Duolingo English Test Eligibility 2023 - Check Age Limit & Academic Qualification

Why Choose to Take the Duolingo English Test?

Before knowing about the Duolingo English Test eligibility criteria, let us know about the several compelling reasons you should take the Duolingo English Test:

Take it Anytime and Anywhere

One of the primary benefits of taking the Duolingo English exam is that you do not need to travel to a testing facility. If the necessary testing environment is in place, it may be taken from anywhere. You can pick the day and hour you wish to take the exam before enrolling. You are free to schedule the exam whenever it is most convenient for you.

DET is User Friendly

The Duolingo English Test is easy to use. You may just register for and pay for the exam. You will be guided through the instructions and an introduction to the examination once you have signed up to take the exam. The test's user interface is simple, and each section is well-defined.

It is Budget Friendly

The examination costs only USD 49. You save money not just on the exam, but also on travel and the hassle of getting to the facility. For the price of one IELTS or TOEFL exam, you may take many Duolingo examinations.

Duolingo results can be submitted to an endless number of colleges without paying any additional expenses. You may only send your TOEFL scores to four universities for free, and your IELTS scores to five. Following that, each subsequent university costs about USD 20. Duolingo helps you save money on all of these costs. The findings are available within 48 hours.

Easy Registration Policies

One advantage of the DET is its simple online enrollment: it is quick and straightforward. You can sign up for the exam minutes before it begins. There are no predetermined dates for the Duolingo English Test. All you have to do is follow the instructions and meet the prerequisites for the Duolingo English Test. To complete the registration process, you must pay the test fee. To register for the exam, you will need a computer/laptop as well as internet connectivity. Additionally, be certain that you can pay the Duolingo English Test registration fee online.

Easy Eligibility Criteria

You do not need to offer academic credentials or prove your qualifications if you take the Duolingo English Test. Anybody from anywhere in the world can register for and take the Duolingo English Test. Nonetheless, there are specified rules and regulations that must be followed both before and during the exam. 

Assume your goal in taking the Duolingo English Test is to apply for admission. In that instance, test takers must check that the test is acceptable at the desired institution before taking it. Everyone may take the Duolingo English test. The Duolingo councils have not set any age restrictions. If you are under the age of 13 or the age at which your country needs parental consent, you must receive approval from your parents or guardians to take the exam.

If you are a non-native English speaker, you do not need to take the Duolingo English Test. To begin the examination, the candidate needs just register for it and pay for it.

Exam Pattern and Format 

Apart from the advantages of taking the DET, the exam has a unique format that differs from the normal IELTS and TOEFL tests. Duolingo does not support long questions. The exam assesses your language competence based on your intonation and idiom knowledge. Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing are all tested, as they are in the TOEFL and IELTS, but the questions are unique and unlike anything you have seen in an English language test before.

Scoring Criteria

Another benefit of the DET is its distinct and legitimate scoring. To establish real-world language competency, this exam assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Your overall competency is assessed on a scale of 10-160. After the exam, you will be given a score ranging from 10 to 160. This is a cumulative score, not a point for each component. A score of more than 120, equivalent to Band 7 in IELTS, is frequently required for top-ranking programmes abroad.

More Institutions are Accepting the DET

In light of the past Covid-19 situation, one of the primary advantages of taking the DET is that hundreds of prestigious American colleges recognise Duolingo test scores. Harvard Medical School recently announced that it will accept Duolingo exam scores from international students. The results of this exam would be sufficient, and students would not need to take IELTS or TOEFL in addition. Duolingo English test results are generally accepted by over 1100 colleges worldwide (and growing).

Who Can Take the Duolingo English Test?

Duolingo English Test (DET) can be taken by anyone who needs to analyse their English language proficiency. Duolingo, the conducting authority of the Duolingo English Test, aims to make education, especially linguistics, to be available to all. Hence, there are no special eligibility standards which the candidates have to satisfy. The test is usually taken to apply for admission at institutes where the DET certificate is acceptable. This test is the best substitute for other English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

In case the university that the candidate is making an application to does not recognise the Duolingo certificate, then the test can help in the preparation of the other English language proficiency tests as well. Comparison of the Duolingo test scores can help them understand the level and possible score on the other tests. Hence, the Duolingo English Test is also the best support for candidates preparing to take other English proficiency tests.

