The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a one-hour internet-based test. The test is recognised by some Swiss institutions as a test of English for academic studies. IELTS is still by far the most popular and the preferred test of academic English.
DET is an adaptive test which uses an algorithm to adapt the difficulty of the test to the test taker.
The test uses a score on a scale of 10-160. Most universities ask for a level of 120 (high B2) or 130 (low C1).
The test costs less than the IELTS or TOEFL. It can be taken online at any time. Results are usually available within 48 hours.
However, our senior trainers at The Language House believe IELTS is a well- structured and thorough exam which better prepares students for academic studies.
There is a security protocol associated with DET. Students must film themselves while doing the test and follow strict rules. The introduction of filming yourself with a mobile phone during the test makes it less likely to be rejected, but you must still follow the rules carefully when taking the test.
Our exam director Sue Knowles has replied below to some of the most asked questions about Duolingo.
Is the Duolingo test difficult ?
This is subjective, but some people think that Duolingo is more convenient to take, as it’s online, and less stressful to take, than some face to face exams. Equally, it can take time to get used to talking to the camera rather than a real person, so practice is necessary.
The test will be more difficult if you are not familiar with the types of questions you will be asked, which is why it’s important to prepare well.
You are given a score related to your English proficiency, rather than a pass or fail grade, so it is not necessarily more difficult or easier than other exams.
How can I prepare for the Duolingo test in Geneva ?
The Language House offers face-to-face or online lessons to help you prepare for your test. The number of lessons you need will depend on your level when you start to prepare and the score you are aiming for.
How can I practice the Duolingo Exam ?
The official practice website has a lot of practice of the test task types:
https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home
You can also do mock tests for free, which is a good way to chart your progress and to know which task types you need to focus on.
As with any test preparation, you should also read and listen to different sources in English as much as possible. You should also try to practise your speaking as much as you can, as this will help you to gain confidence and become more fluent.
Which test is better, Duolingo or IELTS ?
Again this is subjective, but the tests are quite different. Duolingo has shorter tasks and requires less volume of reading and listening. The tasks are broken down into smaller individual sections. This therefore necessitates a less in-depth understanding of the language than IELTS, which has longer texts, and requires longer writing tasks. IELTS is a more complete test of the skills candidates will need in higher education.
Overall, IELTS is more globally accepted and recognised than Duolingo, and has been established for a longer time – over 30 years, whereas the Duolingo test was introduced in 2014.