National, 17 October 2024: For Indian students aspiring to study abroad, access to higher education became easier. The Duolingo English Test (DET), the global pioneer in digital English proficiency testing for international students, is now accepted by over 5,500 universities across over 100 countries, doubling the acceptance number in 4 years from 2020. This milestone means that students—particularly those in India—can now apply to a broader range of top global universities for emerging programmes such as Fintech and Blockchain Technology, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Digital Media and User Experience Design, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, as well as options such as Psychology, Art and Design and more, with the convenience of an affordable, online English proficiency test that breaks down traditional barriers to studying internationally.
Breaking Barriers, Expanding Opportunities
For many Indian students, studying abroad is a dream with its share of challenges—including proving English proficiency. Traditional language tests are often expensive and difficult to access, especially for students in remote areas. The DET changes this narrative by offering a convenient, cost-effective solution of around INR 5000 that can be taken online, anytime, from anywhere, with results available in just 48 hours. Students can also apply to an unlimited number of universities without additional cost, making the DET more valuable in easing the application process. This reduces the financial burden on students, allowing them to target multiple top universities, which is often crucial when applying to competitive international programmes.
Pragya, who got accepted by NYU and Bryn Mawr University, says, “A lot of US universities require you to demonstrate your English proficiency through a recognised test. Because it was recognised at almost every university that I applied to, I took the DET. I preferred it because it was a much more affordable option. Not to mention its short duration. I mean, I was done in less than an hour. I had the comfort of taking the test from my home. I took two practice tests in the day, and by the evening, I felt prepared to do the actual test. Within two days, I had my results.”
Enhancing Access to Leading Programmes
The Duolingo English Test opens doors for Indian students to study in the U.S., with over 2,70,000 Indian students already enrolled in 2024—making up more than a quarter of all international students there. Accepted by more than 3,800 institutions, including 967 of the top 100 U.S. universities like Columbia, Yale, and Duke, the DET is widely recognized for undergraduate admissions with graduate acceptance growing every day. Top schools such as Caltech, Harvard Business School, Notre Dame, University of Texas, University of Pennsylvania, University of Houston, George Mason University, Pacific University and Purdue accept the DET scores for a variety of courses, from engineering to business, making studying in the U.S. more accessible across many fields.
Angus Bowers, Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering, “We strongly prefer the DET for admissions. We find it tests actual language skills and not test-taking skills. It also makes testing fairer for all: since we started accepting the DET we’ve been able to reach the many talented students who can’t afford or don’t have access to other tests.”
Tara Kapur, India Marketing Head, Duolingo English Test, says “India is a priority market for us, and we are deeply committed to supporting the study abroad aspirations of Indian students. With its affordable, accessible, and fast results, the DET is perfectly designed to meet their needs. It empowers students from all parts of the country to demonstrate their English proficiency, opening doors to over 5,500 top global institutions.”
Advanced Technology and Test Integrity
The DET’s computer-adaptive format enhances accessibility and security for students, providing a personalised test experience tailored to each individual’s language proficiency level. As students progress through the test, questions adjust in real-time based on their responses, creating a more accurate and fair evaluation of their skills. This format also strengthens the security of the exam by generating unique test experiences for each student, minimising the risk of shared or repeated questions. This ensures that every test truly reflects a student’s abilities, giving them confidence in their scores and the knowledge that they are well-prepared for the challenges of studying abroad.