Examining the predictive validity of the Duolingo English Test: Evidence from a major UK university

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the university admissions and proficiency testing landscape. One change been meteoric rise in use of fully automated Duolingo English Test (DET) for entrance purposes, offering test-takers a cheaper, shorter, accessible alternative. This rapid response study is first to investigate predictive value DET test scores relation students’ academic attainment, taking into account degree level, discipline, nationality. We also compared test-takers’ performance with that students admitted using traditional tests. Credit-weighted first-year grades 1881 (1389 postgraduate, 492 undergraduate) enrolled at large, research-intensive London Autumn 2020 were positively associated Overall postgraduate (adj. r = .195) but not undergraduate −.112). result was mirrored correlational patterns through IELTS ( n 2651) TOEFL iBT 436), contributing criterion-related validity evidence. Students enjoyed lower success than test-takers, although sample characteristics may have shaped this finding. discuss implications establishing cut harnessing language development pre-sessional in-sessional support.