The Duolingo English Test is a great way to prove your English proficiency. This test is an essential step to getting into an English-speaking university.
But why choose Duolingo over the competitors? And how do you register for the test?
We’re here to explain it all, starting with why you should consider the Duolingo English Test.
Firstly, it’s much more affordable than most of the other tests out there, costing just INR 3,800.
Compare this to INR 15,500 for the IELTS test or INR 14,700 for the PTE test and it’s easy to see why people pick Duolingo.
But why is it so much cheaper?
It’s only taken online, so they don’t have any testing centres to pay for and they can pass that saving onto you. The test also needs fewer people involved because it is automated and uses artificial intelligence.
There are some downsides to it though. You can only use a Duolingo English Test to apply to universities, not for immigration.
For these, you would need to use the more expensive IELTS or PTE tests. And it’s important to check whether your institution accepts it before you book.
Table of Contents
- Duolingo English Test registration process
- Making your Duolingo English Test purchase
- Preparing for the Duolingo English Test
- Frequently Asked Questions
Duolingo English Test registration process
The first thing to remember about the Duolingo English test is that there are no testing centres and no exam dates. So you can take it anywhere you like at any time you like. This makes it really flexible and easy to register as you don’t need to make any travel plans or book time off.
Here is the Duolingo English Test registration process, which is nice and simple:
1. Go to the Duolingo English Test website - https://englishtest.duolingo.com/
2. Click Sign Up to create your account. You’ll need to give your age at this point. You can also Sign Up with Google to make it quicker.
3. Now you need to select what you are interested in, choosing from (you can only pick one):
- Undergraduate university admissions
- Graduate admissions (MBA, PhD, etc)
- Middle or high school admissions
- Applying for a job or promotion
- None of the above
4. They’ll then ask you how you heard about the Duolingo English Test with up to three options to choose from.
5. After this, you’ll have signed up and can choose to take the practice test, which takes 15 minutes and can be taken as often as you want.
6. You can also choose to skip this and go straight to purchasing your test. You only have 21 days from this point to take the test, so make sure you will be able to do this, otherwise, you’ll need to purchase it again.
7. After you’ve paid you need to take a Pre-Test Survey before you’re able to take the test. This helps Duolingo to find out a little more about you.
8. You’re now registered and ready to take the test whenever suits you!
Making your Duolingo English Test purchase
When you’re ready to pay for your test, the process is quite simple. Duolingo accepts all major credit cards and PayPal and charges $49, which comes to around INR 4,000.
The account you use to buy the test is the one that needs to take the test. It’s not possible to buy a test for someone else unless you use their own account to do so.
You can buy Duolingo English Test bundles where you can get two tests at the same time for a discount price. This could be useful if you want to have two attempts at it.
Don’t forget you can take as many practice tests as you want before taking the actual test. So you might only need one attempt to get the score you need.
Duolingo limits how many tests you can buy to three tests in a 30-day period. A bundle would count as two of those three tests even though you bought them as a package. For a bundle, you have 21 days to take your first test and then 21 days from that date to take the second test.
If you fail to take your test within the 21-day period, Duolingo will cancel it without a refund. The only circumstances where you might get a refund would be if there was a technical problem with your test or results. If this happens you’d need to contact Duolingo’s support team for help.
Also Read: Duolingo English Test and Results
Preparing for the Duolingo English Test
Once you have registered and paid for your test, it’s up to you to prepare for it. This includes thinking about when you will take it, so you need to have the time available when you won’t be disturbed or distracted. You’ll also need a test environment that is comfortable and quiet to help you focus.
Another part of preparing is to make sure you’ve got everything you need to take the test. This includes a computer with a camera, microphone, speakers and a reliable internet connection. Make sure your computer will be either plugged-in or have enough charge for the hour-long test. It’s important to note that you can’t wear headphones to take the test as your ears need to be clearly visible.
When you start the test you will be asked for your Government-issued ID. Make sure it hasn’t expired. You won’t be able to write anything during the test, so put away any pens and papers on your desk. The same goes for any mobile devices.
The only other preparation you need at this point is to ensure you have had a good night’s sleep beforehand. The advantage of the Duolingo English Test is that you can take it at whatever time of day you like. And of course, go to the bathroom before you press start!
Now you have completed your Duolingo English Test registration and preparation and are ready to take it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When and where can you take the Duolingo English Test?
Because the test is entirely completed online, you can take it anywhere. Unlike other tests, there are no testing centres that you need to attend. Make sure it is somewhere that you can concentrate and hear the questions. You also need to be able to be hear clearly when you are completing the speaking part of the test. So a public place is not advisable.
2. What is the best way to practice for the Duolingo English Test?
The official practice test on the Duolingo English Test website is an excellent way to prepare for the real test. It will ask you the same types of questions to help you get used to answering them and feel more confident about what will happen in the test itself. It is a good idea to read, write, speak and listen to as much English as possible in the build-up to taking the test. This can be as simple as watching or listening to English language movies or music. You could also write English shopping lists or read news or blogs in English.
