Duolingo English Test Scholarships 2023- Eligibility & Availability

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on May 11, 2023 10:26 PM IST

The cost of taking the Duolingo English Test is already low and quite affordable. Additionally, Duolingo gives fee waivers to organizations that work to support low-income students with high-achieving capabilities. It provides support to students from low-income backgrounds.

There are some universities that provide Duolingo scholarships to students with high scores on the exam. Let us explore more of these universities that are providing Duolingo English Test scholarships to international students on this page! 

Duolingo English Test Scholarship

Described as the most convenient, trustable, fastest, and affordable alternative to other well-known English proficiency tests, Duolingo has made a name for itself in the last few years. It is a computer adaptive test that delivers results within 48 hours after the test has been conducted. There are certain universities, such as Chatham University (US), that provide scholarships for students with high scores on Duolingo English Test.

Duolingo English Test (DET) is specifically designed for study abroad aspirants to get certified for their English language proficiency at an affordable cost. Other English language proficiency tests such as the IELTS Academic, TOEFL exam, PTE Academic, etc. may cost up to USD 200 to USD 250. On the other hand, Duolingo helps international students to take the exam at an affordable price of USD 49.

Need Expert Help to Study Abroad with Duolingo?

Duolingo English Test Scoring Explained

The Duolingo English Test evaluates your abilities to read, write, speak, and listen in English. A test taker's competence is presented as a holistic score on a scale of 160 points, with 5-point increments. The results are calculated using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), an international standard of language aptitude. 

It is a popular misconception that since Duolingo is easier than tests like IELTS and TOEFL, international students can get Duolingo English test scholarships to study abroad. To acquire equivalent results in terms of percentile ranks, Duolingo scores are matched to IETLS and TOEFL scores. This involves verifying the accuracy of Duolingo test scores.

Keen to learn more about the Duolingo English test, its benefits, how to attempt and why you should prefer taking one? Here are a few quick links that will help you ace the DET:

Universities Accepting Duolingo Scores for Fall 2023 Intake

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo - Which Exam to Take for Study Abroad?

Duolingo Practice Test - Benefits, How to Attempt

Duolingo English Test: Speaking Interview Questions

Why Do Universities Prefer the Duolingo English Test?

Several universities and schools are continuing to experiment with Duolingo as a valid English grading technique due to its numerous benefits to students and universities. Other exams, particularly those with short time frames, need students travelling to be physically present at testing places. Universities, on the other hand, find it easier to keep track of exam grades because of Duolingo's online services. 

As a result, they can evaluate an application for admissions and Duolingo English Test scholarships in less time and effort. Candidates must visit the official Duolingo website to register for the English exam. Universities that accept the Duolingo test evaluate your English speaking ability based on your scores, video interview, and writing samples. As a result, you're exposing them to your command of the English language.

Countries that Accept Duolingo English Test Scores?

The number of universities that accept Duolingo exams is expanding, as more people put their trust in the programme. As previously indicated, the Duolingo exam is accepted in a variety of nations. As a result, Duolingo is recognised by several prominent study-abroad destinations, including:

  • United States of America

  • United Kingdom

  • Ireland

  • Canada

  • Australia

  • New Zealand

  • China

  • Qatar

  • Singapore

  • Japan

  • South Korea

  • Mexico

  • Thailand

  • Chile

  • European countries like Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, etc. 

Note: The Duolingo English exam is currently accepted by over 2,000 schools. Some well-known universities that accept the Duolingo exam are as follows:

Duolingo English Test Fee Waiver

Duolingo has a special provision for a fee waiver for organisations. The testing authority aims to make education affordable and accessible for all. An extension of this aim is the fee waiver plan.

The organisations which help financially backward but academically brilliant students to apply for admissions to foreign universities can apply for fee waivers. The reason is that while an individual fee is USD 49 only, in collective terms the amount may become significant.

In order to apply for a Duolingo fee waiver the organisations need to keep the following in mind:

  • They must be involved in helping students to apply to foreign universities.

  • The students must be in need of financial support.

  • The organisation must work in a not-for-profit manner.

  • The fee waiver shall be in proportion to the contribution and efforts made by the organisation towards education and supporting financially backward international students.

What is Considered a Good Duolingo English Test Score for Scholarships?

The Duolingo exam takes one hour to complete, and the results are available within 48 hours. The results will be available online, and you will be able to send them to as many colleges as you wish. Duolingo English Test scores range from 10 to 160. The scores are in five-digit increments. 

