A Duolingo English Test score of 125 is a CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) level. On Duolingo’s official comparison table it is roughly IELTS 6.5 and TOEFL iBT 93 – 97. Among the 1001 institutions that publish a DET minimum on their website, 948 (95%) ask for 125 or lower, and 21 list exactly 125.
Score 125 compared with nearby scores
| DET | CEFR | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Institutions listing this minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 135 | C1 | 7 | 104 – 108 | 5 |
| 130 | C1 | 7 | 98 – 103 | 43 |
| 125 | B2 | 6.5 | 93 – 97 | 21 |
| 120 | B2 | 6.5 | 87 – 92 | 103 |
| 115 | B2 | 6 | 82 – 86 | 103 |
Institutions that list 125 as their minimum DET score
Minimum taken from each institution’s own website; programs may differ and requirements change — confirm before you book.
- Australia: University of Western Australia
- Canada: Simon Fraser University · University of British Columbia · University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
- France: CentraleSupélec
- Qatar: Northwestern University
- Sweden: Jönköping University
- United Kingdom: Newcastle University · University of Brighton · University of Reading · University of Strathclyde
- United States: Boston Architectural College · Claremont Graduate University · Emerson College · Florida State University · Northern Virginia Community College · Northwestern University · Reformed Theological Seminary · SUNY Maritime College · University of Montana · University of San Francisco · Washington University in St. Louis
Is 125 a good Duolingo score?
Yes, for most programs. 125 meets the minimum at 95% of institutions that publish one, including most undergraduate programs in the US, Canada and the UK. Competitive graduate programs often ask for 120–130.
How to go from 125 to 130 or higher
- Most students between 100 and 125 lose points on Production: write at least 5 connected sentences in Write About the Photo and Writing Sample, with linking words (because, although, which, therefore).
- In Read and Select, be strict — a wrong “yes” on a fake word costs more than skipping a real one.
- Speak for the whole time in Speaking tasks: a 60-second answer with 2 clear reasons and an example beats a short, perfect sentence.
Start with the free level test to estimate your current score, train your typing with the typing trainer, and prepare properly with the Duolingo English Test course.
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Last updated: November 2026