Duolingo English Test

The secret ingredient behind scalable adaptive assessment? SPICE 🌶️🔥 Our latest paper introduces the Scalable Parametric Item Calibration Engine (SPICE), a new psychometric system designed for the realities of modern digital assessment: massive item pools, sparse data, adaptive delivery, and AI-generated content. As assessment systems grow more dynamic, calibrating items reliably becomes a major technical challenge. SPICE was built to handle that complexity at scale. A big contribution from Steven Nydick, Manqian Liao, and J.R. Lockwood to the future of computational psychometrics. Find it on arXiv!

What if the biggest challenge in language testing isn’t cheating or AI, but whether assessments still reflect how people actually communicate? Our latest Research & Development newsletter dives into the tensions reshaping language assessment right now: ▪️ How testing environments influence student wellbeing and performance ▪️ What AI means for assessment design and score interpretation ▪️ Whether long-standing ideas about fairness and validity still hold up ▪️ How researchers are rethinking rigor, accessibility, and trust in digital testing This issue also features new studies, webinars, upcoming conference appearances, and a preview of our forthcoming Routledge handbook on digital language assessment 📗 👀

International education has always been shaped by politics. Immigration policy, public trust, geopolitical instability, and student mobility are all influencing how universities think about recruitment and access. Earlier this year in Glasgow, we brought together leading voices from politics, media, and higher education including Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Sally Magnusson, Professor Rachel Sandison OBE (FCIM), Sir John Curtice, and Alan Gemmell MP to discuss Scotland’s global reach and the future of international education. At DETcon London, we’ll continue convening these kinds of cross-sector conversations at a larger scale, with keynote speaker Frank Gardner OBE, BBC Security Correspondent. The program will feature new UKCISA research and perspectives from across the sector on how institutions can navigate uncertainty while continuing to build globally connected campuses. 📍 Senate House, University of London 📅 10 June 2026

How do we know test takers are who they say they are? It’s one of the most common questions we hear about remote testing. The answer? We don’t rely on a single ID check. The Duolingo English Test uses multiple layers of identity verification throughout the testing process, including: ✅ government ID verification ✅ facial matching ✅ behavioral analysis ✅ device fingerprinting ✅ trained human reviewers Because identity verification continues across the entire session, our systems can detect patterns associated with impersonation and proxy testing, not just mismatches at the start of the exam. And because we record and review each test session in its entirety before certifying a score, imposters don't get through. Test security works best when multiple systems work together.

We're bringing one of our most important conversations to the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Scholarships and Fellowships Forum in Canberra, and we'd love to see you there. 🌉 From Barrier to Bridge: Digital Innovation in Refugee Education Pathways 🗓️ 20 May 2026 - 21 May 2026 📍 Ann Harding Conference Centre, 24 University Drive S, Canberra Drawing on the Duolingo English Test Access Program and the Refugee Student Settlement Program (RSSP), the session will explore how technology can reduce friction in the student journey — so that English proficiency becomes a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier to entry. Joining us on stage: 🎤 Emma McLeavey-Weeder, Lead Strategic Engagement Executive, Access Programs, Duolingo 🎤 Dr. Sally Baker–Co-Lead, Refugee Student Settlement Pathway & Director of University Partnerships 🎙️ Chaired by Brett Blacker, Managing Director ANZ, Duolingo Sponsored by Duolingo, this session explores how digital-first English language assessment is opening doors for the world's most vulnerable learners. Don't miss it! 👉 Full event details: https://lnkd.in/gdhKvqgq

Large parts of the UK are becoming “cold spots” for language learning in higher education. In some regions, students now have little or no local opportunity to study languages at degree level. So what can we do about it? Professor Emma Cayley (University of Leeds) argues that reversing this trend will require coordinated action across universities, schools, government, and the wider sector. In her contribution to our #KeeptheStreak essay collection, she highlights practical responses already underway, from collaborative provision models to targeted funding, national strategy development, and partnerships designed to keep language pathways open. The challenge is significant, but so is the momentum building around solutions. 🔗 Read more on the Duolingo English Test blog; find a link in the comments!

What's the most stressful test experience YOU'VE ever had? High-stakes testing already puts students under pressure. The testing environment may amplify that pressure more than many institutions realize. We couldn't let #MentalHealthAwareness week go by without revisiting a recent study by Dr. Ruolin Hu (UCL) that examined how test anxiety differs between at-home and in-center testing. Drawing on data from hundreds of test takers across the DET, IELTS, and TOEFL, the research found consistently lower anxiety levels in at-home settings. For institutions thinking about fairness, student wellbeing, and assessment design, these findings raise important questions about how environment shapes performance. 🔗 Read more on the DET blog: https://lnkd.in/e9znAvfn

Dyslexia does not look the same in every language 👏 In this May 22 webinar, Dr. Chihiro Inoue (CRELLA Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment, University of Bedfordshire) shares research showing how learners who had only mild difficulties in their first language can face much greater challenges when learning English, especially with reading and spelling. The session also looks at what this means for test accommodations and how we can better support learners who might otherwise go unnoticed. This webinar is free and open to the public! Save your spot 👉 https://lnkd.in/e4cRzQ8J

How can Japanese universities strengthen their global reach while adapting to new expectations around AI, internationalization, and English proficiency? At the upcoming 2026 Duolingo English Test Leadership Seminar in Tokyo, university leaders will come together to discuss exactly that. The program features Benesse Corporation CEO Daisuke Iwase, alongside speakers from Kansai University, Kanda University of International Studies, Ritsumeikan University, Hitotsubashi University, Tohoku University, and Kyoto University, with conversations focused on internationalization, English education, and the future of assessment. 📍Shibuya, Tokyo 🗓️June 10 Capacity is limited. If your institution would like to be considered, tag Akihito Nagasaka in the comments!