The University of Illinois has added the Duolingo online English test to its roster of accepted exams to prove proficiency for entrance for 2022 applicants.
Previously, the TOEFL and IELTS were the only tests recognised by the university. However, as both were administered on campus, which has proved difficult for applicants to access during the pandemic, the admissions department began considering Duolingo’s option.
“The biggest concern is not having subscores that correlate with the existing tests,” admissions director Andy Borst told Urbana’s The News-Gazette. After some consideration it was decided that “there was enough for them to approve” its use, at least temporarily.
There are now over 1,600 universities accepting the Duolingo English test.