test?

There are a lot of English proficiency tests in the world and the Duolingo English test (DET) is one of them. Duolingo is a platform to learn various languages like Italian and Japanese with the help of different features like crowns, legendary levels, etc. One such feature is Duolingo English Test which will help native and non-native speakers in approving their English abilities. There are generally four sections that are 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 you want to. The only requirement for taking it is that you must have an active internet connection along with a computer or laptop. When you give a correct answer, the difficulty level will increase and if you are giving an incorrect answer the difficulty level will decrease. If you are learning the English language it will help you not to lose the motivation in it.

What is the eligibility for taking up Duolingo English Test?

Unlike other exams, there are no specific criteria for taking up the exam. All you have to do is to download the app or go to the official website and take up the test. However, make sure to check if the school you want to send the score will accept it or not. Also, Just like learning Spanish (which also has podcasts) or any other language, there is no restriction for taking up Duolingo English Test in the age factor.

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

If you are below 13 then you only need your parents to consent. Otherwise, there is no restriction or criteria in taking up the exam, you can take it any time you want to. There is also no requirement of getting a specific educational qualification for taking up the exam.

What are the rules for taking Duolingo English Test?

Once you will pay the fees for the Duolingo English Test, you will only have 21 days for taking up the exam. In between this time, you can take a practice test and revise as much as you can for the exam. You must have a working webcam on the device you are taking the exam. Make sure that you are having a clear background so that the camera does not find it difficult to detect your identity. Also, you need to provide a document so that the platform could confirm your identity. Further, are the documents that you may give to prove your identity –
Passport
Government ID
Driver’s license

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

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

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

  • 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 Duolingo English Test?

Following are the steps to register for the Duolingo English Test-

  • Obviously, the first step is to go to the official website of Duolingo.
  • Look for the ‘take the test’ option in orange on the screen and tap on it.
  • You will be redirected to the app and you need to download it on your laptop or computer.
  • Once you will download the app, you will see the notification allowing you to check the camera, speaker and microphone. Make sure to do that. 
  • After it, you will have to register for it by submitting all the required documents on the platform. Once you submit the documents your account will be created and after it, you will have to pay the fee for the test. 
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

Further, we have discussed the amount that you have to pay for taking up the test.

How much do you have to pay for taking up Duolingo English Test?

Taking up Duolingo English Test is much more affordable than the other English proficiency tests. The cost of taking the exam is $49 with some added taxes. However, if you are taking TEFOL or IELTS, the average cost of it is around $200. If you are taking up TEFOL, you will need to pay $20 for every school you are sending the resume to.

Whereas, if you take IELTS, you can only send the scores freely to 5 institutions, after it you will have to pay $25 for each additional school. This is not the case for Duolingo English Test. You can easily send the scores of it to 40 different schools freely. Though you must take care that the school you are sending accepts 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 of taking up the Duolingo English test. As we already know this test helps to know your Reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. However, it will be done through a lot of different exercises-

Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules
  • Filling the words and the letter 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 you to know how to take the test. It will help you to determine if you are having the right equipment and will also guide you about having a web camera and mic. You will have to on your web camera to make sure that the right person is taking the exam.

2. Adaptive Exam

You will have to sit for the exam which will help you to determine your listening, reading and speaking skills. 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. As you will be taking the exam, you will get different levels in the exam.

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

3. Video Interview

In the speaking interview, you will get to see something on the screen and you will have to speak on it for 1-3 minutes nonstop. What will you 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 example, they may ask you to explain about the region you are living in.
  • The next section may of providing the instructor with some information about a topic. Here you will not explain but will help the instructor to know more about it. They may ask you to tell them the challenges that a particular animal has to face.
  • The last section is where you will have to explain your views regarding a topic. In such a section the instructor may ask you to give your views on a specific topic. You will have to give your views on it.

Why you should choose the Duolingo English Test?

Following are the benefits which will help you to understand why should you 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. 
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules
  • As this test is taken online you do not need to go to the exam centre. You can take this test from your place only and thus make a more convenient option for you. Further, if you do not have a good exam, you can retake them twice in a period of 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 up the exam. You can take it anytime, anywhere and at any age. Although you must take the permission of your parents if you are 13.

Which countries accept Duolingo English Tests?

Duolingo English test is becoming a leading English proficiency test and as a result, you will find more than 4000 universities accept 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 
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

Which universities accept Duolingo English Test scores?

Although there are 4000 such universities where you can apply with the Duolingo English Test score, further are 10 such universities where you can apply with it-

  • 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

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

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

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

Duolingo ScoreCEFR LevelProficiency Abilities
10-20A1 – BeginnerYou are able to understand basic English in everyday situations like home, workplace, etc. 
You can answer the questions that you know and can communicate about common situations.
25-55A2 – ElementaryYou are able to understand basic English in everyday situations like home, workplace, etc. 
You can answer the questions that you know and can communicate about common situations.
60-85B1- Intermediate You can communicate with native speakers on various topics and are able to express your ideas and thoughts easily. 
You will be able to communicate easily on familiar topics and need more assistance while talking on unfamiliar topics.
90-115B2 – Upper-intermediateYou are able to understand the language easily and communicate on both familiar and unfamiliar topics easily.
It shows you have the ability of reading, write and communicate in English. However, there are chances that you might make mistakes while talking with a native speaker.
120-140C1 – AdvancedIt again indicates that you can easily read, write, listen and speak the English language easily. There is no doubt that you can understand the complex words of the language.
You also have knowledge of a wide range of words of the language which you can use on daily basis.
145 -160C2 – 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.
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

When you will be taking the exam you must make sure that you are at least getting 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 that you get for your result is valid for the next 2 years. Although if you are thinking of taking the Duolingo English test, you may be in doubt if it is better than TEFOL and IELTS. Thus further we will help you to understand the difference between the three English proficiency tests.

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

The following table helps you to understand how is 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 fee for TEFOL is $200.The 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.Again, you have to go to the centre to take the 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 and after that, you will have to pay $25 for each of the universities you send.
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

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 over there.
  • 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 in all over the world including the USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
  • It is the second oldest proficiency test and thus is recognised by almost all the universities and employers in the world.
Duolingo English Test: Tips, Pricing, Success, Eligibility and Rules

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 up the practice test which will help you to know 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 make sure to practice for them well. 
  • 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 taking up 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 for remembering the information. You must also make sure to take a break before taking the final exam.

Conclusion

Duolingo is a platform on which you can learn different languages through various features. One such feature on this platform is the Duolingo English test which is like other English proficiency tests that help you to determine the ability of your English speaking skills. This test has four different sections in which you will be studying Reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. In this test, you will have to give answers to different questions which may be explanatory, argumentative or informative.

Along with that DET is acceptable in 4000 universities in different countries like Canada, the USA, etc. When you are taking this exam you must try to get a B1 level. However, if you are having the advanced level of course you may need to take up B2 or C1 level. If you are short on Budget this is the test you must take up. Though you must make sure that it is acceptable in the institution you are applying. 

You may also like...