What Is the Duolingo English Test? 2023 Guide

The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency assessment used to evaluate your ability to read, write, speak, and listen to English. As you progress through this computer-adaptive test, the question difficulty increases or decreases based on your answers to previous questions. In addition to multiple-choice questions, you answer open-ended questions to assess your spoken and written English skills. The computer grades all the questions you answer. You also have an opportunity to record a video interview and write a sample.

If you’re considering studying overseas, many colleges and universities in the United States require proof of English language skills for prospective international students. This test has become a popular alternative to the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL for this purpose.

Uses for the Duolingo English Test

Although the primary use for the Duolingo English Test is verifying English proficiency for academic institutions, the results apply to any situation that requires proof of your skills. This includes job interviews and applicant verification. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you may take the Duolingo English Test:

Standardised English proficiency test

The Duolingo English Test is a standardised test similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests. You can often use the score reports as a replacement for these tests at a growing number of universities.

English placement test 

Schools may use the Duolingo English Test as a placement test for incoming international students. This could mean getting properly placed in an English class that suits your ability level or receiving the right educational support services for a more successful college experience.

Corporate verification of applicants 

You can include a link to your Duolingo English Test score reports on your Linkedin account or resume. This helps potential employers verify your English proficiency as part of the interview process, as they can review your taped responses to random interview questions. It also helps you distinguish yourself from others applying for the same job.

How to take the Duolingo English Test 

To take the Duolingo English Test, you need a computer with a reliable internet connection and a front-facing camera. The entire test takes place online, and an invigilator reviews your recording to ensure you follow the rules. For this reason, you must be in a well-lit room with the computer's video camera, microphone, and speakers turned on. If you use a Mac to take the test, you must give permission to record your computer screen, along with keystroke access before starting the test.

The Duolingo English Test takes about one hour to complete. It’s broken down into three segments:

• Introduction and setup (five minutes)

• Adaptive test (45 minutes)

• Video interview (10 minutes)

You'll receive your results within 48 hours, and those results remain valid for two years.

Duolingo has strict testing rules for all test-takers to follow. These rules include: 

• Keep ears and face uncovered and visible to the invigilator at all times.

• Keep mobile devices, notes, and textbooks away from the test area.

• Look at the device screen at all times during the test.

• Stay in the test window at all times.

• Avoid using predictive text input tools and web camera software.

Benefits of the Duolingo English Test  

The Duolingo English Test offers several perks compared to similar tests, such as the TOEFL and IELTS. As long as the organisation verifying your language proficiency accepts the Duolingo test, these perks may be the deciding factor for you to choose the test.

It’s cost-effective. 

The Duolingo English Test costs 59 USD plus applicable taxes as of September 2023, and you can send your scores to up to 40 institutions for no extra cost. The TOEFL test, by comparison, can cost around 200 USD, depending on your testing location, plus about 20 USD per additional score report you’d like to send. IELTS, meanwhile, charges more than 200 USD for their exam, depending on your location.

It’s convenient.

You can take the Duolingo English exam from any quiet, private, and bright location with a properly equipped computer and an internet connection. Once you buy the test, you can take it anytime in the following 21 days—no need to make an appointment. Plus, if you had a bad test day, you can easily purchase and take the test again, as many as two more times in a 30-day period.

It’s quick.

Since a computer scores all sections of the Duolingo English test, you get your results quickly. They should be available within 48 hours after you submit the test—a big bonus if you face application deadlines.

Preparing for the test 

As an adaptive test, the question difficulty for the Duolingo English test will adjust as you work through the questions, and you likely will need to determine beforehand exactly which questions you'll receive on test day.

Your score is meant to reflect your actual English proficiency. So there may be better ideas than revising for the test. Here are a few ways to get ready: 

Free practice tests 

Duolingo offers free practice test questions on its website. Reviewing these questions lets you see the types of questions you have to answer so you're more comfortable with them on the test day. You may find other practice tests and questions through other online sources as well.

Test readiness guide

The official Test Readiness Guide available on the Duolingo website includes free practice tests, a downloadable guide, an overview of the test process, and examples of each type of question on the test. In the downloadable guide, pay close attention to the 'Prepare your environment' and 'Test security' sections to help ensure that your scores get certified.

Prepare for the Duolingo English test with Coursera 

If you have a few weeks or months to prepare, consider taking a course to build your English skills and vocabulary. Here are some options on Coursera to get you started: