All about Duolingo English Test Scores and how it compares to IELTS & TOEFL

Duolingo English Test: Are you curious about your Duolingo English Test (DET) scores? Whether you've already taken the test and want to understand what your scores mean or if you're about to take it and want to know what makes a "high" or "low" DET score, we've got you covered! Let's explore all the details you need to know about DET scores. 

The Duolingo English Test is a digital-first, high-stakes English language proficiency test designed to measure your English skills and how effectively you can communicate. Accepted by over 4500 universities worldwide, this test is fast, affordable, and reliable, making it a popular choice for thousands of students. This comprehensive test presents a holistic evaluation of a test taker's English proficiency, encompassing overall scores, subscores, as well as writing and speaking samples.

Understanding your overall score 

Your DET proficiency is represented by an overall score on a scale from 10 to 160, in 5-point increments. This score is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), making it easier to compare with other language proficiency tests like TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. Below is a list that you can refer to see how your score on the Duolingo English Test compares to TOEFL iBT or IELTS academic scores. Read: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo: Which test you should take

Duolingo English Test vs TOEFL iBT vs IELTS Academic scores

A DET score of around 120 or more is generally considered good for most leading universities. However, acceptable scores can vary among institutions, so we recommend checking the specific admission requirements of your chosen university.

Read:

• Duolingo Accepting Universities in the UK
• Universities Accepting Duolingo Scores in USA for 2023 Intake
• 6 Ways the Duolingo English Test can Help Your Study Abroad Dreams

Delving into subscores

With an increasing number of universities recognizing the Duolingo English Test, there emerged a desire for subscores among these institutions. This interest in subscores stems from their aim to gain deeper insights into applicants' abilities and foster greater confidence in their English language proficiency to ensure successful academic functioning within their campuses. For test takers, subscores can signal one’s strengths and weaknesses allowing better focus in future language studies. By providing a deeper understanding of your language abilities in different components, such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening, subscores have proven to be of value.

Related Reads

How is the DET Scored?

The Duolingo English Test employs statistical machine learning algorithms to evaluate test takers’ responses, focusing on the content provided. The overall score and subscores are estimated independently and are weighted combinations of the questions that contribute to each score. The overall score is not an average or sum of the individual subscores. It's important to note that the time taken per question has no impact on the score.

When it comes to answering questions, entering an incorrect response carries no greater penalty than skipping the question entirely. For c-test questions, both leaving the space blank and providing an incorrect response yield the same score. However, for listen/transcription questions, omitting a word will result in a higher penalty compared to mistyping the word.

Accessing Your Score Report and Score Validity

Once your test is scored and reviewed, you'll receive an email notification with your scores. To access your detailed report, simply login to your online account. An advantage of the DET over other tests is that you can share your certified scores with as many institutions as you want, at no additional cost!

Keep in mind that certified scores are valid for two years. If you wish to retake the test for any reason, you can purchase another test. However, note that you're limited to purchasing three tests within any 30-day period.

Also Read

About the Author

The Duolingo English Test is a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and institutions. The test is available online, on demand. You don’t have to make an appointment or travel to a test centre—you can take the test from your home via a computer and webcam.  The test is administered using computer adaptive technology, meaning that the question difficulty adapts to each test taker. The test also integrates a video interview and writing sample, which are sent to an institution along with your proficiency score when you send your results. The entire test experience takes just under an hour. Test results are certified within two days, and they can be shared with an unlimited number of institutions.