2a Proposal - Duolingo English Test - English Proficiency Addition - English Proficiency Addition

Aug 29, 2026

Addition to English Proficiency Policy Proposal recommends transitioning from a 2020–21 pilot to formally add the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an acceptable measure of English proficiency for undergraduate admissions at the University of Guelph. With approvals, DET would provide an alternative proof pathway for students. The proposal highlights DET’s online, on-demand, computer-adaptive delivery, accessibility, security controls, and faster results. It recommends a minimum overall DET score of 110, aligns it with existing IELTS and TOEFL/IELTS equivalencies, and includes monitoring plans for admitted students’ success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

English Proficiency Policy Addition Proposal

Background and recommendation

Test design and accessibility

Recognition and institutional acceptance

Comparative scoring and minimum requirements

Monitoring and implementation plan

Introduction to the Duolingo English Test

Test measurement method and reporting timeline

Rationale for accepting Duolingo English tests

Addition to English Proficiency Policy Proposal Leanne Stillman and Astrid Morphet-May 17, 2021 The International Recruitment and Admissions unit, member of the Undergraduate Admission Services in the Office of Registrarial Services, with approval and support from the University of Guelph-Humber, recommend moving from a 2020-21 pilot to the formal addition of the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an acceptable measure of English Proficiency. With your support and approval by BUGS and the Senate, Duolingo English Test would offer an alternative testing option to students who require proof of English Proficiency as part of their admission process. The University of Guelph currently accepts IELTS, CAEL, TOEFL, PTE, ELCP and Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. The Duolingo English Test has been designed for maximum accessibility; it is delivered via the internet without a testing center, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is designed to be efficient. It takes less than one hour to complete the entire process of taking the test (i.e., onboarding, test administration, uploading) . It is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), and it uses item types that provide maximal information about English language proficiency. It is designed to be user friendly-the onboarding, user interface, and item formats are easy to interact with. Duolingo English Tests are recognized by universities for admission purposes and currently a total of 1644 institutions and organizations worldwide accept these tests. In Canada there are 169 institutions such as: Bishop’s University, Brock University, Carleton University, Concordia University, McGill University, McMaster University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, Western University, York University, and many more. See Appendix 1 of the proposal for a more detailed list of institutions in Canada. The Duolingo English Test has a substantially greater reach than the more traditional test centers. By delivering assessments on-demand, 24 hours a day, to an estimated 2 billion internet-connected devices anywhere in the world for USD $49, the Duolingo English Test has the capability of becoming the most accessible, valid and secure language assessment platform in the world. The current English requirement for IELTS for direct admission to the University of Guelph is an overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6. Using the comparison table on page 10 which demonstrates how each test compares to the other, it is recommended that the University accept the Duolingo English Test with a minimum overall score of 110. Over the past year, the Integrated Admission Pathway (IAP), has required their students submit an overall score of 90. Based on the chart provided by Duolingo English Test, 90 is equivalent to a score in the range of 62-67 on the TOEFL exam, and a score of 5.5 on the IELTS exam. The information below provides an introduction to the Duolingo English Test, recommendations for score requirements for undergraduate admissions, a partial list of Canadian institutions currently accepting these tests and their requirements (Appendix 1) and the Duolingo English Test proposal to the Board of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Guelph. We kindly ask you to review this proposal and connect with Astrid Morphet – Assistant Manager, International Admissions to further discuss any concerns or questions that you might have. Note: Information included in this proposal references back to the contents found on the Duolingo English Test website, and the individual institution websites. Recommendation: To add the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an acceptable proof of English Proficiency for undergraduate admission. Recommendation: To require an overall score of 110 on Duolingo tests for proof of English proficiency at the undergraduate level. Students scoring 110 and above during the pilot pe

FAQs

What change does the proposal recommend to the English proficiency policy?

The proposal recommends moving from a 2020–21 pilot to the formal addition of the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an acceptable measure of English proficiency for undergraduate admissions.

How does the Duolingo English Test work and what makes it accessible?

DET is delivered via the internet without a testing center and is available 24/7. It is a computer-adaptive test with onboarding, item formats, and interface designed to be user friendly.

What minimum DET score does the proposal recommend for undergraduate admissions?

The proposal recommends a minimum overall score of 110 for DET as proof of English proficiency at the undergraduate level.

Aug 29, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver Hayes