What Is the Duolingo English Test? A 2026 Guide to Fees, Scores and Preparation

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency exam used by accepting universities and programs. It takes about an hour, requires no trip to a test center and usually returns results within 48 hours. This guide explains fees, question types, scoring, recognition, equipment, registration and preparation.

Facts checked on October 22, 2026. Check official information for current fees, question types and equipment requirements.

If your program accepts DET, you can take it on a suitable computer in a compliant environment. First confirm the program's score requirements, then check your equipment and the proctoring rules. Taking an exam at home saves travel; it does not make the rules less strict.

An official article updated in June 2026 reports more than 6,500 accepting programs. That means programs, not 6,500 universities, and it does not imply that every department at an institution accepts the test. (Accepting programs, updated June 2026)

AI-generated illustration, not an exam screenshot or a demonstration of an approved proctoring setup.

1. What is the Duolingo English Test?

DET is an online English proficiency exam developed by Duolingo. It assesses reading, writing, listening and speaking, giving universities and other institutions a standardized measure of an applicant's English.

It uses computer-adaptive testing and can be taken at home under the required conditions. Unlike a language course, its purpose is to assess your skills and provide a formal result.

For example, if a US university and your specific program accept DET, meeting their score requirement may let you submit DET instead of another English test. Acceptance by some programs does not imply acceptance by all universities, departments or visa categories. Always check the latest program requirements before paying.

Visit the official DET website.

2. How is DET different from the Duolingo app?

The learning app and DET are separate products. Duolingo teaches through lessons, XP, leaderboards and streaks. DET assesses proficiency so that you can share a certified result with accepting institutions.

Feature	Duolingo learning app	Duolingo English Test
Purpose	Learn and practice	Demonstrate English proficiency
Cost	Free courses and paid subscriptions	Paid formal exam
Content	Languages, math, music and more	Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Devices	Mobile, tablet and web	Suitable computer and monitoring equipment
Certified DET score	No	Yes, when certified
Admissions use	Normally not a formal language certificate	Accepted by participating programs
Subscription	Optional	Separate from learning memberships

Buying Super or Max does not automatically include a free DET attempt. Completing app lessons does not certify your English. For daily learning features, see the Duolingo guide.

3. Why do students choose DET?

Taking the test at home

You do not have to travel to a physical test center. This may save transport, accommodation and time, especially if you live far from a center. You still need a suitable computer, phone, connection and private space. Equipment or conduct problems can prevent certification.

A shorter test

The full process takes about an hour, including onboarding, adaptive tasks and open-ended writing and speaking. A shorter exam can be easier to schedule around work or study; it does not mean the language tasks are easy.

Faster results

The official help center says results are normally available within two days. Certification depends on review, so do not treat 48 hours as a guarantee that a usable score will arrive. Technical issues or an unsuccessful certification can affect your plans. Avoid taking the test the day before an application deadline. (Result timing)

Cost and score sharing

The official DET blog lists a US$70 reference fee for one test. This can be cheaper than some alternatives, and sharing certified results with accepting institutions generally does not involve a separate fee for each school. Check your checkout total and the current sharing process.

Adaptive assessment

The difficulty of some questions changes according to performance. Strong answers may lead to harder material; other answers help the system locate a different proficiency level. Not every task changes immediately after the previous answer, and the score is not simply a percentage of correct responses.

4. How much does DET cost?

As checked for this article, the official blog lists US$70 per test. Location, taxes, payment arrangements, bundles and optional services can affect the amount you pay. (Reference fee)

Item	Fee or rule
Formal test	US$70 reference fee per test
Official practice test	Free
Sharing certified results	Generally free; up to 25 institutions through your account
Faster Results	May cost extra; check checkout
Bundles	Availability and price depend on the official offer
Result validity	Two years

A purchase does not give unlimited attempts. Official rules state that a credit is valid for 21 days from purchase and you may buy up to three tests in any 30-day period. Purchase limits and eligibility to retry after an uncertified attempt are separate issues. (Rules and requirements)

If a result is not certified, read the reason and the options shown in your account before buying again. Prepare your equipment and complete an official practice test before purchasing.

