A Duolingo English Test score of 80 is a CEFR B1 (intermediate) level. On Duolingo’s official comparison table it is roughly IELTS 5 and TOEFL iBT 41 – 46. Among the 1001 institutions that publish a DET minimum on their website, 64 (6%) ask for 80 or lower, and 33 list exactly 80.
Score 80 compared with nearby scores
| DET | CEFR | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Institutions listing this minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | B1 | 5 | 53 – 58 | 61 |
| 85 | B1 | 5 | 47 – 52 | 39 |
| 80 | B1 | 5 | 41 – 46 | 33 |
| 75 | B1 | 4.5 | 35 – 40 | 14 |
| 70 | B1 | 4.5 | 30 – 34 | 6 |
Institutions that list 80 as their minimum DET score
Minimum taken from each institution’s own website; programs may differ and requirements change — confirm before you book.
- Australia: Flinders University
- Cayman Islands: International College of the Cayman Islands
- Germany: HTW Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin)
- Ireland: Marino Institute of Education · Munster Technological University Cork
- Japan: Tokyo International University
- Kazakhstan: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University · SDU University
- Saudi Arabia: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
- United States: California University of Management and Sciences · Cincinnati State Technical and Community College · CUNY Kingsborough Community College · CUNY LaGuardia Community College · CUNY New York City College of Technology · CUNY Queensborough Community College · Florida Gulf Coast University · High Mowing School · Manhattan College · Merit University · Morningside College · Northeastern Junior College · Pasadena City College · Queens College CUNY · Saddleback College · Southwest University at El Paso · Stanton University · The Newman School · University of Illinois Chicago · University of Miami · University of Vermont · Valencia College · Whittier College · Yosemite Community College District
Is 80 a good Duolingo score?
80 is below the range most universities ask for (usually 95–125): only 6% of institutions with a published minimum accept 80 or lower, mainly language programs, pathway courses and some colleges. Plan on reaching at least 100–110.
How to go from 80 to 85 or higher
- Below 100 the fastest gains come from vocabulary: learn the 2,000 most common English words and practise Read and Select every day.
- In Listen and Type, write every word you hear even if you are unsure of the spelling — partial credit counts.
- Use the free typing trainer: typing faster gives you more time to think in the writing tasks.
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