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🦜 Duolingo
Duolingo English Test — AI-adaptive · Home test · Results in 48 hours · Accepted at 5,000+ universities
Test Fee (India)
₹5,400 (~$65)
Duration
~1 hour
Results In
48 hours
Overview & Key Facts
Conducting Body
Duolingo Inc.
Test Format
AI-proctored, taken from home on laptop
Test Fee (India)
$65 USD (approx. ₹5,400) — cheapest major test
Score Range
10–160 (overall) + 4 subscores
Duration
Approximately 1 hour
Results
2 days (48 hours)
Validity
2 Years
Global Recognition
5,000+ universities in 130+ countries
Test Environment
Home laptop with webcam — no test centre needed
Negative Marking
No
Target Score
105–120 (most US/UK universities)
Score Sends
Unlimited FREE score sends to institutions
Exam Pattern & Structure
| Section / Module | Task Types / Content | Duration | Questions | Marks / Weight | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Challenge | Fill in the blank, read aloud, write sentence, speak+describe | 45 min | ~90–100 items | 10–160 | All 4 skills |
| Video Interview | Record a 1–3 min video response to open-ended prompts (unscored subsection — shown to admissions) | 10 min | 2 prompts | Unscored | Speaking |
| Writing Sample | Write 3–5 sentences on a given topic (shown to admissions) | 5 min | 1 prompt | Unscored | Writing |
| Subscores | Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production (all 10–160) | — | — | 10–160 each | L, R, S, W |
Scoring System & Requirements
Score Range
10–160 Overall
Scale / Increments
No fixed increments; AI-computed
Skill Scores
Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production (each 10–160)
| Purpose / University | Typical Requirement | Minimum Score | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top US Universities (MIT, Harvard) | 130–145+ overall | 130+ | High Proficiency |
| Top 25 US Universities | 120–135 typical requirement | 120+ | Advanced |
| UK Universities (PG) | 110–120 typical requirement | 110+ | Upper Intermediate |
| Canadian Universities | 105–120 typical range | 105+ | Upper Intermediate |
| Australian Universities | 100–115 typical range | 100+ | Intermediate+ |
| US Community Colleges | 90–100 typical minimum | 90+ | Intermediate |
| English Language Programs | 65–85 conditional admission | 65+ | Basic |
| US Undergraduate (most) | 105–115 overall | 105+ | Upper Intermediate |
8-Week Preparation Plan
Week 1Baseline set
🔍 Understand Unique Format
- Practice at englishtest.duolingo.com
- Take 1 free official practice test
- Understand adaptive AI format
- Study all question types
- Practice typing speed (accuracy matters)
Week 2+5–10 pts
📝 Fill in the Blank + Read Aloud
- Read Aloud: clear articulation, full sentences
- Fill in the Blank: grammar & vocabulary in context
- Practice 30 each daily
- Focus on not stuttering while reading
Week 3+5–10 pts
✍️ Sentence Writing
- Write responses to images in full grammatical sentences
- Use a variety of sentence structures
- Avoid spelling errors
- Aim for 2–3 natural, varied sentences per image
Week 4+5–10 pts
🎙️ Speaking: Listen & Speak
- Repeat sentences precisely
- Speak about given topic spontaneously
- Record yourself for self-review
- Improve pronunciation and pacing
Week 5+5–10 pts
📖 Reading & Listening Tasks
- Identify real vs. nonsense words quickly
- Listen to sentences and respond accurately
- Improve processing speed for listening tasks
Week 6Admissions quality
🎥 Video Interview Practice
- Practice 2-min monologue responses on various topics
- Dress professionally, good lighting
- Clear background, stable WiFi test
- Speak naturally without scripted memorization
Week 7Near target
🔄 Full Practice Tests
- 2 full official practice tests from Duolingo
- Simulate home environment (laptop, webcam)
- Review subscores for weak areas
Week 8Exam ready!
✅ Technical + Final Prep
- Test laptop + webcam + internet speed
- Clear browser cache
- Quiet room, good lighting
- 1 final practice test
- Rest well before exam
Top Preparation Tips
- 🏠 Test from a well-lit, quiet room — AI monitors your environment
- 📸 No phone, no looking away — AI proctoring is strict
- 🎙️ Read Aloud: speak clearly and naturally, fill entire time
- ⌨️ Typing speed matters — practice typing English accurately
- 🎥 Video Interview is unscored but SEEN by admissions officers
- 🔄 Free unlimited score sends — apply to many universities at no cost
- 💡 Nonsense word section: your job is to identify if a word is real
- 🔤 Subscores matter — many schools check Comprehension & Production
Study Resources
- 🌐 englishtest.duolingo.com (official practice test — free)
- 🎥 Duolingo English Test YouTube channel
- 📱 Duolingo app for vocabulary & grammar (supplementary)
- 🌐 E2 Language DET preparation (YouTube + app)
- 📖 DET Prep Academy online course
- 🌐 Accepted Schools list: englishtest.duolingo.com/universities
- 🎧 BBC Learning English for listening practice
- 📊 DET Community Reddit: r/duolingoEnglishTest
Test Centres (India)
- 🏠 No test centre required — 100% home-based test
- 🌐 Available anywhere with: laptop, webcam, microphone
- 🌐 Stable internet connection required throughout
- 💻 Compatible browsers: Chrome (recommended)
- 🌐 Available 24/7 — test any time, any day
- 🔒 AI proctoring records your session for review
- 🌐 Technical check: run system check at duolingo website
- 🌐 Register at: englishtest.duolingo.com
Results & Validity
- ⏱️ Results in approximately 48 hours
- 📤 Unlimited free score reports to institutions
- 📋 Scores include overall + 4 subscores
- 🎥 Video interview & writing sample sent to institutions
- 📊 Detailed performance breakdown in score report
- 🔒 Institutions access scores via secure portal
- 🗓️ Scores valid for 2 years
- 🔁 Retake after 21 days; max 3 times per year
ℹ️ All fees, scores, and information are approximate for 2024–25. Verify current requirements at the official exam website before applying.