Duolingo to IELTS Conversion 2024: Score Interpretation, Differences, Validity

Duolingo to IELTS Score Conversion: English language proficiency is a mandatory eligibility criterion for students aspiring to study abroad. The Duolingo English Test is one such English proficiency exam gaining popularity in recent times.

In this dynamic world where convenience and ease of access are essential, Duolingo provides students with the opportunity to attempt the test online from the comfort of their homes. Due to the gaining popularity of the DET exam, it gives a strong competition to IELTS. That said, read the entire blog to learn more about Duolingo to IELTS score conversion and interpretation.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

Duolingo English Test: The Duolingo English Test is the newest addition to the list of English Proficiency tests that are accepted by universities and colleges around the world. An increasing number of students are choosing to appear for this test due to Duolingo’s in-depth course material, comparatively economical exam fees and an online mode of examination which can be taken from anywhere unlike other tests. 

What is the IELTS Exam?

IELTS Exam: The International English Language Test is one of the most widely accepted and well-recognized  English Proficiency Tests. IELTS is jointly owned and conducted by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. It has gained popularity among universities worldwide. Many academic institutions in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, UK accept IELTS scores as proof of English Language Proficiency. 

How is the Duolingo Test Scored?

Like the conventional IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, the Duolingo English Test also evaluates candidates on real-world language skills like Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The candidates receive a holistic score on a scale of 10-160. This score is comparable to the conventional study abroad exams through easy Duolingo/TOEFL, Duolingo/CEFR Level, and Duolingo/IELTS conversion.

Top universities usually prefer a DuolingoScore of more than 120, which is equivalent to an IELTS score above 7, according to the DuoLingo IELTS Conversion.  Duolingo Test is adaptive. The difficulty level of questions increases with every correct answer, and the subsequent questions become easier if your answer is wrong. Although the test duration is only around an hour, because of this feature, it can quickly evaluate the test taker’s ability.

Duolingo to IELTS Conversion 2024

The following table contains Duolingo IELTS Conversion scores, analysed from a research study conducted by Duolingo:

Duolingo	Duolingo IELTS Conversion
10	1.5
15	2
20-25	2.5
30-40	3
45-50	3.5
55-60	4
65-70	4.5
75-80	5
85-90	5.5
95-100	6
105-110	6.5
115-120	7
125-130	7.5
135-140	8
145-150	8.5
155-160	9

Duolingo to IELTS: Score Interpretation

Refer to the table below to understand the Duolingo to IELTS score conversion. Have a look.

Duolingo Score 10 – 60 

• Understand basic English words and phrases
• Understand straightforward information and express their thoughts in familiar contexts

Duolingo Score 65-90

• Understand the key points of the speech or writing on routine things like school and work
• Describe opinions, plans, and experiences (with some hesitation)

Duolingo Score 95-120

• Communicate well and grasp unfamiliar topics too
• Understand the key ideas of concrete and abstract writing
• Interact with proficient English speakers fluently

Duolingo Score 125-160

• Understand various challenging written and spoken languages along with some specialized language-use situations
• Understand implicit, figurative, pragmatic, and idiomatic language
• Can use language flexibly for academic, social, and professional purposes

IELTS Band Scores: What Do They Mean?

IELTS Scores: Here we have provided the list of IELTS scores and the meaning of IELTS scores.

IELTS Band Score	Score Description
1	No command of language
2	Can express basic words
3	Express and understand limited concepts
4	Has basic competence and finds it difficult to use complex language
5	Partial command of language
6	Competent user- Candidate has effective command of the language
7	Expert has full operational command of language
8	Fluent except for occasional inaccuracies
9	Score Description

How Can You Take the Duolingo Test? 

One can take the Duolingo English Test anytime, anywhere in the world. The only requirements for candidates to appear for the test are: 

• Candidate’s passport, driver’s license, or government ID
• A quiet, well-lit room
• 60 minutes of free time
• A reliable internet connection
• A computer with a front-facing camera, microphone, and speakers

As the exam can be taken from home, Duolingo has set stringent rules for candidates to appear for the test without any kind of help. Candidates must be alone in the room, and nobody should be speaking to them while the test is ongoing. Aspirants cannot navigate from the browser during the exam.  

Duolingo to IELTS Conversion: Test Duration and Fee

The total duration of the test is 1 hour, which consists of a quick setup (5 minutes), an adaptive test (45 minutes), and a video interview (10 minutes). The video interview is an ungraded section that records the candidate’s answers to open-ended questions. 

The Duolingo English Test is the most affordable English Proficiency certification, with an examination fee of only $50. Test takers can get the results within 48 hours or two days of completing the test and send the score reports to as many universities as they want. When the scores are ready, the candidate will receive an email notification. Candidates can take two certified tests within 30 days, and the scores are valid for two years. 

Duolingo IELTS Conversion – Acceptance

According to Duolingo, thousands of institutions around the world accept the Duolingo English Test. Hundreds of educational institutions in the US, including the top universities like Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and Yale University, have recognised the test as an acceptable proof of English proficiency. As acceptability increases, the Duolingo English Test can pose as a convenient, fast, and affordable language proficiency exam for students worldwide. 