Keen to score high on the Duolingo English test to get admitted to your desired universities abroad? Check out the following links to make yourself acquainted with DET:

Academic Qualification for Duolingo Test

There is no academic requirement to attempt the Duolingo English Test. You do not need to have any minimum qualification to be able to apply for the test. All you need to do is register for the test and make payment successfully to start taking the test. 

Although Duolingo is preferred by students who wish to study bachelor's or master's abroad, students of classes 5, 6, and 7 can also take the Duolingo English Test.

Age Criteria to Take the Duolingo English Test

Duolingo aims to create an accessible platform for all those who are interested in languages. Its goal requires discretion on the authority's part, and the barriers such as nationality, age, income, etc. have to be removed. Hence, there are no age criteria to appear in the Duolingo English Test. However, if your age is below 13 years or below the cutoff age for requiring parental consent in your country, you will need the consent of your parents or guardians to take the test.

How Often Can I Attempt the Duolingo English Test?

Duolingo English Test can be attempted any number of times. However, you cannot register for a new test until the result of your previous test is released. You can receive the Duolingo English Test certificate twice in 30 days. In case you do not receive a certificate for a particular test, it will be counted as unattempted.

Prerequisites to Take the Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test does not have any special eligibility standards, however, in order to attempt and validate the test certain prerequisites are mentioned. You must have the following arrangements done before taking the English language test:

• Must have a passport, driver's license, or government ID for registration.

• Must have a laptop/ computer to take the test.

• The laptop/ computer must have a front-facing camera.

• Must have a reliable internet connection

Validity of the Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test can be attempted an unlimited number of times. However, only two certificates can be owned within a period of 30 days. However, the validity of the Duolingo scores is for a period of two years. The test has been declared as a valid proof of English Language Proficiency by numerous international universities in recent years.

The accessibility and feasibility of the test have made it a widely popular choice in online test formats and students increasingly apply for it. Noticing the acceptance of tests among the students varying universities, including the world's top universities, have started accepting Duolingo English Test Score transcripts as valid and acceptable proof of proficiency of the candidate in the English language. 

Requirements to Re-Attempt Duolingo

While there is no limit to the number of times you can try Duolingo, you can only try it twice in 30 days. You might retake the test if your score was unacceptable. There are no special requirements for retaking this exam. At the same time, you may only apply for a fresh test once you have received your initial test results.

Rule & Regulations for the Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test despite having no eligibility requirements does have certain rules for the test takers to follow while attempting the test. Following are the rules & regulations that need to be followed by the test takers while taking the Duolingo English Test:

• Face and ears must be uncovered ad visible

• Cannot communicate with anyone else

• No headphones and earphones can be used

• mobile devices, notes, or textbooks can not be used

• No papers, glasses, or utensils are allowed

• Cannot leave the test window for any reason

• No predictive input method can be used 

• No third-party web camera software can be used 

• One cannot use a second monitor or screen sharing software  or remote access can be used

• Do not take your identity

• Speak for at least 30 seconds on the topics presented in the graded speaking section

• The room must be bright and quiet

• The internet connection must be strong enough to take the test for 60 minutes without interruption

Duolingo English Test Penalties for Violating the Rules

If you break any of the aforementioned Duolingo English Test rules, you will be subject to the following penalties:

• Any Duolingo results that have already been certified by the authorities may likewise be revoked by them without any compensation.

• Your test results may not be certified by Duolingo.

• The opportunity to retake the Duolingo English Test may also be permanently barred for applicants.

After the test is finished, the invigilator will review your test video to make sure you complied with all the guidelines or rules. To gain admission to the academic institutions for higher education, make preparations to perform well on Duolingo English Test.