5. What happens during the test?

Allow about an hour without interruptions for the test. Prepare your room and equipment beforehand, and leave extra time for setup and uploading your test. (Test structure)

Stage	What happens
Introduction and onboarding	Check devices, submit ID, set up the phone camera and review rules
Adaptive test	Complete different question types; some difficulty adjusts to performance
Writing and speaking	Respond to open-ended prompts; samples are shared with institutions

The current official structure does not assign fixed 5-, 45- and 10-minute blocks to those stages. Set up your equipment and room in advance and allow some margin in your schedule.

During onboarding, you need acceptable government-issued photo ID, a working computer camera and audio equipment, and a phone camera. The phone is for monitoring, not answering. Follow instructions for scans and positioning before starting.

Question types are interspersed rather than always following separate listening, reading, writing and speaking papers. At the end, Writing Sample and Speaking Sample are shared with institutions that receive your results. Both are listed as scored open-response tasks in the official scoring guidance; take them as seriously as the rest of the exam. (Scoring open responses and samples)

6. Which question types are included?

Question types and frequency can change. Check the official structure before preparing.

Read and Select

Decide whether the word shown is a real English word. Recognizing spelling and word forms matters, not just remembering a translation.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete a partially missing word in a sentence using meaning, spelling and context.

Read and Complete

Fill missing letters in a passage. You need to understand the text and use vocabulary and grammar clues. Reading varied short texts is more useful than memorizing fixed answers.

Listen and Type

Type what you hear. Understanding the overall meaning is not enough if you omit articles, prepositions or word endings. Short dictation practice can help.

Interactive Reading

Complete several tasks around a passage: fill gaps, answer comprehension questions, connect ideas and identify the main point. For example, a text about the environment may require both sentence completion and selecting an appropriate title.

Interactive Listening

Follow a simulated conversation about academic or everyday situations, understand information, select responses and complete follow-up tasks.

Write About the Photo

Describe an image in writing, including relevant people, actions and surroundings. A picture of people cycling in a park gives you several details to organize. Show your range without forcing complex sentences that you cannot use accurately.

Speak About the Photo

Describe an image aloud. Content, fluency, pronunciation and organization matter. practice with ordinary photos so that describing a scene feels familiar.

Interactive Writing

Write about a topic, then develop your answer in response to a follow-up prompt. You may need to explain an opinion, add reasons or give an example. Keep the response relevant and coherent.

Interactive Speaking

Respond orally to a sequence of questions. practice understanding a prompt and forming an answer in real time, rather than relying on memorized speeches.

Read, Then Speak

Read a written prompt and speak about it, for example describing a trip or explaining why you enjoy an activity. Aim for a connected response that answers the question.

Writing Sample and Speaking Sample

These show a fuller example of your writing and speaking, are scored and are shared with receiving institutions. Complete them with the same care as the other tasks.

Task	Main skill
Read and Select	Vocabulary recognition
Fill in the Blanks	Vocabulary, spelling and context
Read and Complete	Reading, vocabulary and grammar
Listen and Type	Listening and spelling
Interactive Reading	Reading comprehension
Interactive Listening	Understanding a conversation
Write About the Photo	Written description
Speak About the Photo	Spoken description
Interactive Writing	Developing a written response
Interactive Speaking	Spoken interaction
Read, Then Speak	Organizing a spoken response
Writing Sample	Extended writing
Speaking Sample	Extended speaking

7. How are scores calculated?

DET reports scores from 10 to 160 in five-point increments. You receive an overall score, four individual subscores and four integrated subscores. (Scoring) (CEFR alignment)

The overall score is based on the average of the four individual subscores, reported in five-point bands under the official rounding rules. It is not simply the proportion of questions you got right. Objective tasks are graded for correctness, while speaking and writing also consider content, vocabulary, grammar, coherence, fluency and pronunciation as appropriate.

