The Duolingo English Test (DET) now reports four individual skill subscores, for Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening, on every score report. A later Duolingo research post gives 1 July 2024 as the date reports began to include them; the change was explained on the DET blog on 29 August 2024.
Key facts
- From 1 July 2024
- New Individual subscores for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
- Kept Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production
- Overall Average of the four skill subscores, rounded to the nearest 5
How scores are now calculated
The DET already reported four integrated subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production. These stay on the report but are now worked out as the average of two skill subscores. For example, Conversation is based on Listening and Speaking, and Literacy on Reading and Writing. Before, each integrated subscore was calculated directly from smaller parts of the test.
The overall score is now the average of the four skill subscores, rounded to the nearest 5. Scores remain on the 10 to 160 scale.
Why it matters
Duolingo says the skill subscores are easier to compare with the section scores of other major tests, so universities can set minimums for each skill, as many already do for IELTS or TOEFL.
What this means
Check whether the universities on your list now set minimum DET subscores, not just an overall score. If one skill is clearly weaker, focus your practice there, because a low subscore can now be seen directly and will also pull down your overall result. In August 2026 Duolingo published a separate table comparing each skill subscore with IELTS Academic bands, which some universities may use. If you tested on or after 1 July 2024, your score report already shows the four skill subscores.