A good Duolingo English Test score can help you get admission in your dream university. Many universities around the world now accept DET scores as another option instead of big English tests, IELTS or TOEFL.
If you want to study in another country, you need to show good English skills. The Duolingo English Test (DET) is becoming very popular because it is simple, cheaper, and you can take it from your home. More than 5000+ universities accept it now. But students must understand what is a good DET score before taking the exam.
You can book the DET exam whenever you feel ready, and you can take it anytime and anywhere with a laptop and internet. Below we explain what makes a good score in Duolingo and what things may affect your test performance.
- What is Good DET Score?
- Understanding the Duolingo Score Range
- Interpreting Your Duolingo Score
- Factors Affecting Your Duolingo English Test Score
What is Good DET Score?
A “good” Duolingo English Test score depends on the requirement of university you are applying for admission. However any score equal to or above 120 is considered as good DET score. It increases the chances of getting admission in your desired university. It clearly shows that the applicant is proficient enough to speak, understand and write English language.
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Understanding the Duolingo Score Range
The DET score ranges from 10 to 160. Each section; Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking is scored out of 30 points. The overall score is a combination of these section scores, aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for easier comparison with other English proficiency tests like TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.
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Here's how DET scores align with TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic scores:
| Duolingo English Test |
TOEFL iBT |
IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| 160 |
120 |
8.5-9 |
| 155 |
119 |
8 |
| 150 |
117-118 |
|
| 145 |
113-116 |
7.5 |
| 140 |
109-112 |
|
| 135 |
104-108 |
7 |
| 130 |
98-103 |
|
| 125 |
93-97 |
6.5 |
| 120 |
87-92 |
|
| 115 |
82-86 |
6 |
| 110 |
76-81 |
|
| 105 |
70-75 |
|
| 100 |
65-69 |
5.5 |
| 95 |
59-64 |
|
| 90 |
53-58 |
5 |
| 85 |
47-52 |
|
| 80 |
41-46 |
|
| 75 |
35-40 |
4.5 |
| 70 |
30-34 |
|
| 65 |
24-29 |
|
| 60-10 |
0-23 |
0-4 |
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Interpreting Your Duolingo Score
A good DET score largely depends on the requirements of the institution or program you are applying to. Generally, a DET score of around 120 or more is considered good for most leading universities and programs.
Once your examination is evaluated, you will receive your scores via email in the next 48 hours. For a comprehensive report, simply sign in to your online account. An advantage of taking the DET compared to other tests is that you can share your certified scores with multiple institutions without extra charges. The validity of the Duolingo English Test score is two years.
You can purchase the test again if you decide to retake it, however, you can only purchase three tests within a 30-day timeframe.
Factors Affecting Your Duolingo English Test Score
There are few things that can change your Duolingo English Test score.
- Preparation: When you prepare well, your score mostly gets better. You can try the DET practice test on the official site so you know how the test look and feel.
- Test-taking strategies: You need to understand the Duolingo English Test format and use simple tricks like managing time, reading questions slowly, and not rushing.
- Test anxiety: Sometimes students get stress during the test. Try small relax things like breathing slow or staying calm, so your mind works better.
A good DET score can help you a lot. It may help you get admission in top universities, maybe get some scholarship, and even help in future job chances. Many universities use Duolingo scores to check your English level, so a higher score makes your application stronger.
If you need help for choosing universities or application support, you can talk with Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on the website.
Yes! You can prepare for the Duolingo English Test in one month. It needs a well planned study plan. Here are some preparation tips for DET:
- Week 1: Understand the DET test format first and build foundational skills
- Week 2: Focus on vocabulary improvement by reading news articles, watching English videos.
- Week 3: Practice with mock tests to improve accuracy and time management
- Week 4: Conduct a final review, refine strategies, and take full-length practice tests
The University of Staffordshire UK, ranks in and around the top 100 British Universities. According to the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the University of Staffordshire ranks #107 in the UK.
When it comes to global rankings, Staffordshire University Global Ranking is #638 in the world.
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Duolingo English Test registration fee is USD 70 for one test in 2025. Also, you can pay USD 118 for a two-test package, which is USD 59 for each DET test.
You can take two tests and send the best result for university admission.