Duolingo English Test For US Visas: Is It Accepted?
We’ve all been there!
You have spent months preparing for your U.S. student visa, only to find out that the English test everyone talks about costs a fortune and takes forever to book.
Here’s the good news: There’s a cheaper, faster option—the Duolingo English Test for a US visa.
Let LUME help you ease the burden!
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Yes, they do.
There is no official requirement to take a specific English test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, when applying for a U.S. student visa.
What matters is that you can show your English language proficiency, and the Duolingo English Test is absolutely one way to do that.
Here’s how it works.
You must be accepted into a U.S. institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before applying for your visa.
Most of these schools will ask for proof of English proficiency, and many of them do accept Duolingo scores.
Just make sure to check your chosen university’s admission requirements to confirm.
The Duolingo English Test is also accepted in popular study destinations outside the U.S., such as Canada, Ireland, and over 1,000 universities in the U.K.
At just $59, Duolingo is significantly more affordable than other English tests, such as the IELTS or TOEFL, which can cost more than $200.
Hence, Duolingo is a smart and accessible choice for students who want to manage their budgets without sacrificing quality.
The biggest advantage of Duolingo is how easy it is to use.
You don’t need to travel to a test center or wait weeks for a test date.
You can take it anytime, from anywhere: all you need is a computer, an internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone.
Duolingo fits around your schedule, not the other way around.
Waiting for test results can be stressful when application deadlines are approaching.
Duolingo takes the pressure off and delivers your results within 48 hours.
That’s much faster than most traditional tests, which can take over a week.
With quick results, you can move forward with university applications, scholarships, and visa steps without unnecessary delays.
Duolingo is no longer a “new” option.
It’s widely accepted and trusted by thousands of universities, including many top institutions in the United States.
Schools like NYU, Columbia, and Yale’s Graduate School now recognize the Duolingo English Test as valid proof of language proficiency.
That means with one test, you’ll be covered at a wide range of schools across the U.S.
The U.S. government doesn’t set a specific score requirement, but the university you are applying to does.
For student visas, most universities require scores between 100 and 150, depending on the school’s competitiveness.
If you’re aiming for a top university, you’ll likely need a score of 120 or higher.
So, before you apply, check your chosen school’s admission page to see their exact score requirements.
The Duolingo test is adaptive, which means the questions get easier or harder based on how you answer.
It also includes a variety of question types, such as reading sentences aloud, describing images, or typing what you hear and responding to speaking prompts.
You should familiarize yourself with this format in advance to feel more confident and less overwhelmed on test day.
Consistency beats cramming.
Practicing every day (even if it’s just for 30 minutes) helps you stay sharp and builds real progress over time.
It also gives you time to identify your weak areas and improve them gradually.
Many students make the mistake of focusing only on what they’re good at, but the test requires a balance among all four skills.
To improve across all areas, try reading articles and summarizing them in your own words (reading + writing).
Or listen to short podcasts or videos and explain them out loud (listening + speaking).
You can also record yourself answering questions and then review the recording.
Mock tests prepared by LUME are one of the most powerful ways to get ready.
They give you a clear picture of where you stand and what taking the actual tests will feel like.
When you stimulate the real experience, from the timing to the question types to sitting in a quiet room, you train your brain to manage stress.
The test doesn’t just check whether you know grammar rules; it tests your ability to use English naturally and effectively.
To do this, surround yourself with English daily.
You can read news articles, watch shows with English subtitles, listen to music or podcasts, and try speaking or writing in English every day.
Studying the Duolingo English Test for a US visa is becoming more accepted.
If you are ready to boost your score, LUME is here to help with AI-personalized learning and realistic mock tests.
We have got your back!
Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ THOUSANDS of PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
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