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DET scores submitted during the 2015 application process show strong correlation with IELTS scores (r=0.834). The study links DET results to IELTS outcomes and infers CEFR levels via a linking approach consistent with the DET scale design.",{"@graph":69,"@context":123},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":40,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/duolingo-english-test-and-east-africa-preliminary-linking-results-with-ielts-cefr/158052/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/duolingo-english-test-and-east-africa-preliminary-linking-results-with-ielts-cefr/158052.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Fahsai","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-23","2026-08-29",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",17,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What data source and setting are used to evaluate the Duolingo English Test validity?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"The analysis uses 2015 application data from Carnegie Mellon University’s satellite campus in Rwanda, including DET submissions and subsequent IELTS/TOEFL requirements for selected applicants.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"How strongly do DET scores correlate with IELTS scores in this study?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"The study reports a significant correlation between DET and IELTS scores, with r=0.834, based on scores submitted during the 2015 application process.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"How does the report connect Duolingo test results to CEFR levels?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"It links DET scores to IELTS outcomes and then infers CEFR levels, finding consistency with the design of the Duolingo English Test scale.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":125,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":127,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":129,"site_id":62},158052,1787994064,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":132},{"doc_id":129,"user_id":133,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":39,"category_name":40,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":105,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":19,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":130,"read_time":52,"preview_page_count":4},549768702563,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/8000c4aa63b76e948b?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1786536092046926083","The Duolingo English Test and East Africa: Preliminary linking results with IELTS & CEFR  \nDuolingo Research Report DRR-15-01 August 4, 2015 (4 pages) [englishtest.duolingo.com/resources](englishtest.duolingo.com/resources)  \nMichel Bézy􀀃 and Burr Settlesy  \nAbstract  \nWe study the validity of the Duolingo English Test for high-stakes university admissions, using data from Carnegie Mellon University’s satellite campus in Rwanda. We find that Duolingo scores submitted during the 2015 application process are significantly correlated with IELTSTM scores (r = 0. 834) . We then link Duolingo test scores to the IELTS exam, with results that are consistent with previous research linking Duolingo scores to the TOEFL® iBT exam. Finally, we infer CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) levels from this linking, and find that they are consistent with the design of the Duolingo English Test scale.  \nKeywords  \nDuolingo English Test, CEFR, English proficiency, IELTS, language testing  \nThis report refers to an older version of the Duolingo English Test (DET) . More recent research and information on the current test can be found here .  \n1 Introduction  \nIn 2011, the government of Rwanda strategically targeted Carnegie Mellon University to establish and operate an academic program in Kigali, Rwanda . The program offers Master of Science degrees in Information Technology and in Electrical and Computer Engineering. These degrees are taught to the same rigorous standards as the main CMU campus in Pittsburgh, by globally renowned CMU faculty residing on-site in Kigali. As a result, the admissions requirements for these programs are similar to those in Pittsburgh, and currently require scores from either the IELTSTM or TOEFL® as part of the application process1 .  \nExperience has shown that mastery of English is a key success factor for students applying to these programs . Therefore, the CMU Rwanda admissions committee needed an efficient and affordable way to test students’ English ability early in the admissions process, before requiring them to take the IELTS or TOEFL exams . Mainly, this is because because such tests are time-consuming and expensive to use in the admissions cycle: they must be scheduled in advance, there are a limited number of slots available at physical test centers, results might take weeks, and they can cost up to 34% of the annual per capita income in Rwanda2 .  \nIn 2014, Duolingo — creator of the award-winning online language-learning app — launched the Duolingo Test Center ( [https://testcenter.duolingo.com](https://testcenter.duolingo.com)) as a new online language certification platform . Duolingo Test Center offers secure and accessible computer-adaptive language assessments, ondemand, via web and mobile devices . The Duolingo English Test (DET) costs US$50, is proctored remotely using the device’s built-in camera and microphone, and results are available in less than 48 hours . Furthermore, previous research has found that Duolingo English Test scores are substantially correlated with  \nthe TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test), providing early validity evidence for its use in university admissions decisions [1] .  \nCMU Rwanda elected to use the Duolingo English Test as part of the admissions process for its 2015 applicants . The goal of this case study is to better understand how the Duolingo English Test can be used for university admissions decisions . We do this by analyzing validity evidence using data collected during the application process .  \n2 Data and method  \n2.1 Data collection  \nStudents from the East African Community region who apply to CMU Rwanda degree programs must first submit an online application form . They are then required to submit a Duolingo English Test and perform two interviews . The most competitive students are then selected based on their DET scores and interviews—these students are considered to be in the top 5-10% of their class . If selected, students are then required to take th","cbCaipBxRMTf3uz1","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaipBxRMTf3uz1","pdf",178718,"English","# Introduction\n# Data and method\n## Data collection\n## Duolingo, IELTS, and CEFR details","[{\"question\":\"What data source and setting are used to evaluate the Duolingo English Test validity?\",\"answer\":\"The analysis uses 2015 application data from Carnegie Mellon University’s satellite campus in Rwanda, including DET submissions and subsequent IELTS/TOEFL requirements for selected applicants.\"},{\"question\":\"How strongly do DET scores correlate with IELTS scores in this study?\",\"answer\":\"The study reports a significant correlation between DET and IELTS scores, with r=0.834, based on scores submitted during the 2015 application process.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the report connect Duolingo test results to CEFR levels?\",\"answer\":\"It links DET scores to IELTS outcomes and then infers CEFR levels, finding consistency with the design of the Duolingo English Test scale.\"}]","Duolingo English Test and East Africa - Preliminary linking results with IELTS & CEFR | PDF"]