Duolingo English Test to introduce additional subscores for improved language assessment

Starting July 1, the Duolingo English Test (DET) will introduce new Individual Subscores in Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening, alongside the existing Integrated subscores for Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. This update aims to provide universities with a clearer understanding of a student's language abilities in an academic setting and help students identify their core competencies.

Upon completing the test, applicants will receive a score report with both their overall score and the new subscores. The overall score, which ranges from 10 to 160 in 5-point increments, aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), an international standard for language proficiency.

The addition of individual subscores for Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening allows test takers to pinpoint their strengths and areas for improvement in each specific skill. Meanwhile, the integrated subscores for Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production continue to offer a comprehensive overview of language abilities. The combination of individual and integrated subscores provides institutions with deeper insights into a candidate’s language proficiency, reflecting real-world academic language use.

Individual subscores are calculated based on performance in each skill area, with the overall score being the average of these subscores, rounded to the nearest 5. Each integrated subscore is now the average of the two individual subscores it comprises; for example, the literacy subscore is the average of the reading and writing subscores.

Once the scoring and review process is complete, test takers will receive an email notification and can access their detailed score report by logging into their account at englishtest.duolingo.com.

It is important to note that integrated subscores calculated before July 1 are not directly comparable to those after the update, and converting old integrated subscores to the new format is not possible.