"Testing isn't just about checking a box—it's about proving you're ready to succeed."

When most people think about business school admissions, they focus on test scores, essays, and interviews. But for many candidates around the world, there's another critical piece of the puzzle: proving you can succeed in an English-speaking academic environment.

In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Elie Bechara, Head of the Duolingo English Test in Europe, to break down how English proficiency testing fits into the modern MBA application—and why it matters more than ever.

Elie shares his journey from INSEAD to consulting to tech, and how he found his way to Duolingo. Then, the conversation dives into what the Duolingo English Test (DET) actually is, how it compares to other English proficiency exams, and why its fully online, adaptive format is rapidly gaining traction worldwide.

You'll also learn how the DET complements exams like the GMAT, what business schools are really looking for when it comes to communication skills, and how global trends are reshaping where—and how—students pursue business education.

About Elie:

Based in Europe, Elie Bechara is the Senior Strategic Engagement Manager for the Duolingo English Test. He works closely with universities, governments, and higher education stakeholders across the region to develop and support fair, secure, and accessible English proficiency assessment in international admissions. Before joining Duolingo, Elie spent over a decade in client-facing roles, across Europe and MENA, in consulting and tech, at LinkedIn, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and PwC, advising institutions, governments, and organisations on strategy, transformation, and talent mobility.

Helpful links:

Duolingo English Test: englishtest.duolingo.com

Purchase GMAT Official Prep: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/prepare

Inside the GMAT/GMAC Zach on Substack: https://substack.com/@gmaczach

Key Takeaways:

Language proficiency is more than a checkbox: It's a signal of your ability to actively participate in a global, collaborative MBA environment.
The GMAT and English tests are complementary, assessing different but equally critical skills: reasoning vs. real-world communication.
AI is transforming assessment, enabling faster test development, improved security, and more realistic interaction-based evaluations.
Global mobility trends are shifting, with more candidates choosing Europe and other regions, increasing the need for strong communication across cultures.
Business school success depends heavily on communication, not just academic ability—especially in discussion-driven environments.
Your application doesn't need to be "extraordinary" to be compelling—authenticity and clarity matter more than trying to stand out artificially.
Preparation builds confidence for day one, ensuring you can fully engage from the start rather than playing catch-up.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:27 Elie's Journey to Duolingo
04:20 The Duolingo English Test Explained
07:12 The Structure and Security of the Test
12:02 Innovative Features of the Duolingo English Test
14:19 The Growing Popularity of the Duolingo English Test
17:30 Complementing MBA Applications with Language Proficiency
22:38 Trends in Global Mobility for MBA Candidates
25:05 The Future of Language Testing and AI Innovations
29:22 Advice for MBA Applicants and Test Takers