What is a Good Duolingo English Test Score? - Arno
In this post, you will learn about global average scores on the Duolingo English Test but also why those averages aren't as important as you may think.
Table Contents
- The best score is the score that you need
- What scores do schools generally expect?
- Global average scores on the Duolingo English Test in 2022/23
- How to estimate your score and improve it
The best score is the score that you need
Ultimately, the most important thing is getting the score that you need to apply to the schools you want to apply to. As long as you have the scores you need, it doesn’t matter how that score compares to the scores of other people.
It’s simple: You should identify the schools you want to apply to. Then, find the scores that they require. The highest minimum score is the score that you need. Get that score then go do things that are more fun than taking tests 🙂
☝️ Be sure to check if schools have minimums for specific subscores.
Duolingo maintains a list of schools that accept the DET. You can use this to easily find the required minimums of schools you’re applying to. You can also use that list to find more schools that accept the DET!
☝️ It is free to send your DET results to schools.
What scores do schools generally expect?
If you don’t know which schools you’re applying to, then you likely want to know what scores schools typically expect.
Most schools require an overall score between 110 and 130.
However, there are still many schools that require less than 110. There are also schools that don’t have required minimums! This doesn’t mean that your DET score doesn’t matter and that these schools are easy to get into. Rather, it just means that these schools evaluate your application as a whole. Be sure to check their required minimums for other standardized tests and their acceptance rate to determine how competitive they are.
Global average scores on the Duolingo English Test in 2022/23
In Duolingo’s official technical manual, they provide statistics on average global scores for 99,415 test takers between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023.
The average scores were:
- Overall = 108.12
- Comprehension = 115.86
- Conversation = 98.68
- Literacy = 108.79
- Production = 86.32
The average overall score on the Duolingo English Test is 108.12.
Duolingo also provides the 25th and 75th percentiles score. The score at the 25th percentile means that 25% of test takers scored lower than that while the score at the 75th percentile means that 25% of test scored higher than that.
25th and 75th percentiles:
- Overall = 95; 120
- Comprehension = 105; 130
- Conversation = 85; 115
- Literacy = 95; 125
- Production = 75; 100
A “high” score on the DET is anything above 120 while a “low” score is anything below 95.
How to estimate your score and improve it
Duolingo provides an official practice test that you can take as many times as you like. It provides you with a range of estimated scores.
Unfortunately, these ranges are often massive. For example, it is not uncommon to receive an estimated score between 80 and 120. A 60 won’t meet the minimum at any school while 115 is high enough for many schools! This means that you can’t rely upon the practice test to predict how you will do on the real test.
If you have the money, you can take the real test and get actual scores. Duolingo even sells a package of 2 tests for $98 USD, which means that each test costs $49 USD instead of $59 USD. (But you have to take the second test within 3 weeks of the first one).
If can't pay for multiple tests, what should you do?
We recommend using Arno 🙂
With Arno, you can practice every question type on the DET. For most question types, we provide you with an instant and precise estimated score, including for speaking questions!
We also provide you with grammar and vocabulary feedback.
Arno even gives you a rewritten, high-scoring version of your response!
To get started, just click the link below!
