Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 1 November 2026
NOVA Duolingo placement bands
From NOVA's international admissions page.
| Level or programme | Duolingo minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Degree programme, ENG 111 | 125+ | Straight into college English |
| Degree programme, ENG 111 + ESL 67 | 110 to 120 | Degree place with one ESL course |
| ESL Pathway, ESL 51 + ESL 52 | 95 to 105 | F-1 ESL Pathway |
| ESL Pathway, ESL 41 + ESL 42 | 80 to 90 | F-1 ESL Pathway |
| Intensive English, non-credit | 79 or less | Intensive English programme |
How NOVA handles Duolingo scores
NOVA says the tests it accepts can be taken online from home in a secure setting or at a local test centre. TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Oxford ELLT, IB, SAT, ACT and NOVA's own Accuplacer are accepted for placement. Students from NOVA's list of English-speaking countries go straight into the associate degree programme.
The page gives no Duolingo validity period.
For comparison, the same table places IELTS 7+ in ENG 111, 6.5 in ENG 111 plus ESL 67 and 5.5 to 6 in ESL 51 and 52, per NOVA.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
If your Duolingo score is below 110
You can still enrol: 80 to 105 places you in the ESL Pathway, and lower scores in non-credit Intensive English. NOVA also accepts its Accuplacer test for placement.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your NOVA programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What Duolingo score puts me in a NOVA degree programme?+
110 or higher. 125+ goes straight into ENG 111; 110 to 120 adds ESL 67.
What happens with a Duolingo score of 80 to 105 at NOVA?+
You are placed in the ESL Pathway: ESL 41 and 42 for 80 to 90, or ESL 51 and 52 for 95 to 105.
Can I take the Duolingo test at home for NOVA?+
Yes. NOVA says accepted tests can be taken online from home or at a test centre.
What is NOVA's IELTS equivalent?+
IELTS 7+ for ENG 111 and 6.5 for ENG 111 plus ESL 67.
Keep reading
Related
- Northern Virginia Community College IELTS requirement
- Lone Star College Duolingo requirement
- Seattle Colleges Duolingo requirement
- Duolingo English Test score chart
- All 4564 guides
Guide updated on 1 November 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy