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Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test: what it opens, and what it will not

It is cheaper, shorter and can be taken at home, and hundreds of universities accept it for admission. It is not on the list of tests Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada accepts for Express Entry, so it cannot be used to claim a CLB level for permanent residence.

Book a 15-minute video callWhat it is accepted for
  • Straight answer on what it counts for
  • Adaptive format practised the way it is scored
  • Writing and speaking marked by hand
Short answer

The Duolingo English Test is accepted by many universities for admission and is a reasonable choice if that is your goal. It is not accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, so it cannot support a permanent-residence application.

What it is genuinely good for

  • University and college admission, where hundreds of institutions accept it. Each sets its own minimum score, so check your programme rather than a general figure.
  • A study permit application, indirectly: the permit rests on an offer of admission, and the test can help you get one.
  • Speed and cost. About an hour, taken at home, with results usually inside a couple of days.
  • It is not accepted for Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

If permanent residence is your goal, the three tests that do count are on our English test for Canada page.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for Canadian PR?

No. IRCC lists CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core as the English tests accepted for Express Entry. The Duolingo English Test is not among them, so a Duolingo result cannot be converted to a CLB level for a permanent-residence application.

Is it accepted for a Canadian study permit?

Many Canadian institutions accept it for admission, and an offer of admission is what a study permit application is built on. Acceptance is decided by each institution rather than centrally, so confirm with the specific programme you are applying to before you book.

What is a good Duolingo English Test score?

The scale runs from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps. What counts as good depends entirely on the institution you are applying to, since each publishes its own minimum. Check the requirement first and work backwards from it, rather than aiming at a number you read somewhere.

Why do people take it anyway?

It costs less than the alternatives, takes about an hour, is taken at home on your own computer, and results usually arrive within a couple of days. For a university application on a deadline that combination is hard to beat. For permanent residence it is beside the point, because the result is not accepted.
Next step

Find out which test fits, before you pay for one.

A 15-minute video call to check which test your application actually accepts, where your level sits today, and whether your deadline is realistic. No sales pitch.

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