Explore Courses

Duolingo Exam: Syllabus, Eligibility & Requirements

Updated on 08 January, 2024

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

duolingo exam

What is Duolingo Exam? 

The computer-based English test determines the language proficiency of the candidates planning to migrate to any English-speaking country. Duolingo also tests students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities like any other English language exam. You can take the test online anytime from any corner of the world. 

The Duolingo exam is computer-adaptive. This is due to the fact that with every correct answer the difficulty level keeps rising. If your answer is wrong, the next question will be relatively easier. You can also choose the upgraded test version, where you can opt for the ten-minute interview and record your answers for all the open-ended questions.

Here are some essential facts about the Duolingo English Test: 

1.The exam is accepted by more than 1,000 universities globally.  Here is the list

2.The exam is for candidates enrolling in undergraduate programs in the USA.

Know More about Duolingo English Test Eligibility

  1. The fee is highly affordable.
  2. Duolingo test duration is around 60 minutes (including the 10-minute interview), which is less than other exams. 
  3. You can take mock tests to prepare for the test.

What is Importance of Duolingo Exam

The Duolingo exam is designed for international students preparing to move to other countries. Compared to other language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc., the Duolingo English Test is affordable and takes less time. The exam assesses the candidate's ability in four sections, including writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The test is designed on-demand to enroll at various universities. The test is designed using AI and Data Forensics Technology, making the test transparent and secure for every candidate. 

Eligibility for Duolingo Exam

The test does not require any academic documents or transcripts. Anyone who wishes to appear for the test can do so without hassle. Before appearing for the test, please check the language proficiency requirement stated by the university you are applying to. There is no age restriction. However, candidates younger than 13 need to get their parents' consent to apply for the test.

Download these guides to read Offline

Duolingo Syllabus
Duolingo test pattern

How to Register for Duolingo Exam

You can register for the Duolingo test from anywhere globally as the test is conducted online and through the Duolingo app. You can appear for the test immediately after registration. Here are the steps you'll have to follow to register for the test-:  

1.Visit the official website of Duolingo.

2.Click 'Take the test.'

3.Download the app and install it on your system. 

4.Meet all the requirements, such as sitting in a well-lit room with your front camera on. Keep your government ID or passport handy.

5.Test your speaker, and microphone, and take your picture. After downloading the application, you will have to meet all these requirements.

6.Upload the required documents, such as your official ID, to verify your mentioned information.

7.Hold your ID card and take a picture for identification. Please do not hold the ID next to your face or tilt it. 

8.Create your account and enter all the correct information. 

9.Select what you are interested in. Here are the options- 

  • UG University Admissions
  • School building
  • Graduate admissions 
  • Middle or high school admission
  • Applying for a promotion or job
  • None of the above

10.Upon selecting options from above, you can now create your Duolingo account.

11.Complete the payment process. For the test, you will have to pay $49.

Upon completing the payment and process mentioned above, you can give the test.

How Much is Duolingo Exam Fee 

The fee is highly affordable compared to other English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and more. The price for the Duolingo exam is $49 plus the taxes (if applicable), whereas the other tests cost around $200 and more. There are zero test waivers for the exam. 

To pay the exam fee, click the ‘purchase the test' tab and go ahead with the buy now option. All credit cards, as well as PayPal, are accepted. Upon successfully submitting the fees, you will have to take the test within 90 days, or the duration will expire. 

Essential Dates for Duolingo Exam

There are no fixed dates for the Duolingo english test. You need to open the website, purchase the test, and give the exam. Enter all the information required on the website and log in with your initials. You can take the test from anywhere if you meet all the requirements.

Duolingo Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The online test helps aspirants to check their knowledge of the English language. Here's a brief about the exam and the Duolingo exam syllabus-:

TestDuolingo English Exam
Mode of examOnline
Sections in exam2
Exam Duration1 hour
Question typesDescriptive and objective

English Adaptive Test: 

The 45-minute-long graded section of the English assessment exam evaluates the candidates' reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities. All the different questions are combined and keep appearing randomly during the test in the section. The scores are provided separately for this section. None of the questions are repeated in the test. There is no limited number of questions in this section. The test will end when the grading engine is persuaded by your score. 

 Here are the different types of questions you will come across- 

● Answer the missing letters and complete the sentences. 

