A Guide to the Duolingo English Test Scores: How to Interpret Your Results

The Duolingo English Test is a digital-first language proficiency assessment, acknowledged by over 5000 universities globally for its accuracy and reliability. It evaluates your English skills comprehensively, covering overall scores, subscores, as well as writing and speaking samples. Understanding the Duolingo English Test scores is crucial for prospective students navigating language proficiency assessments. This guide will equip you with the necessary insights to interpret your results effectively and make informed decisions on your academic journey.

How is the DET Scored?

The Duolingo English Test uses a scoring system that ranges from 10 to 160 points.  Each certified test also receives four subscores that measure your proficiency in specific areas, providing a holistic assessment of the candidate’s English proficiency.

The DET employs statistical machine learning algorithms to assess responses independently, focusing on the content provided. The overall score and subscores are weighted combinations of questions that contribute to each score. Notably, the overall score is not an average or sum of individual subscores and the time taken per question has no impact on the score.

DET Score Comparison with Other Tests

Aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), this scale facilitates comparisons with other language proficiency tests like TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. The table below illustrates how the DET scores align with TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic scores.

Duolingo English Test	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
160	120	8.5-9
155	119	8
150	117-118
145	113-116	7.5
140	109-112
135	104-108	7
130	98-103
125	93-97	6.5
120	87-92
115	82-86	6
110	76-81
105	70-75
100	65-69	5.5
95	59-64
90	53-58	5
85	47-52
80	41-46
75	35-40	4.5
70	30-34
65	24-29
60-10	0-23	0-4

A DET score of approximately 120 or higher is generally considered competitive for most leading universities. However, it’s crucial to check the specific admission requirements of your chosen institution, as acceptable scores can vary.

Also Read: Duolingo to IELTS Conversion

Delving into Subscores

Recognizing the increasing popularity of the Duolingo, many universities now express interest in subscores to gain deeper insights into applicants’ abilities. Subscores provide a breakdown of performance in different components such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This granular information aids test-takers in identifying strengths and weaknesses for more targeted language studies.

Accessing Your Score Report and Validity

Upon completion, your scores are promptly delivered via email notification, and a detailed report is accessible through your online account. An advantage of the DET is the ability to share certified scores with multiple institutions at no extra cost. Certified scores remain valid for two years. If you wish to retake the test for any reason, you can purchase another test. However, note that you’re limited to purchasing three tests within any 30-day period.

Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college.