Virtual language assessments facilitate diverse student pathways into higher education

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As technology continues to reshape learning, higher education institutions are increasingly accepting virtual language assessments in their application processes. Virtual language assessments are popular among students because they integrate technology and flexibility into standardised language proficiency tests, which have traditionally been conducted in person. This approach allows education institutions to gauge applicants’ language aptitude and meet the evolving demands for remote and blended learning.

The convenience offered by remote testing is particularly valuable for students who pursue non-traditional routes into higher education. Shubham Upadhyay, who has a bachelor’s degree in automobile engineering from the University of Mumbai, aspires to pursue a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain analytics at a reputable university abroad. He currently works as a senior human resources operations associate at Amazon in India and hopes to leverage his work experience to pave the way for higher education and his future career.

For international students applying to anglophone universities, it is important to demonstrate proficiency in English during the application process. As a working professional with limited time to prepare for English proficiency exams, Upadhyay sought advice from friends, who recommended the Duolingo English Test (DET). Upadhyay chose to embark on this journey with no help from a language coach or mentor. “The main constraint was money. It is difficult to find the correct coaching for the correct price,” he says.

Balancing the responsibilities of a full-time job with intensive preparation was also a challenge. He appreciates the independence that the DET offers. The DET is known for its user-friendly interface and the wealth of preparatory materials available on the DET website and YouTube, which reduce the need for in-person language coaching.

Upadhyay explains that the experience of taking the DET was insightful. The DET’s standardised evaluation criteria provided him with a benchmark to analyse his skills. For Upadhyay, the test served as a compass pointing to his linguistic strengths and weaknesses. “It’ll give you an idea of the skills that you lack, and what you can polish to prepare you for the academic and professional life ahead,” he says.

According to Upadhyay, accessibility is the most impressive feature of the DET as it can help working professionals like him. “It is difficult to find the time, so having the flexibility helps you take 30 or 40 minutes out of the day and prepare for the test,” says Upadhyay. The ease of the DET’s interface and the minimal bandwidth required for connectivity allowed him to complete the test, even in environments with limited internet connectivity.

Virtual language assessments such as the DET have evolved to accommodate the digital advances in the education sector. Upadhyay hopes to see more higher education institutions embrace online English proficiency tests, which ease the admissions process for diverse groups of aspiring students. He recognises that English language proficiency is a journey that extends beyond a single assessment. “English is vast – you can’t confine it to a single test. The DET is a good standard to evaluate your skills.”

Find out more about the Duolingo English Test.