IELTS Vs Duolingo: Differences and Factors to Keep in Mind

While both IELTS and Duolingo English Test (DET) assess English language proficiency, they cater to different needs and have significant differences. Let’s break down the key factors to consider when choosing between them:

Particular	IELTS	DET (Duolingo English Test)
Format	Two formats: Academic and General Training. Four sections: Listening (30 min), Reading (60 min), Writing (60 min), and Speaking (11-14 min). Paper-based or computer-delivered. Formal testing environment at a designated test centre.	Single Format  Adaptive computer-based test assessing all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) integrated throughout the test. Shorter duration (45 min). Can be taken from the comfort of your home.
Scoring	Each section scored on a band scale of 0 to 9.  The Overall score is the average of the four section scores.	Scored on a scale of 10 to 160. Separate scores are not provided for individual skills.
Acceptance	Widely accepted by universities and immigration authorities worldwide (over 11,500 organizations). Preferred choice for most institutions.	Gaining traction, but acceptance is still limited compared to IELTS. Check with your target institutions for DET recognition.
Cost	Generally more expensive than DET (varies by location).	More Cost-Effective
Focus	Designed to assess academic readiness and professional communication skills.	More general assessment of everyday English language proficiency.

IELTS Vs Duolingo: Exam Format in 2024

Duolingo vs  IELTS Exam Format: It is crucial for prospective students intending to pursue their education abroad to thoroughly understand the exam format of the English language proficiency test they intend to take, be it Duolingo or IELTS. Staying informed about the test structure can provide students with valuable insights into the types of questions and intricacies involved. This knowledge can give students a competitive edge and enhance their confidence on the day of the actual exam. 

IELTS Exam Format 

Refer to the following table to go through the exam format of the IELTS exam. 

Section	Academic Test (Task)	General Training (Task)	Time
Listening	4 Recordings	4 Recordings	30 Minutes + 10 Minutes
Reading	3 Long Passages	3 Long Passages	60 Minutes
Writing	Task 1 (Graph, Table, Chart) Task 2 (Essay)	Task 1 (Letter) Task 2 ( Essay )	60 Minutes
Speaking	Three Parts: Discussion, Introduction, Conclusion	Three Parts: Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion	11-14 Minutes

Duolingo Exam Format 

The Duolingo test consists of two sections, namely an Adaptive Section & a Video Interview Section. 

• The exam comprises an Adaptive Section, which features multiple-choice questions that adapt based on the user’s ability level, covering grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. 
• Additionally, there is a Video Interview Section, where candidates must record brief video responses to prompt questions in the target language.

Refer to the table given below to go through the exam format of the Duolingo English Test. 

Section	Description	Time	Scored
Introduction	The test taker completes a system check and receives a brief overview of the exam format.	5 Minutes	No
Adaptive Test	This section assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Questions are chosen based on your performance and difficulty increases as you answer correctly.	45 Minutes	Yes
Writing and Speaking	This section is not scored but provides universities with a glimpse of your speaking and writing fluency.	10 Minutes	No

IELTS vs Duolingo: Proficiency Level

IELTS vs Duolingo Proficiency Level: IELTS and Duolingo are both English proficiency tests, but they serve different purposes and are designed for different audiences. IELTS is more commonly used for academic and immigration purposes, while Duolingo is often used for general language learning and proficiency assessment. Each test has its own unique format and scoring system, catering to the specific needs of its intended users. That being said, refer to the following data to delve deeper into the differences between the two exams based on their proficiency levels. 

IELTS: Score and Proficiency Level

Refer to the table below to go through the IELTS scores and their proficiency levels. 

Proficiency Level	IELTS Score
Expert	9
Very Good	8.5-8.0
Good	7.5-7.0
Competent	6.5-6.0
Modest	5.5-5.0
Limited	4.5-4.0
Extremely Limited	3.5-3.0
Intermittent	2.5-2.0
Non User	1.5-0

IELTS Vs Duolingo: Best Universities and Score Requirement 2024

While both the IELTS and Duolingo English Test are recognized assessments for evaluating language skills, IELTS enjoys wider acceptance by universities worldwide. Some of the popular universities in the world that accept both exams are:

Name of University	Ranking (QS 2024)	DET Score Requirement	IELTS Score Requirement
Harvard University	#4	125	7.5
Stanford University	#5	110	7
University of Oxford	#3	120	7
University of Cambridge	#2	120	7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	#1	120	7
University of California	–	115	6.5
University of Toronto	#21	110	6.5
University of Sydney	#19	110	6.5
University of Edinburgh	#22	110	6.5

For How Long Are IELTS and Duolingo Scores Valid?

For both tests, IELTS and DuoLingo scores are valid for two years. The IELTS is a well-established and globally accepted examination – with a good score, your proficiency can be proved.

However, owing to test centre closures due to the pandemic, the possibility of taking IELTS is uncertain. Duolingo English Test, on the other hand, is ideally suited to current circumstances. Hence, for now, Duolingo remains a great and highly convenient alternative to conventional English tests like IELTS.

Is Duolingo easier than IELTS? 

The IELTS exam assesses the test taker’s ability to read, write, speak and listen to a variety of dialects and accents of the English Language. It includes both productive and receptive components which means test takers must be able to comprehend and produce English. Duolingo consists of short questions that generally pertain to general knowledge of English and Everyday life situations. 

So that was all about Duolingo to IELTS conversion. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.

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