A good Duolingo score is 110 or higher. A score of 120 or more is considered exceptional. This is particularly true when compared to IELTS, TOEFL, and CEFR results. A score of 7 is regarded as appropriate for IELTS, an 86 for TOEFL, and a B2 for CEFR. Though many colleges are forgiving on TOEFL and IELTS scores, your score for Duolingo cannot go below 110.

The Duolingo test score is broken down into four categories, as explained in the table mentioned below:

Proficiency 

DET Score

Score Analysis 

Basic 

10-55

The fundamental comprehension of English words and phrases is examined here.

Intermediate 

60-85

The questions that an Intermediate English speaker can answer are included.

Upper-Intermediate

90-115

Unfamiliar concepts will be offered, as will questions that an upper-intermediate student can answer.

Advanced 

125-160

An advanced student with excellent English skills.

Duolingo English Test Score Interpretation for Scholarships and Admissions

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the worldwide language competency standard. Duolingo is linked with the CEFR for uniform score interpretation for scholarships and admissions for international students to study abroad, as you can see in the table below.

CEFR

DET Score Scale

Interpretation 

A1

10 to 55

Basic understanding of English words and phrases.

A2

B1

60-85

Understand and can describe in full how to utilise English.

B2

90-115

Everything is communicated in the English language.

C1

120-160

Understands all forms of written and spoken English, including specialist language use.

C2

Know More About the Study Abroad Scholarahips Based on DET Scores!

FAQs on Duolingo English Test Scholarships

Can I get a scholarship funded by Duolingo?

You cannot get a scholarship funded by Duolingo. The testing authority maintains the notion that the test is quite affordable at a fee of USD 49, which is nominal in comparison to other proficiency test fees. Moreover, the design of the test uses AI and machine learning to ensure that questions asked are on the level of test-takers knowledge.

Does a high score in Duolingo attract scholarship offers?

A high score in the Duolingo exam does not attract scholarship offers. Students are required to attempt the test and submit score certificates to prove their language proficiency, which is required to understand the course material that shall be delivered to them. No third party, government, university, etc, consider the scores as a mark that must attract funding support.

What is the Duolingo cut-off for scholarship funding?

The Duolingo cut-off for scholarship funding does not exist. There is no scholarship program announced by the Duolingo conducting authority, which considers high scores in Duolingo as an eligibility criterion to award scholarships. Hence, there is no cut-off score announced for the case scenario.

Does Duolingo provide any fee waivers?

Duolingo provides fee waivers to organisations, that help academically brilliant students, who are challenged by circumstances to pursue their higher education. These organisations often fund the test fees of numerous students and the nominal amount of USD 49 surmounts a huge expense. This consideration has led to the availability of fee waivers for such organisations.

What are the qualifications to receive a fee waiver from the Duolingo authority?

The qualifications to receive a fee waiver from Duolingo authority are fairly simple and logical. Firstly the applicant should be an organization and not an individual. Then, such organizations must be devoted to helping students with some kind of condition, such as financial, that hampers their educational path, and who are deserving to continue.

Is an application required to earn a fee waiver from the Duolingo authority?

An application is required to earn a fee waiver from the Duolingo authority. All the organisations that consider themselves to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the waiver shall have to fill out an application form. It is only through the application form that they shall be considered by the authority as a candidate for the waivers.

What is the process to receive a fee waiver from the Duolingo authority?

The process to receive a fee waiver from the Duolingo authority is quite simplified. The organizations, that are interested in availing of the fee waivers, shall have to apply for the same by filling out the form. They have to additionally provide proof of their work with the students. The Duolingo authority reviews and assesses the applications, and accordingly awards waivers.

Does the Duolingo authority do background checks on fee waiver applicants?

Yes, the Duolingo authority does background checks on the fee waiver applicants. The organizations have to submit proof and explanation on how they are helping financially challenged, or any other barrier, students to achieve higher education. The applicant organization must be a pioneer of higher education, otherwise, the waiver is not credible.

Can I use my high scores in Duolingo for third-party scholarships?

You cannot use high scores in Duolingo for third-party scholarships. The reason is that high scores in any of the English language proficiency tests are not considered by the trusts and other third-party funders to award scholarships. Since the criteria are absent the related awards cannot be availed.

Which universities accept students funded by Duolingo scholarships?

Universities do not accept students funded by Duolingo scholarships, as there is no funding from the Duolingo authority. Many universities accept third-party scholarship funding for students, however, Duolingo does not offer any scholarships. In case Duolingo announces scholarships, they may be accepted as valid fund sources for students.

Colleges accepting Duolingo English Test

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