Mine was %85 which correlates with my TOEFL score which is 110.
According to Duolingo website, they have done independent correlation study between Duolingo Test and TOEFL. It is 0.67. There is no need for UCLA to promote this test.
Same. I got 106 on TOEFL but didn’t send it cuz I got waived. Duolingo was pretty easy. My results came out just one night after the test. 99%.
But its not a strong correlation.( 0.80+ are strong) So, they may be trying this method to see the reliability of the test for future students. Also, I think the interview section will be sent to UCLA.
I got a %95 in Duolingo and sent it to UCLA.
My TOEFL score is 116 but I still got UCLA’s email to take Duolingo English Test. I called UCLA undergraduate admissions office today and the lady said that Duolingo test is optional and would not impact my admission results. I am not sure if the test will add any additional value to my application? Are they looking at the higher of TOEFL and Duolingo score? Has any other UC asked for it?
Actually, I did the test and TOEFL is much much more harder. Duolingo just asks you some english words and thats it actually. If your TOEFL score is above 100, don’t take the test. Its just a waste of time. I also called the UCLA admissions and they said it wasn’t necessary but optional and they will have no impact on your admission result.
If you have low TOEFL scores like 80’s then take it.
I also took it and its soooo weird
Actually I sent an email to UCLA for an answer and below is what I receive:
'You will not be disadvantaged at all if you choose not to take the exam. Submitting a score is completely optional.
Sincerely,
UCLA Undergraduate Admission’
So, I am not going to waste the 49 bucks and would save the money for other purpose.
I’m guessing the following explains why high-scoring non-native speakers are requested to take this test.
FYI courtesy of Ms Sun’s UC Blog:
A portion of international applicants (primarily those from China and some from other Asian countries) have received a request from UCLA for an English assessment, in addition to the submitted TOEFL score. This is not a joke or a mistake (as some seems to have come to believe). This is an independent assessment most likely targeting Asian students due to the pervasive cheating from the region.
In case you are not aware, the UCs were hit with a huge cheating scandal that ended up in a Reuters investigative reporting piece last year. Berkeley was the first campus to take action, selectively interviewing transfer applicants through a third-party vendor, InitialView, during the last application cycle ($220; additional clarification regarding the interview request). I guess UCLA is following suit this year. The assessment is meant to serve as verification that the high TOEFL score (which most recipients of the request seem to have) is legitimate and not bought. UCLA may be using Duolingo because of its lower cost ($49; keep in mind that the fee is collected by Duolingo, a third-party vendor, for the administration of the assessment and does not line UCLA’s pockets).
Even though this is new (may be here to stay, the cheating seems pervasive), it’s possible that the verification is triggered automatically when a specific flag is detected (hard to say what UCLA is looking for; perhaps history showed that students with a certain range of TOEFL scores were more likely to have hired a test taker?). Although not required, I do recommend that students take the assessment to put UCLA at ease regarding their English proficiency.
Who is Ms Sun? AO from UCLA?
Accusing Asian students cheating on TOEFL without evidence is just ridiculous! Because of the relatively low correlation, the Duolingo English test cannot provide much information either ways.
I am not Chinese (I am Italian) and I received it… 99 TOEFL
Ms. Sun is a college admissions advisor who specializes in UC admissions. She has a blog. We aren’t supposed to link to it here, because she asks for payment for some of her services. You can Google “Ask Ms Sun”.
I wouldn’t pay any attention to Ms Sun then. Nonsense.
I am from Turkey and I received it too
I emailed the admission office, the reply was the usual stuff like it’s completely optional and not taking it would have no negative impact. I dont think I’m gonna do it anyway b/c that test looks really weird. Plus, setting aside the discriminatory tone in this blog, if it’s really for corroborating my standardized test scores b/c I’m from China, why is the institution that administers the test a Chinese company??
I did the test and got 99% on it. It was really too easy. I wouldn’t consider it as valid as any other test of English proficiency like TOEFL or the SAT. The hardest part might’ve been speaking because the topics were just so vague that I kinda had to make things up. The rest was being able to distinguish between actual english words and made-up ones, as well as completing some sentences. I’m not sure how this will affect my application, or what UCLA wants from it. Even discriminating based on your picture is now possible. I’m not sure how big cheating is in China and the rest of the world, but at least this is a pretty easy way to see if the correct person takes the test and if they cheat on it. Things like looking away or typing when the question doesn’t allow it would be considered red flags. Who knows though? UCLA might just want to do some research on Duolingo and used us as lab rats 
I just took the test and got 99% on it. This was nowhere comparable to the standard of questions of TOEFL. I’m just glad that I have an extra certificate to mention on my CV haha.