Do Universities Have a Preference for English Tests?

Many students still believe that IELTS or TOEFL are the “gold standards” and that newer tests like the Duolingo English Test (DET) aren’t taken seriously by universities.

But is that assumption true? 

Do universities have a preference for English tests?

Let’s find out with LUME! 

Key Takeaways

• Universities do not favor one English test over another; what matters most is your score meeting their requirements.
• Accessibility and affordability make the Duolingo English Test (DET) especially valuable for students in underrepresented regions, helping schools build diverse student bodies.
• The Duolingo English Test (DET) is rapidly gaining global acceptance, with top universities in the U.S., U.K., and Canada adding it to their admission lists. 

Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test (DET) And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)

Do Universities Have a Preference for English Tests?

Despite what many students worry about, universities generally do not favor one English test over another.

As long as the test has been vetted and approved by the institution, all are treated equally.

The Score Is More Important Than The Test

When admissions officers review applications, they focus on your English ability as demonstrated by your score, not the specific test you took.

Each institution sets minimum requirements that it believes are necessary for academic success.

So, it doesn’t matter whether you reach that level with the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET).

For example, let’s say a student earns a strong Duolingo English Test (DET) score that exceeds the university’s threshold.

He/she is often in a better position than someone who barely passes IELTS or TOEFL results.

Plus, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has undergone multiple validation studies showing that its scores correlate strongly with TOEFL and IELTS results. 

That means schools can trust that a certain Duolingo English Test (DET) score reflects the same level of proficiency as those legacy exams.

Diversity Is Important to School Recruitment

Higher education institutions want to attract talented students from every corner of the world.

It isn’t just for those who live in big cities with access to traditional test centers.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is affordable and taken entirely online.

So, it eliminates many of the barriers that prevent students from underrepresented regions from applying.

A student in a rural area may struggle to travel to a test center for IELTS or TOEFL.

But they can take the Duolingo English Test (DET) at home instead, with just a computer and an internet connection.

This accessibility aligns perfectly with universities’ missions to recruit widely and foster cultural diversity on campus.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) Is Becoming More Popular

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has rapidly gained ground in recent years.

Top universities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have already added it to their list of accepted tests.

Also, more institutions are following each admission cycle.

This momentum comes from two main factors: strong reliability and student demand.

Schools that once hesitated have now completed their internal reviews and found that Duolingo English Test (DET) scores are trustworthy.

At the same time, applicants increasingly choose the Duolingo English Test (DET) for its speed, convenience, and lower cost, prompting universities to adapt.

How Do Universities Decide Whose English Needs To Be Tested for Admission?

Universities don’t test everyone’s English.

Instead, they divide applicants into two groups:

Those who are assumed to have “inherent English” and those who must prove their ability through a test.

Inherent English is granted to applicants who fit certain criteria.

For example, Australian universities often waive the requirement if you are from an “English-speaking background.”

Proving this usually requires both citizenship documents (like a passport or birth certificate) and evidence of education, work, or residency in English.

Tested English, by contrast, applies to those who don’t meet these criteria.

They are required to sit standardized language exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or DET.

Duolingo English Test (DET) to IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CEFR Conversion

Duolingo English Test (DET)	IELTS	PTE	TOEFL iBT	CEFR
160	8.5 – 9.0	90	120	C2
155	8.0	89	119	C2
150	8.0	83 – 85	117 – 118	C1
145	7.5	83 – 85	113 – 116	C1
140	7.5	78 – 84	109 – 112	C1
135	7.0	78 – 84	104 – 108	C1
130	7.0	73 – 77	98 – 103	C1
125	6.5	73 – 77	93 – 97	B2
120	6.5	64 – 72	87 – 92	B2
115	6.0	64 – 72	82 – 86	B2
110	6.0	58 – 63	76 – 81	B2
105	6.0	58 – 63	70 – 75	B2
100	5.5	50 – 57	65 – 69	B2
95	5.5	50 – 57	59 – 64	B1/B2
90	5.0	42 – 49	53 – 58	B1
85	5.0	42 – 49	47 – 52	B1
80	5.0	35 – 41	41 – 46	B1
75	4.5	35 – 41	35 – 40	B1
70	4.5	31 – 34	30 – 34	A2/B1
65	4.5	31 – 34	24 – 29	A2
10 – 60	4.0	0 – 30	0 – 23	A1 – A2

Conclusion

So, do universities have a preference for English tests?

At the end of the day, no single test holds the crown in university admissions.

What matters is whether your score proves you can succeed in an academic environment.

So don’t get stuck on the “which test” debate; just focus on preparing well and hitting the scorer you need!

Related practice resources

• Duolingo English Test Vocabulary List: 500+ Essential Words
• Duolingo English Test (DET) Writing Sample Questions
• Duolingo English Test Cheat Sheet: Tips, Templates, Strategy

Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test (DET) And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)