Universities Accepting Duolingo in the USA: Your 2026 Guide

For decades, TOEFL and IELTS were the only keys to unlocking a US university education. But in 2026, a new player has taken over: The Duolingo English Test (DET).

As a teacher, I’m seeing more students choose the DET because it’s cheaper ($59 vs $250+), faster (results in 48 hours), and can be taken from home in Morocco or anywhere else.

Why US Universities Love the DET?

Top-tier institutions like Princeton, Yale, and Stanford now accept Duolingo scores. Why? Because the test uses advanced AI to accurately measure real-world English proficiency, not just test-taking skills.

Top US Universities & Their DET Requirements

Here is a breakdown of what some top schools are looking for in 2026:

University	Recommended DET Score
Princeton University	120+
Columbia University	125+
University of Pennsylvania	120+
New York University (NYU)	125+
University of Florida	110+

3 Tips to Ace the Duolingo English Test

1 Practice the "Adaptive" Nature: The test gets harder as you answer correctly. Don't panic if the questions become challenging—it means you are doing well!

2 Focus on Production: Unlike other tests, Duolingo heavily weights your ability to write and speak spontaneously.

3 Check Your Tech: Since it's a home test, ensure your internet and webcam are perfect. A technical glitch can invalidate your score.

Is it right for you? If you want a stress-free, modern testing experience that is accepted by over 6,500 programs, the DET is your best bet. For a comparison with other tests, check my post on IELTS vs TOEFL.

Study in USA, Duolingo English Test, Exam Prep

Comments

Professional Email Etiquette: 10 Rules for 2026

In 2026, the way we communicate at work is faster than ever, but professional etiquette still matters. An email is often the first impression you make on a client or a hiring manager. If it’s messy or too casual, you lose credibility. Here are the 10 essential rules for professional email etiquette today. 1. Use a Clear Subject Line Your subject line should tell the reader exactly what is inside. • Bad: "Hi" or "Question" • Good: "Meeting Request: Project X Update" or "Inquiry regarding IELTS Coaching" 2. Use a Professional Salutation Even if you know the person, start with a professional greeting. • Formal: "Dear Mr. Smith," • Neutral: "Hi [Name]," • Avoid: "Hey guys" or "Yo" in a first interaction. ...

How to Describe Charts in IELTS Writing Task 1 (Vocabulary and Templates)

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you have 20 minutes to describe a chart, graph, or table. Most students struggle not because they don't understand the data, but because they lack the specific vocabulary to describe trends accurately. After 17 years of teaching, I’ve distilled the "must-have" vocabulary and the structure that consistently earns Band 7+. The 3-Part Structure for Task 1: 1 Introduction (1 sentence): Paraphrase the prompt. If the prompt says "The graph shows the number of people visiting Morocco," your introduction should say "The line graph illustrates the volume of tourists who traveled to Morocco between [Year] and [Year]." 2 Overview (2 sentences): This is the most important part. Identify the two most obvious trends. Do not use numbers here. Example: "Overall, the number of visitors increased significantly over the period, while the amount spent per visitor saw a sl...

The 7 Most Common Grammar Mistakes Arabic Speakers Make in English (and How to Fix Them)

If you speak Arabic and struggle with English, some of your mistakes aren't random — they're predictable. In seventeen years of teaching Arabic-speaking students, I've seen the same seven errors appear again and again, because they come from structural differences between the two languages. The good news: once you know what's coming, you can fix each one deliberately. 1. Dropping the verb "to be." Arabic allows "I happy" and "She at school" because the verb to be is often implied. English never does. Before any adjective or prepositional phrase, check for is/am/are/was/were. Fix: read your sentence aloud — if something feels "floating" without a verb, add it. 2. "I am agree" instead of "I agree." In Arabic, a state ("I am in agreement") is natural. In English, agree, disagree, understand, and know are verbs — no "am" allowed. Fix: memorize this list of state verbs that never ...

Verb up

Search This Blog