The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency test that fulfills admissions requirements for international applicants at many universities in the United States and Canada. Unlike the TOEFL and IELTS, the Duolingo English Test is taken on demand, from your computer.

The Duolingo English Test measures all English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Any way that you normally learn and practice these English language skills helps you prepare for the test. This might include watching movies in English, speaking with your friends, reading newspapers and magazines, and practicing writing. In addition, there are a lot of great free resources online.

If you are applying to a university in the United States or Canada, you will likely be required to take a test that assesses your English ability. You may be familiar with common tests of English skill, like the TOEFL and IELTS. The Duolingo English Test is a new option, and this blog post explains what it is, why it is different, and how you can try it out for free.

The Duolingo English Test presents an entirely different approach to testing because you can take it at home from your own computer. There are no test centers and no appointments. The cost is $49 USD and you can take the test online, anytime. It takes under an hour, and you receive results within two days. You can then send your results to an unlimited number of schools at no extra charge.

In addition, the Duolingo English Test includes both a video interview—yes, you will be on camera when you take the test—and a writing sample that are shared with universities. During the test, a proctor will ask you to respond to questions in English. The video provides a more complete picture of an applicant’s English ability than does a score alone. You may also appreciate knowing that the Duolingo English Test is as secure and reliable as the other tests, because it uses cutting-edge data forensic and biometric technologies. And there is a real person who proctors the test remotely.

For many students, the process of taking English proficiency tests can be challenging. Traditionally, you need to schedule tests weeks or months in advance, you may need to travel long distances to a test center, the test experience itself can be stressful, and then you need to wait weeks to receive your results. In the end, these tests can cost hundreds of dollars and take many weeks.

At Duolingo, our mission is to use technology to make education accessible to everyone. With modern technology, there is no reason why it should be so difficult and expensive to certify your English skills. That is one of the reasons why Duolingo created an innovative testing experience—one that is convenient, affordable, and fast.

Because you take the Duolingo English Test online from your computer, you will want to make sure you have everything you need to avoid encountering any difficulties when you take the test. You must have:

• A government-issued photo ID
• A quiet, well-lit room
• About one hour of uninterrupted time
• A computer equipped with a front-facing camera
• An internet connection and compatible browser
• Understand the Rules

After you complete the test, a proctor will review your test video to ensure that you followed the rules. The rules include not wearing earphones, not interacting with anyone else, not using your phone or other devices, and not looking offscreen. It is important to follow these rules during the test, or you will need to take it again. The test rules are outlined in the Duolingo FAQs, and are included in the instructions at the beginning of the exam.