The first time I saw “Duolingo English Test” on a university’s admissions page, I thought it was a typo. The app with the green owl? It turns out the DET is a real English proficiency test, and for a lot of applicants it’s the cheapest and fastest option out there.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what I wish I’d known earlier: what the test is, which schools accept it, how to register, what’s on it, how scoring works, and how to close the gap if your practice score isn’t where it needs to be.
If you only have a minute, here’s the whole test in one table:
Each of these points comes with a few details worth knowing, so let’s go through them one by one, starting with setting up your Duolingo account.
What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The DET is an online English proficiency test you take at home. In about an hour, it checks your reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and universities use the result to decide whether your English is strong enough for their programs.
A large part of the test is adaptive: get a question right and the next one gets harder; miss one and it gets easier. That’s why the test can be so short. Instead of giving everyone the same long paper, it zeroes in on your level quickly.
Is the Duolingo English Test Right for You? (DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL)
Before you pay for anything, it’s worth checking whether DET is really your best option. Here’s how it compares with IELTS and TOEFL, the two tests most schools also accept:
As the table shows, DET wins on price, convenience, and speed. Where it can fall short is acceptance, so your target schools should decide this, not the price tag alone.
From what I’ve seen, DET is usually the smart choice if:
- Every school on your list accepts it.
- You’re on a tight budget, especially if you might need a retake.
- There’s no test center near you, or the available dates don’t fit your deadlines.
- You need a score fast because an application deadline is close.
On the other hand, IELTS or TOEFL may be the safer choice if:
- Even one of your target programs doesn’t list DET.
- You also need the score for immigration or professional registration, where DET is rarely accepted.
Visas are a common worry, so here’s the short version. DET is accepted for student visas in the US, Ireland, and New Zealand. For the UK, Canada, and Australia, it depends on whether your university accepts it and how you apply, so confirm with your school’s international office.
Which Universities Accept the Duolingo English Test?
Today, more than 6,500 institutions and programs worldwide accept DET. That includes all eight Ivy League schools, every member of Canada’s U15 group of research universities, and about 95% of the top 100 undergraduate programs in the US.
Still, “widely accepted” isn’t the same as “accepted everywhere.” Some big names, such as the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and UT Austin, don’t accept it. And even when a university accepts DET, a specific graduate program may not.
Before booking, this is the four-step check I’d do:
- You can search for your university in the official DET institution directory.
- Open the admissions page for your exact program, not just the university’s general page.
- Write down the minimum overall score and any subscore minimums.
- Check which application cycle the policy applies to, since requirements can change from year to year.
How to Register for the Duolingo English Test
Registration is done entirely online and takes about 10 minutes. My favorite part is that there are no test dates to book: you buy the test and take it whenever you’re ready, as long as it’s before the deadline.
Who Can Take the DET?
There are no academic requirements. You need a valid government-issued photo ID, and it has to be the physical document, because photos and copies aren’t accepted. If you’re under 13 (or under your country’s age of consent), a parent or guardian has to give permission through Duolingo’s support team.
Step-by-Step Registration
From sign-up to sending your scores, the process looks like this:
- Create an account on the official DET website.
- Buy a single test or a two-test bundle.
- Start your test within 21 days of buying it.
- Get your results in about two days, then send them to your schools.
If you buy the bundle, you get another 21 days after your first result to take the second test. Also note that you can buy at most three tests in any 30-day period.
How Much Does the Duolingo English Test Cost?
One test costs $70 USD. The base price is the same everywhere, but some countries add local tax at checkout. On top of that, here are the other costs (and savings) to know about:
- Two-test bundle: costs less per test than buying two tests separately, which is handy if you expect a retake.
- Faster Results: an optional add-on that cuts the wait to about 12 hours. It’s non-refundable and doesn’t guarantee your test will be certified.
- Sending scores: free, to any number of schools.
- Fee waivers: available through the Access Program, but a school counselor or administrator has to request one for you. Students can’t apply on their own.
