Duolingo English Test

The whole test takes about 1 hour and has three stages:

• Setup and identity check – introduction, document check, camera and microphone test – ~5 min.
• Graded section – a mix of listening, reading, writing and speaking tasks – ~45 min.
• Writing and speaking samples – open questions you answer out loud and in writing – ~10 min.

The test is adaptive – the difficulty of the questions changes depending on how well you answer. There is no fixed number of questions, so every test is different.

The Duolingo English Test is scored from 10 to 160. Besides the overall score, the certificate shows separate scores for speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Typical scores for university admission:

• Most universities that accept the Duolingo English Test require about 105–120 points (roughly equal to IELTS 6.0–6.5).
• Always check the exact requirements in the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page.

How Duolingo scores compare with IELTS, TOEFL and CEFR levels – see the official score comparison page. Results are valid for 2 years from the test date.

The biggest advantage of the Duolingo English Test is that you take it at home, at any time of day. No need to book a specific date or travel to a test center.

• After you buy the test, you have 21 days to take it – whenever you feel ready.
• You take the test on a computer with the Duolingo English Test app (Windows or Mac) – you can't take it in a browser or on a phone.
• You must be alone in the room during the test, and you use your phone as a second camera, which records your screen and keyboard.

Important: the test is strictly supervised – you can't look away from the screen, use notes or headphones, or get help from anyone. If you break the rules, your test is canceled. You will find all the rules on the official Duolingo preparation page.

Registering is simple – create an account on the official Duolingo English Test website and buy the test. You don't choose a date – you take the test whenever you want.

• One test costs about 70 USD (extra fees may apply). You see the exact price when you buy.
• You can also buy a two-test bundle at a lower price and send your better result to the universities.
• In any 30 days, you can buy up to 3 tests.
• Before you buy, you can try a free practice test – it gives you an estimated score.

For comparison – the Duolingo English Test is several times cheaper than IELTS or TOEFL.

You get your results within 2 days after the test – the Duolingo English Test is one of the fastest English tests around.

• You can send your results to universities for free and as many times as you like – unlike IELTS or TOEFL, there is no fee for additional score reports.
• Universities can verify your certificate online – no separate paper document is needed.
• If you're not happy with your result, you can take the test again – you can buy up to 3 tests within 30 days.

• A valid identity document (passport or national ID card) – your identity is checked before the test.
• A computer (Windows or Mac) with a working camera, microphone and speakers – headphones are not allowed.
• A phone with a camera – it records your screen and keyboard during the whole test.
• A stable internet connection – if your connection drops, the test may stop.
• A quiet, well-lit room where you are alone – no notes or extra devices on the desk.

Start with the official Duolingo materials – they reflect the test format exactly:

• Official Duolingo preparation page – free practice test, task types and rules.
• Score comparison page – how Duolingo scores compare with IELTS, TOEFL and CEFR levels.

The test tasks may be different from what you know from school. So look at the format in advance and take the free practice test – then nothing will surprise you on test day. This official video shows the whole test and the task types:

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you prepare for the Duolingo English Test:

• Ask it to give you Speaking tasks like the ones in the test – practice answering out loud.
• Write short texts and ask for feedback on grammar, vocabulary and structure.
• Ask it to explain difficult grammar rules in simple words.

These tools are available 24/7 and let you learn at your own pace.

You don't need to sit with a textbook. What matters most is hearing and using English every day:

• Watch TV shows and movies in English, with English subtitles.
• Follow English-language accounts on social media.
• Switch your phone's language to English.
• Listen to podcasts in English – about topics you find interesting.

Don't stay up studying the night before the test. Let your brain rest. A good night's sleep helps more than last-minute studying.

Focus on the process, not the result – you're getting ready to study in English, so enjoy the journey.

Only some. The Duolingo English Test is accepted by four Kastu partner universities in Belgium (Artevelde, Howest, Thomas More and VIVES) and by Jönköping University in Sweden. The Kastu partner universities in Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland do not accept it – they require IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted proof of English. You will find all the requirements on the required English language tests page.

Most universities that accept the Duolingo English Test require about 105–120 points – roughly equal to IELTS 6.0–6.5. The exact requirements depend on the university and the study program, so always check the program description on kastu.eu and the official university page.

Yes, sometimes. Some Kastu partner universities accept your school-leaving exam in English instead of an international test. Others accept your English grade or your hours of English at school. It depends on the university and on the country where you finished school. You will find the details on the school-leaving exam in English page.

The Duolingo English Test is the cheapest and most convenient – you take it at home and get your results within 2 days. But fewer universities accept it than IELTS or TOEFL. If your university accepts Duolingo, it's a great choice. If not, choose IELTS or TOEFL. And if you choose TOEFL, use the Kastu discount code LTU1000102 and save 5%. More information on the TOEFL page.

You can take the test again – you can buy up to 3 tests within 30 days. If you think you might need a second try, buy the two-test bundle right away – it costs less. Send your best result to the universities – sending certificates is free.

In most cases, yes – you can fill in the free Kastu application form now and upload your Duolingo certificate later. Because you get your results within 2 days, the Duolingo English Test is especially useful when the document deadline is close. Check the final deadline for documents in the program description on kastu.eu and on the official university page. You also get an e-mail and SMS reminder.