Studying abroad is an increasingly popular choice for students who want to broaden their horizons, gain valuable life experience, and improve their language skills. Many universities and educational institutions around the world require international students to demonstrate their proficiency in the language of instruction, usually English. For a good while now, the most commonly accepted language tests have been the TOEFL and IELTS, which can be expensive and time-consuming. However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of the Duolingo English Test (DET). The DET is a quick, easy, and affordable way for students to prove their English language proficiency, making it an attractive option for students looking to study abroad. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of the DET which have led it to become an increasingly popular choice for students preparing to study overseas and the universities that accept the examination in their application process..
About and Advantages
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a comprehensive online exam that thoroughly assesses a student’s proficiency in the English language. The test is divided into four main sections, each dedicated to evaluating a specific language skill. The reading section assesses the student’s ability to understand written English, and the writing section evaluates their ability to write in English accurately and coherently. The listening section measures the student’s ability to comprehend spoken English, while the speaking section evaluates their ability to communicate effectively in spoken English.
The DET features interactive questions and exercises that are designed to simulate real-life situations, making the test more practical and relevant to a student’s language learning journey. One notable feature of the DET is its online format, which makes it accessible to students all over the world. This online format eliminates the need for students to travel to a testing center, and they can take the test from the comfort of their own homes. The test can also be taken at any time and from anywhere, making it a convenient and flexible option for students with busy schedules or those living in remote areas.
Here are a few benefits of the DET that make it a popular choice among students-
Affordability
- The DET costs only $49, while traditional language proficiency tests can cost up to $300.
- This makes the DET a more accessible option for students who may be on a tight budget.
Accessibility
- The DET is an entirely online test that can be taken from anywhere in the world.
- This eliminates the need for students to travel to a testing center, making it more convenient and accessible, especially for those living in remote areas.
Faster Turnaround Time
- The DET provides faster turnaround times for test results compared to traditional tests.
- Students can receive their test results within 48 hours, while traditional tests can take up to two weeks for results to be available.
- This faster turnaround time allows students to meet application deadlines more efficiently.
Accurate Measurement of Language Skills
- The DET is designed to accurately measure a student’s English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking through a series of interactive questions and exercises.
- The test is adaptive, meaning that questions become more difficult as students answer correctly, allowing the test to accurately determine the student’s level of proficiency.
Widely Accepted
- The DET is recognized by hundreds of universities worldwide, making it a widely accepted alternative to traditional language proficiency tests.
- This means that students can confidently take the DET and know that their results will be accepted by the institutions they are applying to.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) allows test-takers to retake the test multiple times until they achieve their desired score. However, it is important to note that the test can only be taken a maximum of two times within a 30-day period. This policy gives test-takers the flexibility to improve their scores and achieve their desired proficiency level.
Score comparison with other examinations
Duolingo Scores | IELTS Scores |
| Duolingo Scores | TOEFL Scores |
10 | 1.5 |
| 10-25 | 0 |
15 | 2 |
| 30 | 1 |
20-25 | 2.5 |
| 35 | 2-4 |
30-40 | 3 |
| 40 | 5-8 |
45-50 | 3.5 |
| 45 | 9-13 |
55-60 | 4 |
| 50 | 14-19 |
65-70 | 4.5 |
| 55 | 20-25 |
75-80 | 5 |
| 60 | 26-31 |
85-90 | 5.5 |
| 65 | 32-37 |
95-100 | 6 |
| 70 | 38-43 |
105-110 | 6.5 |
| 75 | 44-49 |
115-120 | 7 |
| 80 | 50-55 |
125-130 | 7.5 |
| 85 | 56-61 |
135-140 | 8 |
| 90 | 62-67 |
145-150 | 8.5 |
| 95 | 68-73 |
155-160 | 9 |
| 100 | 74-79 |
– | – |
| 105 | 80-85 |
– | – |
| 110 | 86-91 |
– | – |
| 115 | 92-96 |
– | – |
| 120 | 97-102 |
– | – |
| 125 | 103-107 |
– | – |
| 130 | 108-112 |
– | – |
| 135 | 113-115 |
– | – |
| 140 | 116-118 |
– | – |
| 145 | 119 |
– | – |
| 150-160 | 120 |
Universities that Accept DET
While the list of universities that accept the DET is constantly growing, here are a few top universities across the globe that accept the test. This would give you an idea of the popularity of the examination and the places you can target with a DET score. Keep in mind that to target these, there may be additional requirements of a certain minimum overall score as well.
- NYU Stern School of Business
- Cornell University
- Stanford Univeresity
- University of California Berkeley
- University of Pennsylvania
- Arizona State University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Yale University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Concordia University
- University of Alberta
- University of Windsor
- University of Regina
- University of Glasgow
- University of Birmingham
- Australian National University
- Monash College
…among others
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