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Why is Duolingo English Test Popular in the USA
Duolingo English Test has found global acceptance from 5000+ universities worldwide. If we talk about the United States of America specifically, it’s known that over 3200 US institutions have acknowledged DET as a bankable yardstick to measure command over the English language. DET has become quite popular amongst Indian students, irrespective of the programs they are applying for. After the acceptance of DET, US universities have opened their doors of education to people from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic benchmarks.
Also Read: Duolingo Exam Fees & Format 2025
The United States is home to some of the most renowned educational institutions in the world. Universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale have consistently ranked at the top of global educational charts, attracting students from all corners of the globe. While the US is a coveted destination, the financial and logistical hurdles associated with this journey can be challenging, especially when demonstrating English proficiency. Traditional tests like TOEFL and IELTS come with high costs, complex logistics, and tiresome preparation times. For students, especially those on a tight budget, this can feel like a mountain too high to climb.
Let’s see why the Duolingo English Test is getting popular amongst Indian students:
- Duolingo English Test (DET) is affordable– No prizes for guessing; DET is a cost-efficient option, compared to the other English proficiency tests It costs 4,852 Rs. In any case, going abroad for studies involves a wide range of costs, so students are prone to choosing cost-effective alternatives wherever possible.
- Attempt the Duolingo Test from anywhere– DET facilitates test takers to attempt the test from anywhere in the world with absolutely no need to travel to a physical location or test center to take exams. Students can book the tests as per their convenience and schedule and completely free their minds from travel costs.
- Adaptive Testing—The Duolingo English Test is a computer adaptive test, which means that the question sequence and difficulty change for each test taker and test session. Because it is adaptive, the test is slightly different from other tests you may have taken.
- Get Your Performance Evaluation Report within 48 hours– You can easily fetch your results and performance evaluation assessment within 48 hours after your exams. It saves students’ time and prevents delays.
- Question difficulty changes dynamically throughout the test– Your performance determines the difficulty of the question that comes next. Some questions may seem easier or harder than others.
- The test length will vary : There is no set number of questions. The test ends once the grading engine is confident in your score. Each test will be different and may take slightly more or less time to complete.
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List of the Duolingo Accepting Universities in the USA
Stop worrying about your IELTS and TOEFL scores. Focus on the Duolingo English test and start exploring the Duolingo Accepting Universities in the USA for undergraduate and postgraduate programs:
Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA Score- Wise
All Duolingo scores are on a scale of 10–160. Certified tests receive Individual Subscores and Integrated Subscores that measure your proficiency in specific areas. The subscores average to the Overall Score.
Below are the Duolingo Accepting Universities in the USA score-wise:
Test scores 90-100 | Test scores 100-110 | Test scores 110-120 | Test scores 120 above |
Arizona State University | Southeastern University | University of California Berkeley | Harvard University |
University of West Florida | Northeastern University | Washington University | New York University |
Illinois Institute of Technology | University of Utah | Indiana University | University of Pittsburgh |
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | University of Vermont | Rice University | Boston College |
California State University | University of Cincinnati | University of Kentucky | Duke University |
San Jose State University | Kent State University | Yale University | |
Iowa State University | Cornell University | ||
University of Alabama | John Hopkins University | ||
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | |||
Pennsylvania State University |
Tips to Achieve a Higher Duolingo scores
Follow the tips and tricks below to qualify your DET with flying colours and get yourself enrolled in your dream USA university.
- Consistency is Key: Make Duolingo a daily habit. Use the app every single day, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes. Maintain your learning streak and complete your daily lessons regularly.
- Practice Repeatedly: Don’t just complete lessons once. Revisit and strengthen previous skills by practicing them multiple times. This helps reinforce your learning and prevents skill decay.
- Use All Learning Modes: Take advantage of different learning modes:
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- Complete new lessons
- Do practice exercises
- Use the “strengthen skills” feature
- Take advantage of listening, speaking, and translation exercises
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- Focus on Accuracy: Duolingo rewards accuracy. Try to minimize mistakes by:
- Reading questions carefully
- Thinking before answering
- Using hints when needed
- Reviewing your mistakes after each lesson
- Leverage Bonus Skills: Complete bonus skills and challenge lessons to earn extra XP and demonstrate your language proficiency.
- Listen and Speak Actively: Don’t just read and write. Actively engage with pronunciation exercises, speak out loud, and try to mimic native speakers.
- Use Duolingo Stories: Stories are an excellent way to improve comprehension and learn contextual language usage. They often provide more nuanced language learning.
- Track Your Progress: Pay attention to your crown levels, XP, and fluency percentage. Set personal goals and challenge yourself to improve consistently.
- Don’t Rush: Quality matters more than speed. Take your time to understand concepts, review grammar, and learn from your mistakes.
- Supplement with Other Resources: While Duolingo is great, complement it with:
- Language exchange apps
- Watching movies/shows in the target language
- Conversing with native speaker
- Additional grammar resources
Pro Tips:
- Enable sound to help with pronunciation
- Use the mobile app for quick, on-the-go learning
- Set realistic daily goals
- Don’t get discouraged by mistakes – they’re part of learning
Remember, a high Duolingo score reflects consistent effort, not just innate language talent. Stay motivated, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the language-learning journey!
Duolingo Test Requirements- Students, Please note down!
Your environment
- No other people present
- Good lighting
- No noises or distractions
- A reliable internet connection
Your computer
- Windows or Mac operating system
- A front-facing camera
- A microphone
- Speakers
- A phone with a camera
Your ID
- A passport, driver’s license, or a government-issued ID
Summary
Students from around the world are increasingly opting for the Duolingo English Test, and for good reason. The DET stands out for its ease and efficiency. Its holistic approach to evaluating English skills aligns perfectly with the demands of US universities, making it an increasingly popular choice. Choose the Duolingo English Test and explore the Duolingo Accepting Universities in the USA above.
Discover: Duolingo Accepted Universities in the UK
FAQs
Ques 1: Is Duolingo accepted in the USA for VISA?
Answer 1: Yes. The Duolingo English Test is accepted for visas in the US as well as Ireland. For the UK and Canada, it depends on which method you use to apply. Traditional study permits require acceptance at a designated learning institution (DLI).
Ques 2: How good is Duolingo’s score?
Answer 2: Above 110, all are good Duolingo scores.
Duolingo Score | CEFR level |
0-9 | very early A1 |
10-19 | early A1 |
20-29 | high A1 |
30-59 | A2 |
60-79 | early B1 |
80-99 | high B1 |
100-114 | early B2 |
115-129 | high B2 |
130-160 | C1 and C2 |
Ques 3: What is a 120 score on Duolingo?
Answer 3: A score of 120 is considered to be an excellent score in DET.
Proficiency level | DET Scores |
Basic | 10-55 |
Intermediate | 60-85 |
Upper-Intermediate | 90-115 |
Advanced | 125-160 |