A Duolingo English Test score of 90 is a CEFR B1 (intermediate) level. On Duolingo’s official comparison table it is roughly IELTS 5 and TOEFL iBT 53 – 58. Among the 1001 institutions that publish a DET minimum on their website, 164 (16%) ask for 90 or lower, and 61 list exactly 90.
Score 90 compared with nearby scores
| DET | CEFR | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Institutions listing this minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | B2 | 5.5 | 65 – 69 | 124 |
| 95 | B1 | 5.5 | 59 – 64 | 112 |
| 90 | B1 | 5 | 53 – 58 | 61 |
| 85 | B1 | 5 | 47 – 52 | 39 |
| 80 | B1 | 5 | 41 – 46 | 33 |
Institutions that list 90 as their minimum DET score
Minimum taken from each institution’s own website; programs may differ and requirements change — confirm before you book.
- China: Duke University · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Wuxi University of Technology
- Latvia: Art Academy of Latvia
- Russia: ITMO University
- Rwanda: Adventist School of Medicine of East Central Africa
- United States: Alexandria Technical and Community College · Alhambra Medical University · Appalachian Bible College · Arapahoe Community College · Berkeley College – New York · Black Hills State University · Cambridge College · Carolina University · Carson–Newman University · Central Community College · College of Western Idaho · Culver–Stockton College · Duke University · Eastern Wyoming College · Elizabeth City State University · Garden City Community College · Goldey-Beacom College · Harcum College · Henderson State University · Indiana University Indianapolis · Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Jamestown Community College · Lasell University · Liberty University · LIM College · Lower Columbia College · Mitchell College · Moreland University · New York Film Academy · Northern State University · NorthWest Arkansas Community College · Robert Morris University · Saddle River Day School · Santa Barbara City College · Santa Fe Community College · Sinclair College · South Baylo University · Southern Arkansas University · Southwestern Christian University · Southwestern College (Kansas) · St. Paul Lutheran School Ann Arbor · Sterling College · SUNY Buffalo State · SUNY Cobleskill · SUNY Niagara (formerly known as Niagara County Community College) · University of Charleston · University of East West Medicine · University of Hawaii – Hilo · University of Massachusetts Boston · University of Missouri – St. Louis · University of North Alabama · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Wellington School · Western Nebraska Community College
Is 90 a good Duolingo score?
90 is below the range most universities ask for (usually 95–125): only 16% of institutions with a published minimum accept 90 or lower, mainly language programs, pathway courses and some colleges. Plan on reaching at least 100–110.
How to go from 90 to 95 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