Duolingo English Test vs TOEFL: The Key Differences
Choosing an English proficiency test will open a gateway to your dream of studying abroad.
However, it can cause headaches as you don’t know which one to choose, especially between the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL.
LUME Test will provide a detailed comparison of these two tests to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s follow along for more details!
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Related:
| DET | TOEFL | |
| Acceptance | Though it’s a new exam, nearly 16.000 universities in the world recognize it. | Widely accepted in English-speaking countries, such as the US, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. |
| Time duration | Around 1 hour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Price | $70 for 1 test and $118 for a package of 2 tests. It’s the same price everywhere. | Ranges from $150 to $300, depending on the country. |
| Time to get the result | Within 2 days. If you pay $40 for Fast Result service, you’ll even get it within 12 hours. | 4 – 8 days |
| Convenience | More convenient since you can take DET online (stable internet and quiet environment are required). | Less convenient since you need to book test dates 2-3 months earlier to ensure availability. Plus, you need to go to a test center to proceed with the exam. |
Duolingo English Test consists of 19 question types (each may appear more than 1 time), contributing to your subscores and overall score.
Unlike TOEFL or IELTS, the score is not divided into listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Instead of that, DET gives scores based on integrated skills.
You’ll get subscores according to 4 modules: Literacy, Comprehension, Production, and Conversation.
Your overall score is an average of each subscore.
| Maximum score | |
| Overall | 160 |
| Literacy (reading and writing ability) | 160 |
| Comprehension (reading and listening ability) | 160 |
| Conversation (listening and speaking ability) | 160 |
| Production (writing and speaking ability) | 160 |
Meanwhile, the scoring system in TOEFL is quite straightforward.
The exam consists of 4 sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), and the maximum score you’ll get for each section is 30.
Your overall score is the sum of all 4 skills, meaning the highest result you can have in TOEFL is 120.
While trying to understand the structure of DET, it’s important to keep in mind the subscores and question types.
The (most obvious) question types assessing your listening are Listen and Type and Listen and Select.
They will affect your Comprehension and Conversation subscores.
On the other hand, TOEFL listening includes 2 parts, 5 passages, and 28 questions.
The topics are usually about academic conversations or lectures, which last 3-5 minutes.
The most interesting thing about the two tests is that note-taking skills are critical in TOEFL, while this skill is sometimes not allowed in DET listening.
It’s one of the reasons why the Duolingo test is much shorter.
In DET, you’ll need to use your reading skills in question types like Read and Select or Read and Complete.
The reading passages are usually short, and you can complete the tasks within the given time (3-5 minutes).
Meanwhile, the reading section in the TOEFL is considered the most challenging.
It contains 2 academic passages, each of about 700 words.
Candidates have 36 minutes to answer 10 questions about each passage.
Compared to DET, the test requires more intensive reading and critical thinking skills.
At the same time, it means that candidates will have a less stressful time with DET.
Your writing skills will be tested in DET question types such as Read, Then Write, or Write About the Photo.
There’s no academic writing in Duolingo.
You only need to write a writing sample of 50-200 words in 5 minutes.
In contrast, academic writing skills are required in the TOEFL.
Candidates need to complete 2 essays: one integrated and one writing a response.
In the first essay, you need to listen and read, and then write a report of 250 words on the content.
Meanwhile, the second essay is an academic discussion where you need to write a response of 120 words.
As mentioned above, DET is not separated into skill sections like TOEFL.
So, your speaking skills will be related to the Conversation and Production modules.
Four question types have a direct relation to your speaking skill: Read Aloud, Speak about the Photo, Read, then Speak, and Listen, then Speak.
Again, there’s no academic speaking.
However, it’s also not easy to speak about an image for nearly 90 seconds.
Plus, when you share your results with the institution, your speaking sample will be sent to them as well.
On the other hand, you need to pass 4 speaking questions in the TOEFL.
In particular, there’s one asking for your opinion and 3 integrated questions based on non-academic or academic spoken and written information.
The time to complete this section is around 4 minutes, including preparation time.
So, in short, is the Duolingo English Test easier than the TOEFL?
Though TOEFL uses more academic and high-level words, it does not mean everybody can pass the DET more easily.
One thing to keep in mind is that the DET is an adaptive test, meaning its difficulty level changes depending on your performance.
For example, if you answer previous questions well, the next one will be more difficult.
If you can’t provide the correct answer, you will be given a less complicated question.
TOEFL is older, and many schools have proved this to be valid and accepted.
However, the first criterion for choosing a test is to check which one your desired institute requires.
If they accept DET, go for it as it’s shorter, cheaper, and more convenient to take.
Also, you can consider other elements, such as the test structure and content, how familiar you are with each exam, and your budget, to make the final decision.
We hope you are clear about the difference between the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL.
Both have their pros and cons.
The former is shorter, faster to get results, and more cost-saving, while the latter is older, more widely accepted, and does not require internet and a laptop.
Choosing a suitable opinion depends on your desired institution’s requirements.
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