What You Need on Test Day
Most of the invalidated tests I’ve heard about came down to setup problems, not English. Before you start, make sure you have:
- A Mac or Windows computer with the DET desktop app installed, plus a working webcam, microphone, and speakers.
- A smartphone with a camera, which you’ll set up as a second camera. Keep it fully charged or plugged in.
- An internet connection of at least 2 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. Avoid mobile hotspots.
- Your physical photo ID.
- A quiet, well-lit, private room and one uninterrupted hour.
Duolingo English Test Format and Question Types
The test takes about an hour and is split into three parts. Knowing what happens in each one helps you pace yourself:
Heads-up: Don’t treat the last part as a warm-down. The Writing Sample counts toward your Writing subscore and the Speaking Sample counts toward your Speaking subscore, and schools can watch your speaking video.
Within the 45-minute section, you’ll see a mix of question types. These are the ones currently on the test:
Time limits are tight. Read and Select gives you only a few seconds per word, so speed matters as much as accuracy. That shapes how you should prepare, which I’ll explain below.
Duolingo English Test Scores Explained
Your score comes on a 10–160 scale, in steps of 5. The overall score is the average of your four skill subscores, rounded up to the nearest 5.
Score Range and Subscores
Besides the overall score, your score report includes two groups of subscores:
- Individual subscores: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
- Integrated subscores: Literacy (Reading + Writing), Comprehension (Reading + Listening), Conversation (Speaking + Listening), and Production (Speaking + Writing).
Some programs set minimums for subscores as well as the overall score, so a strong total won’t make up for one weak skill. Check both before you book.
DET to IELTS and TOEFL Score Conversion
If your school only lists IELTS or TOEFL requirements, Duolingo’s official score comparison tells you what DET score you need. Here are the key levels:
One more thing about the TOEFL column: TOEFL switched to a new 1–6 scale in January 2026, but Duolingo’s comparison is still based on the 0–120 scale. If your school lists a 0–120 TOEFL score, use this table as it is.
What Is a Good Duolingo English Test Score?
A “good” score is simply the one your program asks for. As a rough guide, many universities set their minimum somewhere around 100–120, and competitive programs often ask for 120–130 or higher.
Reality check: Take the free official practice test and compare your score with your target. If you’re 10 or more points short, test tricks won’t close that gap. You need stronger everyday English, meaning vocabulary, listening, and reading speed. I explain how in the prep section below.
How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test
Preparing for the DET comes down to two things: knowing the format, and having English strong enough to reach your target. Each needs a different tool, so I’d tackle them in this order.
Step 1: Take the Free Official Practice Test
Start with the free practice test on the official DET website. You can take it as many times as you like, and it gives you an estimated score. Take it under real conditions: timed, with no notes and no headphones, so your starting score is realistic.
Step 2: Build Daily English Habits
Because the DET is fast and adaptive, it rewards English you can use automatically. When you have only seconds to spot a fake word or one minute to type a sentence, cramming won’t help. That kind of speed comes from daily exposure.
In my experience, 15–20 minutes a day beats a three-hour session on the weekend. The tricky part isn’t knowing this. It’s actually keeping it up every day for a month.
Can the Duolingo App Help You Prepare?
Where the app does help is with the daily habit. The English course drills vocabulary, listening, and reading in short lessons, and the streak keeps you coming back, which is the hardest part of preparing over several weeks.
If you’re practicing every day, Super Duolingo removes most of the things that slow you down:
- No ads: no breaks between lessons.
- Unlimited Hearts: mistakes don’t lock you out, so you can keep practicing as long as you like.
- Personalized practice: extra lessons built around the mistakes you’ve made.
- Unlimited Legendary challenges: harder levels to really lock in what you’ve learned.
The catch is the cost when you’re already paying $70 for the test. I got mine through GamsGo: a 12-month Super Duolingo plan is $19.99 (about $1.67 a month), and 6 months is $13.49.
