Detailed Guide For Duolingo English Test Scores & Result

Your proficiency is shown as a total score between 10 and 160 measured in 5-point increments. The Duolingo English Test scores are based on the CEFR, a global standard for measuring language skills. In the appendix of this guide, you can find how your score matches CEFR levels and how it compares to TOEFL iBT® or IELTS® Academic scores.

You will receive individual subscores for Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening, as well as integrated subscores.

The DET uses two grading methods: automatic grading for fixed-answer questions and AI-based grading for open-response tasks. Here’s how they work

1. Automatically Graded Questions

Questions like Read and Complete, Read and Select, Fill in the Blanks, Listen and Type, Read Aloud, Complete the Passage, Highlight the Answer, Identify the Idea, and Title the Passage are graded automatically using advanced algorithms. These algorithms compare your answers to correct responses and measure how close your answer is.

Key Points to Understand:

• No extra penalty for wrong answers: If you skip a question or provide an incorrect response, you will lose the same amount of points.
• Partial credit is possible: Even if your answer isn’t completely correct, you can earn partial points. For example:
• Date of Birth
• In Read and Complete, leaving a blank or giving an incorrect answer results in the same score.
• In Listen and Type, you lose more points for missing a word entirely than for making a small typo.
• Tip: Always attempt to answer every question, as trying gives you a better chance of earning points.

2. Open-Response Questions

Tasks like Summarize the Conversation, Write About the Photo, Speak About the Photo, Interactive Writing, Read Then Speak, Listen Then Speak, Writing Sample, and Speaking Sample require open responses. These answers are evaluated by an AI-based grading system that works similarly to human experts in assessing English proficiency.

What Is Evaluated?

1. Content:

• How relevant your response is to the question.
• The quality of your ideas and how well they are developed.
• The effect of your response on the reader or listener.

2. Discourse Coherence (Writing):

• Clarity and organization of ideas.
• Smooth transitions and logical progression of thoughts.

3. Vocabulary (Writing):

• Variety and complexity of words used.
• Appropriate word choices and correct spelling.

4. Grammar (Writing):

• Accuracy and complexity of grammar.
• Proper punctuation use.

5. Fluency (Speaking):

• How naturally you speak, including appropriate pacing.
• Minimal use of filler words and smooth transitions between ideas.

6. Pronunciation (Speaking):

• Clarity and correctness of sounds.
• Proper use of stress, intonation, and rhythm in sentences.

• The individual subscores are calculated by evaluating how well a person performs in each section of the test. These scores reflect performance in specific areas.
• To get the overall score, the individual subscores are averaged together. This average is then rounded to the nearest multiple of 5. This ensures the overall score is presented in a standardized way.
• For integrated subscores, these are calculated by combining two related individual subscores. The average of these two subscores gives the integrated score, representing performance in a combined area or skill.

Know what your Duolingo test score card will contain.

Your overall score will fall within a scale ranging from 10 to 160, with increments of 5 points. Additionally, your score will be mapped to a corresponding CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level, providing a standardized indication of your proficiency in the language.

This combination of numerical scores and CEFR levels offers both a precise measure of your performance and an easy-to-understand reference for language ability.

You will receive separate scores for speaking, writing, reading, and listening, giving a clear view of your proficiency in each area.

This detailed breakdown helps pinpoint specific areas to focus on for improvement:

• A high score in writing shows strong grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
• A lower writing score may indicate the need to work on mechanics or clarity in written communication.
• Listening and reading scores help identify challenges in understanding accents or interpreting complex texts.

These integrated subscores group your individual scores into real-world communication skills: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. Here's a quick breakdown

• Literacy: Measures your ability to understand and produce written English. A strong score means you're good at reading and writing, which is key for academic success.
• Comprehension: Focuses on your listening and reading skills. A high score shows you can follow spoken content and understand written materials in English.
• Conversation: Combines your speaking and listening skills. A strong score means you can confidently hold conversations and express yourself clearly.
• Production: Looks at your writing and speaking abilities. A high score shows you're good at expressing yourself clearly in both speech and writing, which is important for work and studies.

Know how to send your result and score.

How to Send Your Results

• Once your test is certified and results are ready, you'll get an email alert.
• Log in to your Duolingo English Test account.
• Your certified test results will appear in the 'My Tests' section.
• For each certified test, click the 'Send Results' button to share them.
• Follow the prompts to choose institutions you'd like to send results to.
• Confirm your selections before sending them.
• You can send your results to an unlimited number of institutions at no extra cost.
• Since results are sent electronically, there's no need for mailing.
• Institutions will get your results right away.

How Institutions Use Results

• Most institutions use Duolingo English Test scores for admissions or placement, just like other English proficiency tests.
• Many institutions set minimum score thresholds, so check each university’s website for specific requirements.
• Along with your score, the test provides additional details through your speaking and writing samples.

What Institutions See

• Score Report: Institutions see your overall score and subscores.
• Writing & Speaking Samples:
• Institutions will read your extended writing sample and watch your speaking sample.
• The speaking sample is a video, so they can see and hear you.
• These samples help institutions learn more about you and your English skills.
• Perform well on these parts to make a strong impression as an applicant!