Duolingo
Duolingo English Test
What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is an affordable, online language proficiency exam accepted by thousands of universities and institutions worldwide. It evaluates a candidate’s skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening similar to tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.
The test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level adjusts in real time based on your answers. It takes about one hour to complete and includes a mix of short questions and extended tasks, such as speaking and writing prompts.
You don’t need to schedule an appointment, the test can be taken anytime, from home, using a personal computer. It also includes a 10-minute video interview, where you respond to open-ended questions to give institutions a better sense of your spoken English skills.
Duolingo English Test Pattern
The Duolingo English Test is taken online from the comfort of your own home, no test center or appointment needed. It’s accepted by over 5,500 universities and institutions worldwide.
The test lasts approximately 60 minutes and is divided into two main sections:
45-Minute Adaptive Test
- This section includes a mix of reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks. The difficulty level changes based on your responses—correct answers lead to more challenging questions.
10-Minute Video Interview & Writing Sample
- In this part, you'll respond to open-ended prompts to demonstrate your speaking and writing skills in a natural way. This ungraded section is shared directly with institutions.
The test doesn't have a fixed number of questions. Instead, it uses adaptive AI to determine your language ability and ends once your score can be accurately calculated.
Duolingo English Test Fee in Pakistan
The Duolingo English Test cost is 59 USD (about PKR 17,000-19,000, subject to exchange rate variations). This makes it a cost-effective solution for students and professionals both.
Duolingo English Test Validity
The Duolingo test result is valid for 2 years, just like IELTS and TOEFL.
Duolingo English Test Scores
| Duolingo Score | IELTS Equivalent | Proficiency Level |
|---|---|---|
| 155 - 160 | 8.5 - 9.0 | Expert |
| 135 - 150 | 7.5 - 8.0 | Very Good |
| 115 - 130 | 6.5 - 7.0 | Good |
| 95 - 110 | 5.5 - 6.0 | Competent |
| 75 - 90 | 4.5 - 5.0 | Modest |
University’s requirement:
- 95-105 for undergraduate admission
- 115-125 for postgraduate admission
Duolingo English Test vs IELTS
| Aspect | Duolingo English Test | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Duolingo English Test | International English Language Testing System |
| Purpose | English language proficiency test for study, work, and immigration | Same – used globally for education, migration, and employment |
| Controlled By | Duolingo Inc. | British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment |
| Number of Attempts Allowed | Unlimited; can retake after 2 days | Unlimited; can retake after 3 days |
| Difficulty Level | Computer-based and shorter in duration | More varied question types, shorter listening & reading sections |
Duolingo English Test Preparation Tips
Practice with the free practice questions and mock exams on Duolingo.
Concentrate on improving your grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
Use English-language movies and podcasts to improve your listening abilities.
Get comfortable speaking into a microphone.
To prepare for actual examination, take practice exams in a timed, calm setting.
Benefits of Duolingo English Test
- You can take the test anytime that suits you, no need to travel to a test center.
- Only a computer with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection is required.
- Duolingo English Test is much cheaper than IELTS or TOEFL.
- The test takes only 45–60 minutes, compared to 2.5–3 hours for IELTS/TOEFL.
- Accepted by over 4,000 universities and institutions, including top universities like Yale, Columbia, and Imperial College London.
Need Help Preparing for the Duolingo Test?
Whether you're applying for a visa, university admission, or an international job, Times Consultant offers practical support and guidance for English tests like Duolingo, IELTS, and PTE. Get in touch to start your preparation with confidence.