:“We’ve seen several students who entered the university via the Duolingo tests be found guilty of plagiarism in recent months.
Aston University in Birmingham is one of the many UK institutions that adopted Duolingo at the height of the pandemic but has now dropped it. A spokesperson told“We have since removed the approval for the Duolingo test, following our January 2023 student intake in response to anecdotal feedback that the students who had taken the Duolingo test were not doing as well as peers on their programmes,” they said.
It has been hailed as a cheap and speedy alternative to traditional language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System , which is globally recognised as the most popular English proficiency test for non-native speakers. Duolingo says it uses a rigorous ID-checking system to ensure the authenticity of those taking its English Language Test. Students are required to submit a digital copy of official identification before taking the test, such as their passport, driver’s licences, or national ID.