Duolingo English Test gives students the freedom to take the test on their terms

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Many English-speaking organisations around the world, whether companies or higher education institutions, require prospective employees or students to take English-language proficiency tests.  Over the past decade, and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, students have increasingly turned to Duolingo’s internet-based standardised test. Today, more than 5,000 institutions around the world accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) in lieu of more traditional testing options

The flexibility of the DET makes it easier for learners to prepare for and take their proficiency test, says Quangg Hoàng, a second-year student at Thang Long University in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“Unlike other language exams that require me to schedule a test date and go to a testing centre, I could take the test online from the comfort of my own home at any time that suited my schedule,” Quangg says.

Quangg, who took the test in February this year, believes that the test will continue to grow in popularity. “It is convenient to sign up for, affordable, reliable and easy to use,” he says. “It is also fair and accurate because it is aligned with the standards used by other English proficiency tests.”

Additionally, it allows students a great deal of flexibility. “Students can take the test at their own pace and in their own time, which can be helpful for those who have busy schedules or who need to travel for work or study.”

Something that sets the test apart from others is its adaptive nature. The difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the test taker’s performance. As a result, the questions are tailored to the test taker’s ability and provide a personalised assessment of their English proficiency.

“The test's adaptive algorithm continuously calibrates the difficulty, providing a precise measurement of abilities in real-time,” says Quangg. This minimises test anxiety, he says, and ensures “a comfortable experience, allowing candidates to demonstrate their true language abilities”.

This accuracy “reflects the English skills needed for effective communication in work and study environments, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking”, he says. “This is compatible with the requirement to use English in real-life situations, enabling students to assess accurately their level of English use in daily life, which is necessary for academic success and professional work.”

Quanng, who is currently approaching potential employers to intern at their companies, has included his DET result on his CV. “The accuracy of the DET helps me to be more confident in my English abilities,” he says.

Having this accreditation “will make me a more attractive candidate in the eyes of employers”, Quanng concludes. “I think the Duolingo English Test will continue to gain popularity with universities and employers in the coming years.”

Find out more about the Duolingo English Test.