What does an unofficial result mean on the Duolingo English Test?

If a result is decertified or rule breaks are found after certification, other certified results on the account that you have not yet shared become unofficial. Results you have already shared with institutions remain valid (help centre).

Expiry is the everyday cause: results are valid for two years, after which you can no longer share them or view the certificate (help centre). See Duolingo score validity.

A result for institutional use only cannot be shared by you. Either an institution sponsored the test and does not allow sharing (it receives the result automatically), or the proctoring team did not review the test, in which case the result is not official and has no certificate (help centre).

Uncertified means all attempts on a credit were used without a certified result, because of broken rules, technical issues, quitting, rule-breaking behaviour or decertification. Your account shows the specific reason, some cases can be appealed, and unless you are banned for rule-breaking you may be able to test again (help centre). Rules and fees change. Check the test owner's own page before you book or pay. This guide is general information, not official advice from ETS or Duolingo.