Duolingo
Guide
Contents
Overview                                          01
What is the Duolingo English Test?                02
Benefits of the Duolingo English Test              02
Requirements for the Duolingo English Test        03
Steps to Register for the Duolingo English Test   04
Fees for the Duolingo English Test                05
Duolingo English Test Pattern                     06
How is the Duolingo Test Scored?                  07
Universities accepting Duolingo Scores            08
Important Tips                                    11
Frequently Asked Questions                        12
About upGrad Abroad                               13
                                                                                        01
Overview
Duolingo is a computer-based test launched in 2012. The test evaluates the test
taker’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen and is taken by students willing to
study abroad in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. The English
language proficiency test is taken as a part of the admissions requirement and is
accepted by more than 3000 universities worldwide.
                                                                                            02
What is the Duolingo English Test?
Duolingo is an English proficiency exam that evaluates a candidate's language
abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It is simple, easy, and affordable
for students seeking admission abroad.
Benefits of the Duolingo English Test
•   It's an online test, so students can take it whenever they want from the comfort of
    their homes.
•   The test is accepted by more than 3000 universities worldwide and can be used for
    admission to undergraduate programs.
•   Compared to other assessments, like TOFEL or IELTS, the Duolingo exam is afford
    able; you can send the scores to as many universities as you like.
•   Unlike other tests, it is a shorter test with an easier framework.
•   Students can get the test result within 48 hours of submitting it.
                                                                                                           03
Requirements
   for the Duolingo English Test?
Students need not have specific criteria or meet such requirements to take the Duolin-
go test. No standards of age, educational qualification, location, or other factors are
required to be fulfilled before taking the exam. However, there are certain things that
you must take care of before/while taking the test. These include:
•   A room that has enough light and no disturbance
•   A computer system/ Laptop with an internet connection with good speed and
    reliability setup
•   Passport or any other government ID
•   A computer system/ Laptop with a functional front-facing camera, a microphone,
    and speakers
Note: It's important to remember that while you can take the test when you want, but you can only
take them twice in 30 days. Parental approval is also required if the test taker is under the age of 13.
                                                                                       04
Steps to Register
   for the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is conducted online, and through the Duolingo app,
students can get the test immediately after registering online. Given below are the
steps to register for the same:
             Step 1                     Step 2                     Step 3
         Visit the official               Click on              Download the app
       website of Duolingo           'Take the test.’        and install it on your
                                                                   system.
             Step 6                     Step 5                     Step 4
      Upload the necessary         Test your speaker        Make sure you meet all
       documents to verify        and microphone, and       the requirements. Also,
     your information, such         take your picture.       keep your passport or
        as your official ID.                                   government ID handy.
             Step 7                     Step 8                     Step 9
        Keep your ID card         Create your account       Your Duolingo account
      and take a picture for        and enter all the       will be created. Moving
       identification. Make        correct information.         on to the payment
       sure not to hold the                                 process, you must pay
         official ID next to                                    approx 3,605 INR to
        your face or tilt it.                                take the test, which is
                                                              the registration fee.
                                                                                       05
Fees
 for the Duolingo English Test?
The fee of the Duolingo test is affordable compared to other English language assess-
ments or tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. Moreover, the fee for the Duolingo
exam is just $49, exclusive of taxes.
                                                                                            06
Duolingo English Test Pattern
The Duolingo exam is a computer-based test divided into three sections - an introduction,
an adaptive test, and Video Interview. The time limit of the test is 1 hour. The Duolingo
English test pattern follows
    An Introduction             Video Interview              Adaptive Test
     of 5 minutes                of 10 minutes               of 45 minutes
The Duolingo English proficiency test questions aim to test students' listening, speaking,
writing, and reading skills. These questions are creative and require fluency in English.
The following are the sample questions that commonly appear on the Duolingo Exam.
•   Fill in the missing words or letters
•   Write a description of a given image or topic
•   Readout loud the sentence given on the screen
•   Identify the words which are words of Real English
•   Identity the correct pronunciation of the words by hearing
•   Type what you hear
•   Write an answer in about 50 words
•   Respond to an audio question by speaking
                                                                                              07
How is the Duolingo Test Scored?
Duolingo has a 160-point scale, with each set of scores comparable to exams like
IELTS, TOEFL, and CEFR, with detailed technical nuances. The Duolingo scare scale can
be understood below:
       Score                                   Description
                        The test taker can express himself in a familiar context and
      10 – 55           understand basic and straightforward information provided to
                        them. They can comprehend basic English nuances.
                        The test taker can comprehend the main elements of a speech
                        or writing on everyday topics such as school and job. They can,
      60 – 85
                        with some hesitation, explain objectives, opinions, plans, and
                        experiences.
                        The exam taker can speak effectively and absorb information on
                        various topics. They can easily comprehend the main themes of
      90 – 115
                        both concrete and abstract writing and converse with compe-
                        tent speakers.
                        The test taker can comprehend a wide range of difficult written
                        and spoken language and some specialized language situations.
     120 – 160          They can comprehend implicit, metaphorical, pragmatic, and
                        idiomatic language and utilize it effectively and flexibly in social,
                        academic, and professional settings.
Note: Anything above 120 is an excellent Duolingo exam score.
                                                                                            08
Universities accepting Duolingo Scores
There are many universities worldwide that accept Duolingo Exams. Some of them are
given below:
US universities accepting the Duolingo English Test
    Name of the University                      Score
    Yale University                             Minimum score of 120
    Harvard University                          Minimum score of 125
    Cornell University                          Minimum score of 120
    NYU Stern School of Business                Minimum score of 120
    Massachusetts Institute                     Minimum score of 120
    of Technology
    University of California Berkeley           Minimum score of 115
    University of Pennsylvania                  Minimum score of 120
    Johns Hopkins University                    Minimum score of 120
Apart from this, there are other universities in the US, like St. Thomas University (Florida),
Harcum College, Ursinus College, Goshen College, University of the Pacific, Lasell
University, and Seton Hill University, also accept Duolingo Exams.
                                                                                          09
Canadian universities accepting the Duolingo English Test
Here is the list of the top Canadian universities that accept the Duolingo English Test
•   Algoma University
•   Cape Breton University
•   Concordia University
•   University of Calgary
•   University of Alberta
•   Thompson Rivers University
•   University of New Brunswick – Saint John
•   University of Windsor
•   Yorkville University
Germany universities accepting the Duolingo English Test
Here is the list of the top German universities that accept the Duolingo English Test
•   Bard College Berlin
•   Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
•   Brand University of Applied Sciences
•   IU Internationale Hochschule
•   Jacobs University Bremen
•   Schiller International University, Heidelberg Campus
•   University of Applied Sciences Europe Germany
•   Victoria International University of Applied Sciences
•   Accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg
•   Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
•   Hertie School Germany Hochschule Furtwangen University
•   IUBH Fernstudium
•   Technische Universität Berlin
                                                                                    10
Universities in the UK accepting the Duolingo English test
Here is the list of the top UK universities that accept the Duolingo English Test
•   Abertay University
•   Bangor University
•   Brunel University
•   Cranfield University
•   De Montfort University
•   Kingston University
•   Leeds Beckett University
•   Loughborough University
•   Middlesex University
•   Nottingham Trent University
                                                                                      11
Important Tips
There is no particular syllabus or book to score higher marks in the Duolingo exam.
Moreover, the Duolingo exam evaluates the candidate's skills on four different spec-
trums. Below are a few tips to help you prepare for the Duolingo exam:
•   Get into the practice of reading novels containing advanced English. Apart from
    this, read newspapers, and practice writing and learning new words to improve
    your vocabulary.
•   Indulge in some random discussions with people fluent in the English language.
•   Make sure you understand the syllabus, exam pattern, and the types of questions
    asked in the Duolingo exam.
•   Read the understand the resource materials provided in the blog section on the
    Duolingo website.
•   Students can also try mock tests available on the Duolingo website.
                                                                                          12
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: What is the Duolingo English test?
Ans: The Duolingo exam is an English proficiency test that evaluates a candidate’s
language abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for those who want to
study abroad.
Ques: What is a good score on the Duolingo English Test?
Ans: 120 is considered to be an excellent Duolingo score.
Ques: What are some Duolingo test-accepted countries?
Ans. Countries that accept the Duolingo test are:
•   USA
•   Canada
•   UK
•   Australia
•   New Zealand
Ques: How do candidate get their Duolingo English test certificate?
Ans: Candidates get their Duolingo score within 48 hours of taking the test. You can
view the scores on the official website, or the scores are also shared on the candidates'
registered email ID.
                                                                                          13
About upGrad Abroad
upGrad is an online education provider that helps individuals to develop their
professional potential in the most engaging learning environment. upGrad Abroad,
the study abroad division of upGrad, through its collaborations with accredited and
highly-ranked institutions has introduced a portfolio of distinctive study abroad
programs. These innovative programs provide an invaluable opportunity for
international students to leverage initial online learning to pursue their dream to
study abroad in a flexible and affordable manner. Students begin their program
online with a partner institution in the home country, then transition to on-campus
with one of the upGrad destination academic partners.
upGrad students also have the support of our student services team to assist with the
application processing, and visa assistance, as well as support upon arrival to campus.
                  Reimagining Global Education
                           upgradabroad.com
                    Call us to clear your doubts at +918068792928