Is the Duolingo English Test a game changer?
Millions of people sign up for tests and exams each year to certify their level of English. The demographic of those looking to gain scores from B2 to C2 is clear. The majority are from 16-30 years old and are in, or wish to be in, higher education. Success in these exams opens doors and offers the chance to improve prospects. It provides young people with increased mobility and more options in employability and education. Attendance at a test centre to carry out a test, whether paper-based or computer-based, has always been the standard way of proctoring the process. However, if candidates are unable to attend test centres to carry out exams because of restrictions, such as happened during the Covid pandemic, then the field becomes vulnerable to disruption. Exam providers are mindful of this and have been using online proctoring systems for some time now. But there is a relatively new player with skin in the game. Enter Duolingo English Test (DET), stage left. The Duolingo app has bee...