In an exclusive interview, Carrie Wang, Head at Duolingo English Test (DET), Asia, elaborates on the growth strategy of the DET in India. Wang emphasises on how the DET assesses English proficiency in comparison to other standardised tests like TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, Wang gives insights into how the DET is revolutionising the way English proficiency is measured and opening doors to a world of opportunities for India.
Excerpts below:
Can you tell us about the adoption and growth of the DET in India? How has the response been from both test-takers and educational institutions? What has been the growth like for the DET post COVID in terms of acceptance? How much has it increased?
We launched the Duolingo English Test in 2017, and have built a lot of momentum since then, aligning perfectly with India’s burgeoning demand for international education. The Indian overseas education market is projected to reach an impressive $100 billion by 2025, as more than 2 million Indian students intend to pursue higher education abroad. More than 50% of Indian applicants continue to favor English-speaking countries as their primary choice for international studies. Consequently, an English proficiency test (EPT) is often a mandatory requirement for admission into university programs in these English-speaking nations.
India is the largest market for the Duolingo English Test, with people taking the test from over 1,200 cities and towns over the last year. DET tests taken from India grew nearly 80% y-o-y post COVID in 2022, underscoring the immense potential within the market. The cities where the DET has witnessed its most significant adoption closely mirror the preferences of Indian students pursuing higher education abroad with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Gujarat leading the way.
Key metropolitan centers like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai have shown substantial growth, showcasing the diversification of student destinations. Hyderabad and its surrounding areas have also exhibited a particularly strong appetite for studying in the United States. Last year, we saw over 100% year-over-year growth in cities such as Kochi, Nellore, Bharuch, Malappuram, and Eluru to name a few from the 1,200 cities where DET tests were taken.
In terms of acceptance, the DET is almost universally accepted in the US with over 3200 programs across the country accepting the DET, including 99 of the top 100 ranked universities in America by US News. We are also growing rapidly across the world and have close to 5000 institutions that are accepting the DET as a valid English proficiency in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland and much more.
The surge in adoption of the DET aligns with a broader trend of increased appetite for digital solutions in the education sector. Legacy testing companies are also offering online options, affirming that the Indian market prefers more convenient and cost-effective digital tests.
Could you share some insights into how the DET assesses English proficiency differently compared to traditional standardized tests like TOEFL or IELTS? What advantages does this approach offer to Indian test-takers?
The Duolingo English Test is a digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency test designed for students—convenient, fast, affordable, and trusted by over 5000 universities around the world.
Historically, language testing has posed significant barriers to Indian students. Limited access to physical testing centers and exorbitant costs have made it challenging for many to pursue their education abroad. The DET, however, is on a mission to change that. We aspire to be the new standard in proficiency assessment, specifically tailored to cater to India’s diverse population.
Leveraging advanced AI technology, the DET focuses on accessibility, accuracy, and security. It can be taken anywhere with an internet connection and a laptop, and doesn’t need a prior appointment, which means that students can take the test anywhere and at any point of time. As a result, we can serve students in more cities than tests with traditional testing centers. This inclusivity empowers students, including those in rural areas, to embark on their study abroad journeys.
Affordability is another key feature of the DET, priced at just $59, making it less than 25% of other tests. It’s also more time-efficient, with a one-hour duration. We also provide scores within 48 hours, ensuring rapid results compared to the 10-13 day waiting period with other tests.
We understand the need for urgency for test takers, and also have ‘result in 12 hours’ option at a slightly higher fee. Additionally, the DET allows test-takers to send scores to unlimited universities at no extra charge, eliminating the need for additional fees after a certain number of university submissions.
Behind the DET’s excellence lies cutting-edge technology and expertise in language testing. Developed by professionals in the field, our test utilizes AI and machine learning at every stage. These technologies automatically generate test items, align them with proficiency levels in the CEFR, adaptively administer items for each test, grade test-taker responses, synthesize results into a final score, and assist the human review and proctoring process.
As the demand for international education continues to rise, the DET is committed to providing accessible and reliable language proficiency testing, empowering students worldwide to pursue their dreams of studying abroad.
