Duolingo English Test: Which Universities Accept It and How to Take It
A fast, accessible online English test: where it is accepted, where it is not, how the at-home session works and what score to aim for.
By Worldwide Studies team, Worldwide Studies teamPublished 4 min read
Taking an English test from home, in about an hour, with results in a few days and at a price generally lower than traditional tests: the Duolingo English Test (DET) has won over many Tunisian students. But it is not accepted everywhere, and choosing this test without checking can force you to sit an IELTS in a rush. Here is which universities accept it, how it works and how to prepare.
Worldwide Studies is Duolingo English Test certified: we advise you on the programmes that accept it and on the score to aim for.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
It is an online, adaptive English test: the difficulty of the questions adjusts to your answers. It assesses reading, listening, writing and speaking, and produces:
an overall score on a scale from 10 to 160;
subscores for the main skill areas (comprehension, literacy, conversation, production);
an ungraded video interview and writing sample, sent to universities along with the results.
Which universities accept it?
Thousands of programmes worldwide accept the DET, in particular:
United States: a great many universities and community colleges, including well-known institutions;
Canada: many universities and colleges, for admission;
United Kingdom and Ireland: a growing number of universities, for direct admission;
Continental Europe: some universities in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy or Spain for their English-taught programmes;
Asia and Oceania: acceptance varies more.
The list changes every year. Always check the language requirements page of the exact programme (not just the university).
Limits to be aware of
Visas: the DET is not recognised for some visas that require a test approved by the authorities (this is the case, for example, for several British and Australian visas). The university may accept it for admission while immigration requires a different test.
Selective programmes: medicine, law and some master's degrees often require IELTS or TOEFL.
Scholarships: some scholarship programmes require a specific test.
If your list mixes very different countries and programmes, IELTS often remains the safest choice. See IELTS or TOEFL: which one to choose?
How does the test work?
Before the test
A computer (no tablet or phone) with a working webcam, microphone and speakers.
A stable internet connection.
A quiet, well-lit room where you will be alone.
A valid ID document (passport recommended).
During the test
Technical checks and showing your ID to the camera.
Proctoring rules: eyes on the screen, no headphones, no paper, no one else in the room.
A series of short, varied questions: completing words, listening and transcribing, reading aloud, describing a picture, writing a short text, answering a question orally.
The video interview and the writing sample at the end.
The full session lasts about an hour. It is recorded and then reviewed by proctors; a session can be invalidated if the rules are not followed.
After the test
Results usually arrive within a few days. You can then send them free of charge to the institutions of your choice. They are generally valid for two years.
What score should you aim for?
Universities set their own thresholds. Common benchmarks:
95 to 105: foundation, community colleges, some bachelor's programmes;
105 to 120: most bachelor's and master's degrees;
120 and above: selective programmes.
Some universities also require a minimum per subscore.
How to prepare
Take the free official practice test to discover the format and estimate your score.
Practise speed: the questions are short and timed.
Work on vocabulary and spelling: several exercises involve recognising real words or completing words.
Speak aloud every day: describe pictures, talk about your day in English.
Prepare your environment: a test invalidated for a technical reason costs time and money.
Mistakes that invalidate a session
Looking away from the screen repeatedly.
Wearing headphones or earphones (not allowed).
Someone else entering the room or a voice in the background.
A connection that drops during the test.
A non-compliant or expired ID document.
A shared computer with software that pops up notifications.
Do a technical check the day before, close all unnecessary programs, turn off notifications and tell your family that you must not be disturbed for an hour.
The Duolingo English Test for a multi-country project
If you are applying in several countries, build a table with, for each programme:
| Programme | Duolingo accepted? | Minimum score | IELTS / TOEFL required for the visa? |
|---|
If even one row of your table requires IELTS or TOEFL, it is often simpler to take that test directly for all your applications. If all your programmes accept the DET, it can save you time and money.
How many times can you take it?
The DET can be taken several times, within the limit set by the organiser over a given period. You then choose which results to send. This is an advantage if you are close to the required score: a second attempt a few weeks later may be enough.
Our support
We check for you whether the DET is accepted by each of your programmes and for your visa, then help you build your applications in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
👉 Talk to an advisor to find out whether the Duolingo English Test is enough for your project.