Universities Accepting Duolingo to Study Abroad after 12th Grade
You may know Duolingo from the viral green owl popping up in your notifications to remind you about your day’s classes. But did you know that Duolingo can help you get into university? In the aftermath of the global pandemic, the Duolingo English Test took off as an alternative to physically sitting proficiency tests at a center. As a result, the number of universities accepting Duolingo scores for applicants to study abroad after 12th grade exploded.
The Duolingo English Test site lists over 5,000 universities that accept their scores. So, let’s unpack the Duolingo English Test – its components, convenience, and whether it is the right English test option for prospective undergraduate students.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is an online evaluation of your skill in the English language. For students planning to study abroad in major English-speaking destinations, this is a key requirement. Universities and immigration authorities alike want to know whether you can navigate the classroom and everyday life in English.
As the test is fully online, without the need to go to a test center, and accessible 24/7, it quickly became a popular alternative for universities taking applications during Covid-19 lockdown. Another aspect of the test that makes it popular among students hoping to study abroad after 12th grade is time. It is just 1 hour long, with results available in 2 days.
Affordability is another of the Duolingo English Test’s key selling points. It is comparatively more affordable to other alternative tests like the IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. There is also no cap on the number of universities you can send your test scores to, for free.
Components of the Duolingo English Test
Like IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic, DET evaluates the candidate’s skill in four language areas:
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Listening
The test uses computer-adaptive technology. The questions get harder with each right answer and easier with each wrong one. Questions test your ability to apply the English language in both classroom and general settings. For example, you may be filling up missing information in a reading passage or simulating a discussion with your professor about your grades.
The test may ask you to describe a picture in writing, summarize an exercise you completed, repeat the text on the screen out loud, speak and write briefly about a prompt, etc. The DET website has a helpful demo video to help you get a feel for the test and its question types.
Duolingo Score Breakdown
The Duolingo English Test scores fall between a range of 10 and 160. These group into four key English proficiency levels: Basic, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, and Advanced. The overall scores reflect the average of the sub scores, which also fall between the same score range. The following are the four key sub scores Duolingo evaluates:
• Literacy: evaluating your combined skills in Reading and Writing
• Production: evaluating your combined skills in Writing and Speaking
• Comprehension: evaluating your combined skills in Reading and Listening
• Conversation: evaluating your combined skills in Listening and Speaking
The DET scores easily translate into the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)’s breakdown of English proficiency levels. They also translate easily to equivalent scores under the IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic score systems.
| Description | Score Range | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 - 55 | 0 - 4 |
| Intermediate | 60 - 85 | 4 – 5 |
| Upper-Intermediate | 90 - 115 | 5 – 6 |
| Advanced | 125 - 160 | 6.5 – 8.5 |
Pros of the Duolingo English Test (DET)
So, now that you understand what the Duolingo English Test is and how it works, is it the right option for someone planning to study abroad after 12th grade?
We already ran through some of the pros of the DET. It’s fully online and accessible 24/7 from anywhere with an internet-enabled computer, a camera, and microphone. It is also more affordable in comparison to alternative English proficiency tests. You can send these to as many universities as you like to study abroad after 12th grade, without any extra fees.
But what about any potential downsides when looking into the DET as your English proficiency test of choice?
Cons of the Duolingo English Test (DET)
The Universities that Accept the Test
Many universities, including global top universities in destinations like the UK and Australia, started accepting DET scores following the 2020 lockdown.
Now that global mobility is no longer impacted by lockdown, several universities are either:
• No longer accepting DET scores
• Accepting DET scores for specific intakes, and will no longer accept these beyond these intakes
If your chosen university does not accept the DET, don’t worry. There are several other potential alternatives that can help you check off your chosen program’s language requirements. These include the following universally-recognized English tests:
• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic
Your university may also accept your existing qualifications as proof of language ability if the Medium of Instruction (MOI) of your current or most recent education is/was English.
Study Levels at Which Universities Accept the DET
In some cases, the university you are considering to study abroad after 12th grade may accept DET scores, but only for certain study levels. Some colleges, which offer foundation or pathway programs to university programs (for example, Monash College, under Monash University), may accept DET scores. However, for programs at the undergraduate level and above, universities may prefer to accept tests like the IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT instead.
