Do Universities Have a Preference for English Tests?

No, they don’t. Schools only accept tests that they are completely confident in, and they don’t favor one test over another once it's on the approved list.

Schools accept multiple tests without preference

Admissions officers may have more experience with tests like TOEFL or IELTS that have been around for decades compared to a newer test like the Duolingo English Test. However, familiarity doesn’t equal preference.

Schools are free to choose which tests they accept, and they don’t accept a new test easily. Universities put a new test through rigorous internal review processes to ensure that it is a reliable measure of a student’s English level. If a school decides that they can’t trust the test, then they won’t accept it. As simple as that.

The DET is already widely accepted at top universities around the world, including in popular study abroad destinations like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. New schools are accepting it all the time. Just recently, Princeton University added it to their list of accepted tests for undergrad programs!

Scores between different tests are highly correlated

When evaluating tests, one of the key aspects a university looks at is whether students’ scores on the new test line up with scores on other English proficiency tests. One reason that the Duolingo English Test is being accepted by more and more universities is that the team who created the test has clearly shown that DET scores are closely correlated with scores on tests like TOEFL and IELTS. Schools know that they can trust the DET.

Admission websites may not be up to date

Because the Duolingo English Test is so rapidly gaining acceptance, not every university has had the time to update the application guidelines on their websites. If a university you are interested in doesn’t mention the Duolingo English Test on their website, you should send them an email to ask if they accept the DET. Here is an email template that you can use:

To whom it may concern,

My name is [your name], and I’m interested in applying for [name of program and/or school]. I didn’t find any mention of the Duolingo English Test in the application requirements, so I wanted to ask: Do you accept the Duolingo English Test? If so, what are the required scores?

Thank you very much,

[your name]

Universities appreciate the accessibility of the Duolingo English Test

Universities are always striving to make their institutions more accessible so that they can create a diverse student body. The Duolingo English Test helps schools fulfill this mission.

Because the DET is so much cheaper and it is taken from home – not an in-person testing center – it is a lot more accessible than other tests. This allows students from underrepresented groups and regions to far more easily prove their English levels and gain admission to an academic program.

What Matters Most: The Score, Not the Test

Universities set minimum required scores on English proficiency tests for a reason. They know that that score is the level a student needs to succeed at their institution. Admissions officers care that you meet the required minimums. They don’t care which test you take to get there.

If you are considering taking the Duolingo English Test, then you should check out Arno. We give you unlimited practice questions for every question type for free. We also give you a full, free mock test with subscores and detailed feedback on all your responses so that you know exactly where to improve. And when you book your test through us, you will save 15% off the booking fee and get your results in just 24 hours!