The Duolingo English Test works differently from the TOEFL or IELTS: you take it on your own computer, and results are usually ready within two days. That convenience is part of why so many schools now accept it, but it still leaves the same question every test-taker has: what counts as a good score? Most competitive four-year schools look for something in the 105 to 120 range, though your actual target depends on where you are applying.
The Duolingo English Test score range runs from 10 to 160, reported in increments of 5. Your overall score is the average of four standard subscores: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. You also receive four additional subscores, Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production, that each combine two of the standard skills to show how you use English in more realistic situations.
So the Duolingo English Test max score, the Duolingo English Test highest score, is 160. Very few test-takers reach that top number, and most schools set their requirements well below it. Because your overall score is an average, a lower subscore in one area can be balanced by a stronger score in another, though schools increasingly look at individual subscores too, not just the overall number.
There is no single number that works for every school, but here is a general guide by goal, using the Duolingo English Test scores you will see listed on admissions pages:
A published minimum score is usually the lowest score a school will accept, not the score you should aim for. Programs that receive a lot of international applications often expect a score higher than the published minimum.
A Duolingo English Test score is valid for two years from your test date. After that, it is no longer accepted for new applications, so if you do not plan to apply right away, keep this timeline in mind before you schedule your test.
Here is how Duolingo compares to TOEFL and IELTS:
For the full side-by-side breakdown, see our TOEFL vs IELTS vs Duolingo comparison.
Everyone lands here for a different reason. Maybe you already have a Duolingo English Test score and it’s not quite where your target school needs it, in which case our test prep program is built around the skills students tend to struggle with most. Maybe you’re based in Boston and working out your path toward a degree, and our college advising team can tell you precisely what score your program is looking for. Or maybe you’re only just learning about the test itself, and our full guide covers exactly how it works from start to finish.
Duolingo English Test. "GPN DET Scoring Guide." Duolingo English Test, englishtest-static.duolingo.com/media/resources/GPN DET Scoring Guide.pdf. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
Duolingo English Test. "How Long Are Duolingo English Test Results Valid?" Duolingo English Test Help Center, testcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12745089717517-How-long-are-Duolingo-English-Test-results-valid. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
Boston University Metropolitan College. "English Proficiency Test Scores." Boston University, www.bu.edu/met/faculty-staff/faculty-resources/academic-policies-procedures/toefl-scores/. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
University of Pennsylvania Office of Admissions. "What Is the Recommended Duolingo English Test Score for a Penn Applicant?" Ask Penn Admissions, ask.admissions.upenn.edu/support/solutions/articles/157000361212-what-is-the-recommended-duolingo-english-test-score-for-a-penn-applicant-. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
