Duolingo announced on 27 August 2025 that the Duolingo English Test (DET) has been aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), Canada’s national scale for describing English ability. A panel of 15 language assessment experts set DET score points for CLB levels 3 to 11 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Key facts
- Published 27 August 2025
- What DET scores aligned to CLB levels 3 to 11 in all four skills
- Study by Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (commissioned 2024)
- Immigration Not an IRCC approval
How the study was run
Duolingo commissioned the work in 2024, and it was carried out by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. The panel followed the standard-setting steps recommended by the Council of Europe. Results were presented at an academic conference in March 2025. Examples given include a writing score of 120 matching CLB 8, a listening score of 100 matching CLB 8, and a speaking score of 135 matching CLB 10.
What it does not change
The alignment is a way of interpreting scores. It does not mean Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts the DET for permanent residence or citizenship. The post itself does not claim IRCC acceptance. Canadian economic immigration currently relies on the tests IRCC designates, such as PTE Core, IELTS General Training and CELPIP.
What this means
If you are applying to a Canadian college or university that accepts the DET, the CLB table may help admissions staff read your result. Professional regulators may also start to use it, but check each one’s rules. If you need English for an IRCC immigration application, do not book the DET for that purpose: check IRCC’s list of approved language tests and book one of those.