Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test (DET)
An affordable, at-home English test accepted by thousands of universities.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) has grown quickly because it removes the friction of traditional tests: you take it at home, in about an hour, for a fraction of the cost of IELTS or TOEFL, and results arrive within a couple of days.
It is a computer-adaptive test — questions get harder or easier based on your answers — which lets it measure your level quickly. It also sends institutions a short video interview and writing sample alongside your score, so admissions officers can see and hear you.
Acceptance has expanded to thousands of programmes, but it is not yet universal, so the single most important step is confirming that your specific university and course accept the DET and what score they require.
Who needs the Duolingo English Test?
- Applicants who want a cheaper, faster, at-home alternative to IELTS/TOEFL
- Students applying to universities that explicitly accept the DET
- Anyone without easy access to a test centre
Test format, section by section
Adaptive section · ~45 min
A mix of reading, writing, listening and speaking tasks that adapt in difficulty — reading aloud, typing what you hear, describing images, writing and speaking on prompts.
Tip: Answer steadily; because it's adaptive, rushing into errors can pull the difficulty — and your score — down.
Video interview & writing sample · ~10 min
Open-ended speaking and writing responses that are not scored but are sent to institutions to review alongside your certified score.
Tip: Treat this as your introduction to the admissions office — speak clearly and stay on topic.
Variants & versions
A single online test, taken at home with webcam proctoring. There is no test-centre version.
How the Duolingo English Test is scored
Scored on a 10–160 scale with sub-scores for literacy, comprehension, conversation and production. As a rough guide, a DET score of about 120 is often compared to IELTS 7.0, but you should always check your university's stated equivalence.
| If you're applying for… | Typical score |
|---|---|
| Many undergraduate programmes | 105–120 |
| Competitive / graduate programmes | 120–135 |
Where and when to take it
Available on demand, 24/7, from your own computer with a webcam and stable internet. You buy and take it through the Duolingo English Test site.
Results, validity & retakes
Results: Results are typically certified within 2 days.
Validity: Scores are valid for 2 years.
Retakes: You can take the test multiple times (subject to monthly limits) and send your best certified result.
How much does it cost?
Approximately US$65.
How to prepare: a study plan
- Confirm first that your target universities accept the DET and what score they want.
- Set up a quiet, well-lit room and a stable webcam — strict proctoring rules can void a test for rule breaks.
- Practise the unique adaptive task types on the official practice test.
- Work on the core four skills genuinely; the adaptive engine rewards real ability, not memorised tricks.
- Rehearse the unscored video interview so you come across clearly to admissions staff.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Breaking a proctoring rule (looking off-screen, someone entering the room) and having the test invalidated.
- Assuming every university accepts it without checking.
- Neglecting the video interview because it isn't scored — admissions officers still watch it.
- Rushing early questions and dragging the adaptive difficulty down.
How the Duolingo English Test compares
The DET trades the broad acceptance of IELTS/TOEFL for low cost, speed and at-home convenience. If your universities accept it, it can save time and money; if they don't, you'll still need IELTS or TOEFL.
We help you build the core reading, writing, listening and speaking skills the DET adapts to — and rehearse the video interview — so a genuinely stronger level produces a higher score.
Official site: englishtest.duolingo.com. Always confirm current format, fees and requirements there before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted everywhere?
Acceptance has grown fast but isn't universal. Confirm your specific university and programme accept it, and the minimum score, before booking.
How does the DET score compare to IELTS?
Roughly, DET 120 ≈ IELTS 7.0 and DET 105 ≈ IELTS 6.5, but each university publishes its own equivalence — always use theirs.
Why is it so much cheaper?
It's fully automated and taken at home, with no test centre, examiner or paper, which keeps the cost near US$65.