● Record yourself while repeating any given sentence. 

● Describe the given image in writing.

● Hear the words and identify the correct one. 

● Read the words and identify the real English ones.

● Type the sentence that you hear. 

● Write down your answer in at least 50 words.

● Speak your answer to a spoken question. 

Duolingo Video Interview Test: 

The video interview test is the second segment of the exam, with a time limit of 10 minutes. The section requires candidates to answer open-ended questions via recording. You may be asked to speak about any situation, image, or topic. 

Remember these points while answering the video questions- 

● Ensure that your face is in the frame.

● You must be audible, loud, and straightforward.

● Plan your answers accordingly, and do not jumble the answers. 

Benefits of Duolingo English Test

Here are the benefits of the Duolingo English Test

  • You can take the test from your home at your convenience, however, maximum universities now prefer center-based test scores
  • You can take mock tests for practice 
  • The fee is affordable in comparison to other language proficiency test
  • You can get results within 48 hours
  • Various universities accept the test scores as an alternative for IELTS/TOEFL

How is Duolingo Test Scored

The score is calculated on the 10 to 160 scale. The entire score is bifurcated in the overall and four sub-scores. Here's how-

120-160

Learners are apt in writing and speaking the language.

Learners can understand the pragmatic, figurative and idiomatic phrases.

90-115

The learner can communicate about new topics which are unknown to him/her.

Learners can clearly understand and interact on both abstract and concrete topics.

60-85

Learners can grasp the valuable and main aspects and points related to work or their educational content.

Learners can easily communicate personal details without any hassle.

10-55

Learners can identify all of the basic English and phrases.

Learners can articulate the straight given information.

How to Get the Result of Duolingo Exam

You can receive your Duolingo English test score within 24 to 48 hours of giving the test. The exam score usually provides information about the applicant, the overall performance, and sub score. The candidates can access the score through the application. 

You can send the test score to the selected university or college as a test-taker. Here's how you can check your scores-: 

● Log in to the Duolingo website with credentials.

● Enter your registration information. Ensure the details are correct.

● View your scorecard.

● You can download or print the report if required. 

Duolingo English Test vs IELTS Exam vs TOEFL

Duolingo English test, IELTS exam, and TOEFL analyzes English language proficiency. If you are a student migrating to a different country to pursue higher education, you will have to take one of these tests to be eligible for admission to English-speaking countries. Here’s the difference between the three tests

IELTS test- Managed by IDP, the IELTS score is accepted by over 10,000 academic institutions worldwide. There are two different types of IELTS- Academic IELTS and General IELTS. You can also choose from paper-based tests and computer-based tests. The test will analyze your communication skills on the basis of listening, speaking, reading, and writing for 2 hours and 45 minutes. 

TOEFL- TOEFL is administered and designed by the Educational Testing Service and over 11,000 universities in 140+ countries. The TOEFL is conducted in two ways- internet-based and paper-based. TOEFL iBT is 3 hours long, whereas the PBT is 2 hours and 30 minutes long. The test will analyze your speaking, listening, writing, and reading abilities. 

Duolingo- Duolingo is one of the most famous language-learning platforms and over 3000 academic institutions around the globe. The test has three parts: set-up, adaptive, and virtual interviews. 

Important Tips Related to Duolingo Exam

There is no fixed syllabus or book to score higher bands in the Duolingo exam. Though the exam assesses the candidate's skills on four different spectrums, you can practice with other materials. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the Duolingo exam: 

● Read novels containing advanced English. Read newspapers, and practice writing and learning new words to enhance your vocabulary.

● Indulge in random conversations with people fluent in the English language. 

● Get a clear understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and the types of questions asked in the exam. 

● You can try mock tests available on the Duolingo website.

● Read the blog section on the Duolingo website and understand the resource materials provided.

*"Disclaimer! All course fees/salaries/expenses are indicative."

Important Study Abroad Articles

Pursue MBA in USA

Learn all about MBA programs in the USA

MBA in USA

Scholarships for Students

Learn about types of scholarships, how to get a scholarship, their sources & a lot more.

Scholarships for Students

PNP Program Canada

Learn all about eligibility, documents, application process, cost & more.

Provincial Nominee Program Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prepare for the Duolingo English test?

Duolingo Test analyzes the English language proficiency of the candidates planning to study abroad. You can prepare for the test by conducting informal research on YouTube or various educational websites. Apart from that, you can visit the test readiness page on the Duolingo website, where you can sign up for the free practice test, check the question type, and download the official guide for further help.

What is a good Duolingo English test score?

The Duolingo test scores are reported on a scale of 10 to 160. A 10 to 55 scorecard means that you have a basic understanding of language, whereas 60 to 85 falls in the intermediate category, which means you can describe your ambitions, experiences, and plans. 90 to 115 falls in the upper intermediate category, meaning you can easily fulfill most goals, interact with others, and communicate with proficient speakers. However, 120 to 160 is the advanced score indicating you are skilled in the English language and able to grasp the pragmatic, idiomatic, and use English flexibility. Various universities have set their requirements, though scores above 120 can open doors to various higher educational institutions.

Duolingo score is valid for which countries?

Various prestigious universities around the globe back the Duolingo test. Countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, China, Ireland, Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, and more accept the Duolingo score.

How to score 140 on the Duolingo English test?

To score at an advanced level in the Duolingo English Test, you will have to learn new vocabulary, enhance your listening skills, understand sentence structures, focus on accent and pronunciation. Practice on sample tests, and you will be able to score well.

How to book a Duolingo exam?

Visit the official website of the Duolingo exam and create your account by adding your email id, age, and password. Step 2 is to select ‘what are you interested in?’ You will have to choose from a list of options, and once you choose an option, you are ready to create your account. Once you create your account, you will be redirected to the registration page, where you can either try the test, purchase or take the test.

How do I send my Duolingo exam results to institutions?

Login to your Duolingo test account, and then click on the ‘send result’ tab. Enter the university’s name and click on various choices given on-screen. You can select up to 40 universities and send your score. You can enter your application id if any university demands it. Click the send button, and your scores will be sent to institutions.

How many times can I take the Duolingo English test?

Even though there is no limit to how many times you can take the test, you can only appear for it twice in 30 days.

How do I get my Duolingo English test certificate?

The Duolingo test score is released in the certificate form, and you can access it through your test account. You can download the certificate as well.

Is Duolingo test easier than IELTS?

Being more comprehensive, IELTS is certainly tougher than Duolingo. On the other hand, since Duolingo test can be taken any time at home, it is more convenient. 

What is Duolingo exam fee?

The fee is highly affordable compared to other English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and more. Duolingo exam fee iis $49 plus the taxes (if applicable), whereas the other tests cost around $200 and more. 

Study Master Programs in USA

masters in data analytics and visualization

MS in Data Analytics and Visualization in USA

Dual certification - IIITB as well as Yeshiva University. End-to-end support for applications and visa.

Learn More
masters in data analytics in usa

MS in Data Analytics in USA

Dual certification - IIITB as well as Clark University. World Class Faculty Members & Industry Experts.

Learn More
masters in information technology in usa

MS in Information Technology in USA

GRE Waiver for IIITB learners. In-built IELTS prep to be provided by upGrad.

Learn More

Important IELTS Exam Resources

IELTS Exam Overview

IELTS is required to be taken by international students and workers who wish to study or work in a country where English is the primary language of communication. Know the complete details.

IELTS Online Test

IELTS Exam Syllabus

With the right knowledge of the IELTS exam syllabus and pattern, cracking the popular English test won’t be difficult.

IELTS Syllabus

IELTS Exam Pattern

The IELTS exam pattern encompasses four major sections, i.e. listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

IELTS Exam Pattern

Important Resources For GRE/GMAT Exams

GRE Exam Registration

raduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the biggest and most popular global tests held by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is a standardized examination for entry into courses like MBA, MS, and others at universities worldwide.

GRE Registration

GRE Exam Dates for 2023

Booking GRE exam dates 2023 is a simple procedure. You can register by paying US$213 (approx. INR 15,700) and providing your valid passport copy or relevant ID.

GRE Exam Dates

GRE Exam Fees

The GRE exam fee in India is around $213 with effect from 1st July 2023. The examination fee in many other countries is $205 while the GRE exam fee for India is the same as countries like Turkey, Australia, China, and Nigeria. The fee for the GRE Subject

GRE Exam Fee

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

See More

TRENDING SEARCHES

Editor's Pick

Australia

Canada

UK

USA

Exam

Other Countries

Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.