Individual subscore	Skill
Reading	Reading comprehension
Writing	Written expression
Listening	Listening comprehension
Speaking	Spoken expression

Integrated subscore	Skills combined
Literacy	Reading and writing
Comprehension	Reading and listening
Conversation	Listening and speaking
Production	Writing and speaking

A total of 125 with a much lower Speaking subscore may still fall short of a program's requirement. Check both overall and individual requirements.

The official CEFR explanation gives these ranges:

DET score	CEFR level	Broad description
60–95	B1	Handles familiar everyday communication
100–125	B2	Understands more complex material and communicates independently
130–150	C1	Uses English proficiently across demanding situations
155–160	C2	Very high proficiency in understanding and expression

A score of 120 falls in B2; 130 falls in C1. Neither level guarantees admission. Set your target using the program's published requirements, including any subscore thresholds.

8. Which universities accept DET?

The official article updated in June 2026 reports more than 6,500 accepting programs. Use this as evidence of broad adoption, not as a claim that every department at every listed institution accepts DET.

In the United States, universities, graduate schools and departments may have separate requirements. A university's undergraduate admissions office accepting DET does not establish acceptance for its master's or doctoral programs.

In Canada, check the exact qualification, program and intake. Admission requirements and study-permit or other immigration requirements should be checked separately.

In the United Kingdom, distinguish degree courses, language programs and other routes. University acceptance does not automatically establish acceptance for every visa purpose.

Use the official institution search, then:

1. Read the university's own current language requirements.
2. Confirm the program, degree level and intake.
3. Record the minimum overall score and any subscore requirements.
4. Check the deadline and delivery method.
5. Verify separate requirements for a visa or any other intended use.

For a computer science master's, for example, consult that program's current admissions page rather than relying on the university name in a general list. The program's policy is the deciding source.

9. DET, IELTS or TOEFL?

All three assess English proficiency, but their formats, score scales, uses and recognition differ.

Comparison	DET	IELTS	TOEFL
Main use	Proof of English proficiency for accepting programs	Study, work, migration and other uses	Academic English requirements
Format	Remotely proctored online test	Depends on version and location	Test centers and supported home formats
Duration	About one hour	Depends on version and format	Check the current version
Results	Usually within 48 hours	Depends on format	Depends on format
Scale	10–160	0–9	Current 1–6 scale
Booking	Purchase online; no physical test slot	Select date and format	Select date and format
Recognition	More than 6,500 programs reported	Broad; verify your purpose	Broad; verify your program
Fee	US$70 reference fee	Varies by location	Varies by location

ETS introduced the updated TOEFL iBT scale on January 21, 2026. Check the version you will take and the institution's current requirements when comparing scores. (TOEFL update for 2026)

DET can be convenient if all your target programs accept it and you can meet the home-testing rules. IELTS or TOEFL may suit applications with different recognition or additional certification needs. Check acceptance before paying, not after.

10. What equipment do you need?

Unlike the learning app, the formal test requires an appropriate computer and the official desktop application. (Devices and operating systems)

Device or system	Formal test support
Windows 10 or later computer	Supported, subject to checks
macOS 10.15 or later Mac	Supported, subject to checks
Linux	Not supported
Chromebook / ChromeOS	Not supported
iPad or Android tablet	Not supported for answering
Phone alone	Not supported for answering
Smartphone as a secondary camera	Required

You need a working computer camera, microphone and speakers, a suitable smartphone, stable internet, acceptable photo ID and a quiet, private, well-lit room. Run the current official equipment check before purchasing.

The phone camera must capture the required view, including your head, shoulders, screen and keyboard, as instructed. Do not use it for messages or information during the test.

Remove headphones and earbuds. Use the required speakers and microphone. Remove extra screens and unnecessary devices from the testing area. Official rules prohibit VPNs, virtual machines and remote-control software; also disable predictive text, spelling and grammar assistance, and similar tools.