DET and Visa Applications
Student visa applications often require you to prove your English language proficiency as well. Both universities and visa officers use English proficiency as one of the indicators of your success as an international student.
Some countries accept only specific English language test scores as proof of language skill for visa applications. Have a look at some top English-speaking destinations and which tests they accept for student visas:
| Destination | Accepted English Language Tests |
|---|---|
| Australia | IELTS, PTE, CAE, OET, TOEFL iBT |
| Canada | CELPIP, IELTS, PTE Core |
| UK | SELT from: LanguageCert, Pearson, PSI Services UK Ltd, or IELTS SELT Consortium |
| USA | Satisfy your university’s requirements for English proficiency |
Universities that Accept Duolingo in Australia
You can apply to study in Australia if your university or program accepts DET scores. Remember, some universities are only accepting scores for specific intakes and may prefer alternative test scores beyond these. Others are only accepting DET scores for specific study levels and programs. Look into the eligibility requirements carefully before deciding whether the DET is the right test for you!
| University Name | Minimum Score Range |
|---|---|
| Monash College (Monash University) | 95 – 105 |
| Swinburne University of Technology | 95 – 115* |
| Flinders University | 95 – 120* |
| Edith Cowan College (Edith Cowan University) | Minimum score of 95* |
| Deakin College (Deakin University) | Minimum score 75 – 85* |
*Valid for specific intake sessions and/or applicants from specific geographic regions
Universities Accepting Duolingo in Canada
Below are some of the universities that accept DET scores for international student applications. Some of the country’s best universities, including the University of Toronto, are accepting DET test scores!
| University Name | Minimum Score Range |
|---|---|
| Acadia University | A minimum score of 115, with no band score below 90 |
| Crandall University | A minimum score of 115, with no band score below 95 |
| University of Northern British Columbia | A minimum score of 105 |
| University Canada West | 110 - 115 |
| University of Toronto | A minimum score of 120, with no band score below 100 |
Universities Accepting Duolingo in the UK
Some UK universities also accept DET scores as proof of English proficiency. Always read the fine print under the English language requirements section of your chosen program or university. As you can see below, while the University of Westminster accepts DET scores, these are only for specific short-term programs and exchange programs.
| University Name | Minimum Score Range |
|---|---|
| University of Portsmouth | Equivalent scores to the IELTS 5.5 – 7.0 score range |
| Bangor University | 65 – 85 (Pre-Sessional Course only) |
| University of Westminster | 115 – 125 (Only applicable for students in summer school and exchange programs) |
| University of Southampton | Varies from program to program |
| Royal Holloway, University of London | 120 - 130 |
Universities Accepting Duolingo in the USA
Many universities in the USA accept the Duolingo test for the enrollment of foreign students. You can apply to study abroad after 12th grade in the USA with a DET score at these universities:
| University Name | Minimum Score Range |
|---|---|
| University of Arizona | 100 – 105 |
| Herzing University | A minimum score of 95 (undergraduate program) |
| Xavier University | A minimum score of 110 (undergraduate program) |
| Elmira College | 100-120 (undergraduate program) |
| Bay Atlantic University | 75 - 90 |
How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test (DET)
Practice tests
You can get more comfortable with the format, time constraints, and question types of the test by taking practice exams. To have an idea of how you would score in the real thing, you can also take Duolingo’s brief practice test for free.
Prepare your testing environment
Make sure you are in a quiet, well-lit space and your devices – computer, webcam, speakers, and microphone – are all working properly. Be sure your internet connection is stable. You will also need to show proof of identity during the test, so bring your passport, national ID card, or driver’s license with you.
Understand the rules
The guidelines prohibit using your phone or other gadgets, talking on the phone, looking away from the screen, and using earbuds.
You can also prepare for the test by:
• Learning and using new vocabulary
• Practicing improving your listening abilities
• Observing and interpreting grammatical structures
• Practicing the intonation of your sentences
• Assessing your pronunciation of vocabulary
Rounding Up
The DET can definitely make your applications to study abroad after 12th grade easier. It is accessible, affordable, and quick. On the other hand, your chosen universities and programs may prefer alternative test scores, like the IELTS or TOEFL, as a better reflection of your English readiness in an academic setting. Some universities do not accept DET at all, or only do so for limited intakes and/or specific study levels. Be sure to look into the English language requirements of your chosen universities before you commit to a test.