It’s a seat in a shared Family Group. You join through an invitation link using your own Duolingo account, so your progress and streak stay yours.
A 4-Week DET Study Plan
Putting both steps together, here’s a simple four-week plan:
If your Week 4 practice score is close to your target, book the real test. If it isn’t, add another week or two of daily practice before you spend $70.
Section-by-Section Tips
The plan covers what to practice. These tips cover how to answer each skill on test day:
- Reading: In Read and Select, only click words you’re sure are real, because choosing fake words counts against you.
- Listening: In Listen and Type, include the small words like “a” and “the.” Answers get partial credit, so every word counts.
- Writing: Spend the first few seconds planning. Answers are scored on content, coherence, grammar, and vocabulary, so a clear structure and varied words both help.
- Speaking: Keep talking until close to the time limit. Fluency and pronunciation are scored along with content, grammar, and vocabulary, so long silences hurt.
Common Mistakes That Can Invalidate Your Test
Even a great score is useless if your test isn’t certified. Proctors review every recording, and these are the rules people break most often:
- Looking away from the screen, except when typing.
- Wearing headphones or earbuds.
- Taking notes or recording the questions.
- Letting anyone else into the room, or talking to anyone.
- Using a VPN, a virtual machine, or assistive software.
- Covering your face or ears, for example with hair or a hat.
Duolingo English Test Results, Retakes, and Sending Scores
Results usually arrive within 48 hours, or about 12 hours with Faster Results. You can add Faster Results when you buy the test, before you start, or up to one hour after you finish.
Once your results are certified, these are the rules to remember:
- Validity: scores are valid for two years.
- Sending: free, to as many schools as you like.
- Retakes: you can buy up to three tests in any 30-day period.
If you’re planning a retake, use the time between tests for daily practice rather than rushing into the next attempt. Even a couple of extra weeks can be enough to move up a score band.
Conclusion: Make the Duolingo English Test Work for You
The DET is one of the easiest ways to prove your English: about one hour, $70, taken at home, with results in two days. Its value depends on one thing, though: whether your target programs accept it.
If I were starting from scratch today, these are the steps I’d follow:
- Confirm that every program on your list accepts DET, and note the minimum scores.
- Take the free official practice test to see where you stand.
- If you’re short of your target, practice a little every day for a few weeks.
- Book the real test once your practice score is close to your target.
For that daily-practice step, the cheapest setup I’ve found is buying a Duolingo account through GamsGo: no ads, unlimited Hearts, and lessons based on your mistakes, for less than $2 a month. Good luck with your applications!
Super Duolingo · 6/12 Months
$19.99 (about $1.67/month) · Mobile, PC, Mac & Web
Get Super Duolingo on GamsGo
Not affiliated with the Duolingo English Test.
Duolingo English Test FAQs
Is the Duolingo English Test Free?
No. Each test costs $70 USD, and some countries add local tax at checkout. What is free is the official practice test, which you can take as many times as you like. If cost is a real barrier, ask your school counselor about an Access Program fee waiver, since students can’t request one on their own.
Can I Take the Duolingo English Test on My Phone?
No. The test has to be taken on a Mac or Windows computer using the DET desktop app, with a working webcam, microphone, and speakers. Your phone still matters, though: it’s set up as a second camera to record your space, so keep it fully charged or plugged in for the whole test.
How Hard Is the Duolingo English Test?
Because the test is adaptive, it keeps adjusting until the questions feel challenging for you, whatever your level. In my view, the real difficulty is speed: some tasks give you only seconds per item, so English you have to stop and think about will hurt you more than hard vocabulary.
Is the Duolingo English Test Accepted for Visas?
Yes for student visas in the US, Ireland, and New Zealand. For the UK, Canada, and Australia, it depends on whether your university accepts DET and how you apply. Visa rules change often, so confirm with your school’s international office before you rely on a DET score for your visa.
Related Articles:
-39f4deaa-3fc1-4938-88cb-fa2440af338a.png){kind=small}
