Duolingo English Test score chart
The DET is scored 10 to 160 in five-point steps, plus four subscores. Here is what each band is worth against IELTS, TOEFL and CEFR — and what Canadian institutions actually ask for.
| DET | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | CEFR | What it opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145–160 | 8.0+ | 115+ | C2 | Accepted virtually everywhere |
| 130–140 | 7.5+ | 105+ | C1 | C1 threshold; competitive programmes |
| 120–125 | 7.0–7.5 | 100+ | B2+ | Common bar at top universities |
| 105–115 | 6.5 | 85–95 | B2 | Typical college / undergrad entry |
| 95–100 | 6.0 | 80–84 | B2− | Minimum at many institutions |
| 75–90 | 5.0–5.5 | 60–79 | B1 | Usually below admission bars |
Duolingo does not publish an official IELTS conversion, so these bands are the third-party consensus and sources vary by around half an IELTS band. Universities set their own thresholds per programme — always confirm with the admissions office.
Studying in Canada? Read this first
The Duolingo English Test is accepted by Canadian universities and colleges for admission. It is not accepted by IRCC for permanent residence or Express Entry — for that you need CELPIP, IELTS or PTE Core in English, or TEF/TCF in French. Students already in Canada often sit the DET for a programme offer and then take CELPIP later for PR. They are two different jobs.
Questions
What is a good Duolingo English Test score?
120 is the practical benchmark — it is the score most top-ranked universities ask for and is roughly IELTS 7.0 to 7.5. Colleges and many undergraduate programmes accept 105 to 115. Below 100 your options narrow quickly. Always check the specific institution, because thresholds vary by programme, not just by university.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for Canada PR?
No. IRCC accepts IELTS, CELPIP and PTE Core for English, and TEF or TCF for French. The Duolingo English Test is not on that list. It is widely accepted by Canadian universities and colleges for admission, which is a different thing — if your goal is permanent residence or Express Entry you need CELPIP, IELTS or PTE Core.
How is the Duolingo English Test scored?
One overall score from 10 to 160 in five-point increments, plus four subscores — Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production. The test is adaptive, so questions get harder or easier as you answer, and it takes about an hour at home instead of a test centre.
Why do universities accept a one-hour at-home test?
Cost and speed. It is far cheaper than IELTS or TOEFL, needs no test centre booking, and results arrive in about two days instead of two weeks. For students already inside Canada who need to start a programme soon, that turnaround is often the deciding factor.
Is the Duolingo English Test easier than IELTS?
It is shorter and cheaper, which is not the same as easier. It is adaptive, so it pushes you to your ceiling quickly, and the speaking and writing tasks are graded against the same underlying scale. What genuinely helps is that there is no interviewer and no test-centre pressure.
Knowing the number is the easy part. Take a free Duolingo English Test practice test and get an AI score per task, so you know which subscore is holding your overall down.