11. Which rules affect certification?

Home testing comes with strict conduct and environment requirements. Even if your English is strong enough, technical problems or rule violations can prevent certification. (Rules and requirements)

Take the test alone. Nobody should enter, help or communicate with you. Keep your attention on the screen, apart from looking at the keyboard while typing. Repeated or prolonged looking away can affect review.

Do not take notes or use reference material. Remove paper, notes and books. practice without a pen if note-taking is part of your usual study routine.

Close other programs, including browsers, messaging, streaming and remote desktop tools. Disable input suggestions, proofreading and tools such as Grammarly. Do not use ChatGPT, Claude, translators or other unauthorized assistance. They may help during preparation, never during the formal test.

Keep the phone camera stable and connected. Charge the phone, use a suitable stand and follow official setup instructions; interruptions or an obstructed view can prevent certification.

If your result is not certified, read the official email and account notice. Depending on the reason, you may be offered a retry, support, an appeal or a new purchase. Do not keep retaking the test without understanding the issue.

12. How to register and take the test

1. Confirm acceptance. Check your program's minimum scores and deadline before buying.
2. Create or access your DET account. Use your own regular email and personal details matching your ID.
3. Take the free official practice test. Familiarize yourself with tasks and get an estimated level before paying.
4. Purchase the test. The reference fee is US$70; check the price shown at checkout. Use the credit within its validity period.
5. Download the official desktop app from the DET download page. The formal exam is not completed entirely in a normal browser.
6. Prepare the room and devices. Have your ID, computer and phone ready, remove extra equipment and close disallowed software.
7. Complete setup and the test. Follow every on-screen instruction. Do not leave, communicate with others or use unauthorized tools.
8. Wait for review and results. Results normally arrive within 48 hours. Optional Faster Results has its own fee and terms.
9. Send certified results. Use the official sharing process, and check whether the program also requires information in its application portal.

13. How should you prepare?

A short test still assesses actual proficiency. Familiarity with question types cannot replace vocabulary, comprehension and expression. Prepare both your English and your command of the test format.

Start with an official practice test

Compare the estimated range with your target. If you need 130 but score around 95–105 in practice, broad language development matters more than a few tips. If you are already near the target, focus on consistency, pacing and equipment. Practice estimates are not certified results or score guarantees.

Reading

Work on word forms, meaning in context and connections between paragraphs. Read suitable short texts daily and summarize their main ideas. Gradually add science, news and academic material if your level allows.

Listening

Combine comprehension with short dictation. Listen to a 20–30-second passage, type or retell it and compare with a transcript. Check articles, prepositions, tense and endings. Include different accents and speaking speeds.

Writing

practice planning and writing within a time limit. A daily 100–150-word paragraph is one exercise you can use; it is a preparation example, not an official word requirement. Check the claim, reasons, examples, links between sentences and accuracy. Clear writing is more useful than forcing advanced vocabulary.

Speaking

Spend around 10–15 minutes practicing aloud as a manageable routine. Describe a photo, answer an unfamiliar everyday question or hold a practice conversation. Avoid relying on memorized templates. An AI assistant can generate prompts, but its feedback is not always accurate; compare with reliable pronunciation materials or a teacher's advice.

Equipment

Check the OS, camera, microphone, phone view, connection, ID, closed programs and room. A technical interruption can waste an opportunity even when your English is ready.

14. How long does preparation take?

It depends on your starting point and target. Someone close to the requirement may need mostly format practice; a substantial gap calls for longer language development. No fixed plan guarantees 120 or 130.

Current position	Priority
Practice range near target	Task familiarity, consistency and equipment
Some distance from target	Weak skills and regular reassessment
Limited vocabulary or listening	More vocabulary, reading and listening input
Weak speaking or writing	Daily output and feedback
Deadline approaching	Check requirements and leave scheduling margin

A four-week schedule can help organize work:

• Week 1: take a practice test, learn the tasks and identify weak areas. Poor dictation may indicate listening gaps; very short answers may call for speaking practice.
• Week 2: give extra time to weak skills while maintaining reading, listening and output practice.
• Week 3: use timed, mixed tasks to practice pacing and organizing answers. Check the entire technical setup.
• Week 4: take another practice test and assess consistency. Schedule the formal exam when ready, and protect your sleep before test day.

