Is Duolingo accepted as proof of English?

Yes, the Duolingo English Test (DET) is widely accepted as proof of English proficiency by thousands of universities and institutions globally for admissions, including many top-tier schools, but acceptance varies, so you must check the specific requirements of the program you're applying to. It's often an alternative to traditional tests like TOEFL or IELTS, but some places may still need additional proof, and visa requirements (like for the UK) can differ.

Is Duolingo English certificate valid?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is valid for two years from the test date and is accepted by over 6,000 programs across 110+ countries. In 2025, 95% of U.S. News Top 100 universities, 100% of Irish universities, and 90% of Canada's top institutions recognize DET scores.

Is Duolingo really B2?

Yes, major Duolingo courses (like Spanish, French, German) aim for B2 level, covering the vocabulary and grammar needed for upper-intermediate skills, but achieving a true B2 in real-world fluency requires supplementing the app with varied practice, especially speaking and complex comprehension, as the app primarily builds reading/listening foundations and might not fully prepare for spontaneous, detailed B2 communication.
 

Is Duolingo English Test taken seriously?

Myth 1: Hardly any universities accept the Duolingo English Test. That belief is outdated. Currently, more than 6,000 academic programs worldwide recognize the Duolingo English Test (DET), including most universities in both the U.S and Ireland.

Do universities accept Duolingo English tests?

The DET is now recognised by thousands of top universities around the world, and it's often sufficient for visa applications. While some countries still have nuanced visa policies, the DET remains a flexible and accessible option for most international students in 2025. Find out more about the Duolingo English Test.

DET Speaking: How to Answer Any Topic Without Panic

Is it hard to get 125 in Duolingo?

It's moderately challenging but achievable to get 125 on the Duolingo English Test, as it's a competitive score (75th percentile) above average (around 110), requiring strong English skills, especially in writing and speaking, but manageable with focused practice on structure, vocabulary, and specific test strategies like using the PPF method for speaking or simple structures for photo descriptions. 

Is 70 a good Duolingo score?

Generally, scores above 120 are considered strong and indicative of advanced English proficiency. Scores between 90 and 119 are considered passing and typically sufficient for academic admissions, while scores below 90 may require additional language support or preparation.

Why do people say "avoid Duolingo"?

Many people think Duolingo works because it uses gamification to make language learning “fun.” But this can be a bit misleading. Instead of focusing on learning a new language, you end up procrastinating towards your goals with a platform that only spins your wheels.

Can I use ChatGPT in Duolingo English Test?

AI Writing Tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Wordtune, etc.)

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is designed to assess your language proficiency, not AI's writing quality. Thus, these AI tools are unauthorised assistance that you can't have during the test. The Duolingo app can detect this violation and invalidate your result.

Can you reach C1 with Duolingo?

Advanced English: C1 and C2 Levels

While Duolingo can give you a strong foundation, reaching these advanced levels usually needs extra resources. Think of Duolingo as your training wheels. You'll need to start reading books, watching movies, and having deep conversations to fully reach these levels.

Why are people canceling Duolingo?

As it leans deeper into AI, the soul of the platform—the human connection behind language—is getting lost. Language learning isn't just about memorizing words. It's about connecting with people. And until Duolingo can get back to that core, many users will keep saying: “No thanks, Duo and I am one of them.

What is top 1% on Duolingo?

Being in the top 1% on Duolingo means being among the highest XP earners in your league, typically qualifying for the elite Diamond League and potentially the competitive Diamond Tournament, requiring immense dedication and consistently earning thousands of XP weekly to stay ahead of other serious learners in a global pool of millions of users.
 

Is B2 almost fluent?

Perhaps the best general reference point is the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which divides proficiency into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. In my view, B2 is the benchmark level for fluency. At a B2 level, you can understand and express yourself in a wide variety of contexts and subjects.

What is one criticism of Duolingo?

A major criticism of Duolingo is that its gamified, bite-sized lessons offer limited depth, leading to unnatural sentences, a lack of grammatical explanation, and insufficient context, making it difficult for users to achieve true conversational fluency, especially beyond beginner stages, as it often prioritizes rote repetition over deep understanding. 

Does Harvard accept Duolingo?

English language proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo cannot be used to meet the standardized testing requirement, though students are welcome to submit them for review as part of their application materials. Students may self report their standardized test scores.

Can I put Duolingo on my CV?

Can you put Duolingo on your resume? Yes, but with a caveat. If English is not your native language, you can list your Duolingo English Test (DET) or the Duolingo Language Certification to show that you have proficiency in English.

Can I use Grammarly in Duolingo English Test?

No. You cannot use Grammarly or any software that checks your grammar or spelling on the Duolingo English Test. In fact, you need to make sure that all programs are closed on your laptop or computer while you take test.

Is Duolingo harder than IELTS?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) isn't inherently "harder" or "easier" than IELTS; they assess similar skills but with different formats, though many find the DET less stressful due to its convenience (at-home, shorter) and adaptive nature, while IELTS offers a more traditional, in-depth evaluation with distinct sections and human examiners, making IELTS feel more challenging for some but offering broader acceptance for top-tier academic/visa needs. Your experience depends on your English strengths, test-taking style, and specific score requirements, as DET can feel easier due to format, while IELTS's structured, comprehensive tasks (especially writing) can be tougher. 

Is Duolingo B1 or B2?

Duolingo aims to take users through B1 (Intermediate) and into B2 (Upper-Intermediate) levels in its most popular courses, with sections 5 & 6 covering B1 and sections 7 & 8 reaching B2 content in updated versions, but reaching true B2 fluency often requires additional resources like conversation practice or media immersion beyond Duolingo's scope. The platform's effectiveness varies by language, but generally provides a strong foundation up to B1/B2, with Duolingo English Test (DET) scores correlating to CEFR levels, where B2 is around 100-129 points. 

Why is Duolingo not good anymore?

One of the worst thing about Duolingo is there is no clear grammar guide . This is why I think Duolingo is only supplement to learn languages, and never be the replacement of other classes.

Why is Duolingo pushing LGBTQ?

Duolingo includes LGBTQ+ characters and themes in its lessons because it's committed to reflecting the diversity of its global audience, normalizing LGBTQ+ identities as part of everyday life, and promoting inclusivity through representation, with characters like Bea and Oscar showing diverse orientations without sensationalism, though this has led to investigations in countries like Russia where such content is restricted.
 

What is the #1 best language learning app?

There's no single "#1" language app, as the best choice depends on your goals (e.g., casual learning vs. fluency), but Duolingo is the most popular for beginners due to its free access and gamified approach, while Babbel offers structured lessons for practical conversation, and AI-focused apps like Langua and Speak provide realistic dialogue practice. For immersion, LingQ is praised for advanced learners, while Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone are strong for foundational learning, and apps like iTalki connect you with native tutors for real practice. 

Can a Duolingo score get you a job?

Duolingo's score aligns with established standards like the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) but offers a more nuanced and current snapshot of language ability. This can improve recruitment decisions, especially for roles that require strong communication skills in multiple languages.

Who owns Duolingo?

Duolingo ownership is primarily held by its shareholders since its IPO. Co-founders Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker are the largest individual shareholders. As of February 29, 2024, Luis von Ahn held 3.63 million shares. Severin Hacker held 3.61 million shares as of February 29, 2024.