What is the Duolingo English Test?

In the year 2012, we saw the launch of the Duolingo app that made learning a foreign language effortless. Later on, in 2014, Duolingo came up with its own English language proficiency exam. The motive behind the exam was to offer students an alternative for IELTS and TOEFL exams. Presently, the Duolingo English proficiency exam is accepted by quite a number of universities like Anglia Ruskin, Bristol, Arizona, CalTech, Concordia, and more. Duolingo exam has a duration of only 45 minutes along with a fee of $49 or Rs. 3, 605. Candidates receive their results in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The exam pattern of Duolingo is quite similar to the other exams that comprise reading, listening, writing, and speaking. 

Duolingo English Test - Highlights

• Can be taken anywhere-anytime
• Accepted by over 3,000 academic institutions
• Duolingo test fees are only $49 or Rs. 3,605
• Duration of only 45 minutes
• Provides result within 2 days or 48 hours
• Pass on the results as soon as you receive
• No extra cost required for Duolingo test score sending
• Brief explanatory introduction of 5 minutes
• Adaptive test comprising reading, listening, writing, and speaking
• 10 minutes video interview recording the answers
• Mandatory ID proof include: Passport/Driver’s license/other government-issued ID proof
• Duolingo test score is valid for 2 years
• Any candidate who has a camera, microphone, speaker, and a reliable internet connection can take the test

How to Operate Duolingo App?

The following are the steps to access the Duolingo app and take the test:

Step 1:

The first step after you have successfully decided to take the Duolingo exam is to opt for the ‘Purchase the Test’ option. Then follow the steps that say:

1. Download the Duolingo English Test Desktop app.
2. Install the Duolingo English exam app on your computer 

Step 2:

After the Duolingo app is transferred to the computer memory, access it again. Once opened, the ‘Take the Test’ option will appear. This step will also confirm your possession of the mandatory ID proof - either the passport, or driver’s license or any other government issues ID proof. 

It will also confirm if you are in a well-lit room without anyone present if you have 50 to 60 minutes free to take the exam, a stable internet connection, and also a camera with a front-facing camera, microphone, and speaker. 

Step 3: 

Next, the Duolingo English test app will ask you to test the microphone and speaker for taking the listening and speaking tests. Candidates will also be required to take a picture.

Step 4:

Candidates will be required to select their country and the ID proof selection. 

Step 5:

You will be required to hold your ID up to the camera. Don’t hold it beside your face. Also, don’t tilt the ID. 

Step 6:

Next, you will be asked to provide the information as given on the ID proof. It includes given names, surnames, date of birth, demographic information like first language, gender.

Step 7: 

Here, you need to abide by certain rules and agree to the test security agreement. 

Step 8:

Start your Duolingo online test.

Why take the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo exam is accepted and trusted by many candidates around the world, and the following are the reasons:

• Convenience: The main reason behind liking the Duolingo test is, it offers candidates the flexibility to take the test from anywhere and at any time. With the spread of the pandemic, more candidates are opting for the Duolingo exam so as to take the exam from the safety of their homes.   
• Economical: The Duolingo exam is quite affordable in price as compared to IELTS or TOEFL which costs $200 or above. The Duolingo exam, on the other hand, costs $49. 
• Speedy Result: The Duolingo exam provides almost immediate results within 24 to 48 hours. On the other hand, IELTS or TOEFL exams take around 4 to 5 days for delivering the TOEFL or IELTS scores. 
• Acceptability: More than 2,000 companies accept the Duolingo English test. Moreover, the COVID-19 has made it impossible for candidates to take exams from test centers. 
• Duration: The duration of the Duolingo exam is quite less as compared to the other English proficiency exams. The duration is 45 to 60 minutes, whereas IELTS continues for 2 hours 45 minutes.  

In what ways is Duolingo different from IELTS and TOEFL?

Duolingo is quite different from both IELTS and TOEFL. The syllabus of Duolingo features very basic and precise questions, ones that are not at all related to English test questions. No long texts, or questions to read/write.

While TOEFL presents realistic questions likely to be encountered in real-life situations, that is not the case with Duolingo. The Duolingo sample test shows how there is no synchronization in the syllabus, and all are mixed up. The major contrast is TOEFL not being adaptive whereas Duolingo being. 

In the case of IELTS, it is taken over a two days period. There is a clean line of presentation of four main sections - reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Whereas, from Duolingo English test practice free it can be noticed that the focus is more on testing knowledge about idiom, intonations. IELTS syllabus consists of age-old types like MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, and more. Duolingo IELTS has two sections - Academic and General Training. 

Content of Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test contains numerous types of question format and structures. Out of the 1 hour, the first 5 minutes is for introduction, 45 minutes for reading, speaking, writing, and listening, and the last 10 minutes for the interview. 

• Listen to spoken words, and sentences, and picking the correct ones
• Analyzing the written words, and picking the correct ones
• Putting missing letters on a text
• Illustrate an image in writing or speaking aloud
• Recording yourself stating a written sentence
• Answering a spoken question verbally
• Written responses
• Hearing a statement and typing that out

Duolingo English Test Score

The Duolingo English Test is mostly computer scored. Though there are proctors who ensure fairness during the test. They review the recordings of the students. There are two independent reviewers whose task is to keep an eye on the other faces, noises, background, and other restrictions. 

The Duolingo English Test result is scored on a range of 10 - 160. Note, this is a holistic score that is not broken down by sections. Top universities will require a Duolingo score of 120 and higher.

Once you’re done with the exam, you will firstly receive a mail stating you will receive your scores within 48 hours. The second mail will be about your Duolingo test score. You can also access it from the site itself. 

Universities Accepting Duolingo Scores

The following are the top universities across the world accepting the Duolingo score:

The above table will help in understanding the difference between the Duolingo test score with that of IELTS and TOEFL.