This is a way to structure preparation, not a promise of a particular gain in one month.

15. How long are results valid, and how do you send them?

Certified results are valid for two years. During that period, you can share them through the official system with accepting institutions. After expiry, you cannot continue sharing the result or viewing its certificate, and institutions cannot view the expired certificate. (Result validity)

Plan around your actual application date: taking a test two years before applying can leave you with an expired or nearly expired score. Score sharing generally does not cost extra per institution, but each program decides how it accepts results and whether you must complete additional portal steps.

Score sharing is generally free, but self-service sharing is limited to 25 institutions. You can add institutions later if you initially select fewer. To send results to more than 25, contact support; approval is not guaranteed. Rechecked October 23, 2026. (Sharing results and the 25-institution limit)

16. Who should consider DET?

DET may suit applicants whose exact programs accept it, who want to limit exam and travel costs, live far from test centers or need relatively quick results. Those advantages depend on having reliable internet, suitable devices and a compliant room.

It is less suitable when a target program does not accept it or when you cannot meet the home-testing requirements. For immigration, visas or professional certification, check the relevant authority separately. A fast result is not a guarantee of timely certification or institutional processing.

17. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is DET free?

No. The published reference fee is US$70 per test. Official practice tests are free.

Can I take it at home?

Yes, on a suitable Windows or Mac computer in a room that meets the rules.

Can I take it on my phone?

No. You answer on a supported computer; a smartphone serves as the required secondary camera.

Does it support Linux?

No. The formal test does not support Linux or ChromeOS.

When will I get results?

Normally within 48 hours, subject to review and certification.

What is the maximum score?

160, on a 10–160 scale reported in five-point increments.

Is 120 a good score?

It falls within B2. Whether it is sufficient depends on the program's overall and subscore requirements.

What level is 130?

It falls within C1. Check the institution's separate requirements rather than treating that level as an admission guarantee.

How long is the result valid?

Two years.

Do US universities accept DET?

Many programs do, but acceptance varies by institution, department and degree level.

Can DET replace IELTS or TOEFL?

For an application that explicitly accepts DET, it may serve as proof of English proficiency. It does not replace those tests for every institution or purpose.

Can I use ChatGPT or a translator during the test?

No. Unauthorized AI tools, translation software and reference material can prevent certification. Use them only for preparation.

Can I retake it?

That depends on purchase limits, your result and the reason for any unsuccessful certification. Read your account notice before retaking or buying again.

Can I use it for UK or Canadian applications?

Some universities and programs accept it. Verify the exact program and any separate visa requirements.

Is it easier than IELTS or TOEFL?

Not inherently. Formats, scoring and delivery differ; some candidates prefer DET's short tasks, while others suit another exam better.

18. Choosing the right test

If your programs accept DET and you can meet its testing conditions, it is worth comparing with IELTS and TOEFL. Its short format and quick processing can reduce scheduling burdens, but neither guarantees certification or admission.

Confirm recognition, overall and subscore requirements, then take a practice test, prepare and schedule with time for review or a necessary retry. Work on real proficiency as well as task familiarity and rules. A four-week plan organizes the work; progress depends on your starting level and practice.

References

Sources used for this guide. Features, fees and recognition can change; check the current official conditions.

• DET website
• Official practice test
• Institution search
• Desktop app download
• Test structure
• Rules and requirements
• Scoring
• CEFR alignment
• Help center
• DET blog
• Reference fee
• Accepting programs, updated June 2026
• Devices and operating systems
• Scoring open responses and samples
• Individual and integrated subscores
• Result timing
• Result validity
• TOEFL update for 2026
• Sharing results and the 25-institution limit