Duolingo English Test Price 2026 — Quick Answer
| What You're Paying For | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 test — standard price | $70 USD |
| 2-test bundle (best value) | $118 USD ($59 per test) |
| Fast results (within 12 hours) | +$40 USD optional add-on |
| Score sharing to universities | Free |
| Retake fee | $70 (or $59 via bundle) |
| Rescheduling fee | $0 — take any time within 21 days of purchase |
| Score validity | 2 years from test date |
| Payment methods | Credit/debit card or Alipay |
The Duolingo English Test price is the same in every country. Local taxes may apply in some regions — for example, 15% in New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, and 10% in Japan. Your final checkout price on the official Duolingo site will always show the exact amount for your location before you confirm payment.
What Does the Duolingo English Test Fee Include?
The $70 Duolingo English Test fee covers the complete end-to-end testing experience — no mandatory add-ons or surprise charges after payment:
- Full 60-minute adaptive exam — all question types across the adaptive and sample sections
- AI and human proctoring — automated monitoring plus human review for certification
- Certified results within 48 hours — delivered directly to your account
- Free score sharing — send results to universities at no extra cost
- Four subscores included — Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production
- 21-day window to take the test — no pressure to sit immediately after purchase
The only optional paid add-on is fast-track results for an extra $40 USD, delivering your certified score within 12 hours instead of the standard 48. This is useful for urgent application deadlines. It is not required for standard use.
Duolingo English Test Price by Country (2026)
The base Duolingo English Test price is $70 USD globally. Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, which vary by test center location, the DET has a single worldwide price. Local taxes are added at checkout in some countries:
| Region / Country | DET Price at Checkout |
|---|---|
| United States, Morocco, UAE, most of Africa & Asia | $70 USD |
| Eurozone (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.) | ~€60 EUR (approx. $65 USD) |
| Australia, Japan | ~$77 USD (10% local tax) |
| New Zealand, Saudi Arabia | ~$80.50 USD (15% local tax) |
| Canada | ~$79.10 USD (GST included) |
| India | ~INR 6,400 |
| Brazil | ~BRL 367 |
Your exact checkout price is shown in your local currency before you confirm payment on the official Duolingo English Test website.
Duolingo English Test Cost vs. IELTS and TOEFL (2026)
The DET cost is significantly lower than every major alternative. That gap compounds further when you factor in travel, retake costs, and per-report score delivery fees:
| Exam | Base Fee (USD) | Extra Score Reports | Travel Required | Results Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duolingo (DET) | $70 | Free (unlimited) | No — taken from home | 48 hours (12-hr option +$40) |
| IELTS Academic | $220 – $260 | $20–$40 per TRF | Yes — physical test center | 1–13 days |
| TOEFL iBT | $185 – $255 | $20 per additional report | Yes — physical test center | 4–8 days |
| PTE Academic | $175 – $220 | Varies | Yes — physical test center | 1–5 days |
For students applying to 8–10 universities, the DET's free score sharing saves an additional $150–$300 compared to IELTS per-report fees. Combined with zero travel costs, the total real-world saving versus IELTS is typically $200–$400 per test cycle.
For a full breakdown, see our dedicated DET vs IELTS cost comparison article.
How to Pay the Duolingo English Test Fee
- Go to englishtest.duolingo.com and create a free account (or log in).
- Click "Purchase a Test" — choose 1 test ($70) or the 2-test bundle ($118).
- Complete identity verification with a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Pay by credit/debit card or Alipay. No other payment methods are accepted.
- Once payment is confirmed, you have 21 days to take the test at any time.
Important: The Duolingo English Test fee is non-refundable. If you purchase and do not take the test within 21 days, the fee is forfeited. There are no extensions. Purchase only when you are ready to test within three weeks.
Are There Hidden Fees? (Duolingo English Test Price Breakdown)
No — the $70 Duolingo English Test price covers everything required to take, certify, and share your results. Three things can catch people off guard:
- Local taxes at checkout. The $70 base price may increase by 10–15% depending on your country. Always check the final checkout screen.
- The fast-track results add-on. Standard results within 48 hours are included. The optional 12-hour service costs an additional $40 — it is listed clearly at checkout and is not applied automatically.
- Retakes are separate purchases. Each score-improvement retake is a new $70 purchase (or $59 each via the bundle).
How Much Does a Duolingo English Test Retake Cost?
Each retake is a separate purchase at the same price: $70 per test, or $59 per test if you buy the two-test bundle ($118). You can purchase up to three tests within any 30-day period. You must receive your certified result before purchasing another test — you cannot sit two tests simultaneously.
Best-value retake strategy: If there is any chance you will need a second attempt, buy the two-test bundle upfront ($118) rather than two individual tests ($140). You save $22 and the second test is ready when you need it.
How Much Does It Cost to Send DET Scores to Universities?
Score sharing is free. After receiving your certified results, you can send them to unlimited universities through your Duolingo account at no extra charge. This is one of the DET's most significant practical advantages over IELTS, which includes only 5 free Test Report Form copies and charges for additional deliveries. For students applying to 10 or more programs, the DET's free sharing model alone can represent a saving of $100–$200.
Is the Duolingo English Test Price Worth It?
For university admissions — yes, for most students. At $70, the DET price is roughly one-third the cost of IELTS, takes one hour instead of nearly three, delivers results in 48 hours instead of up to 13 days, and eliminates all travel and score-delivery costs. It is accepted by over 5,700 institutions worldwide, including 97 of the top 100 US universities.
The key limitation: the DET is not accepted for immigration purposes. It is not recognized for UK visa (SELT requirements), Canadian permanent residency, or Australian visa applications. For those pathways, IELTS or another UKVI-approved test is required regardless of price. For university admissions only, the DET offers the strongest cost-to-value ratio among all major English proficiency exams.
The most common reason students pay for a retake is arriving unprepared — not the test itself. Prepingo's Practice Arena simulates all DET question types with instant AI feedback — start practicing free before booking your test.
Advanced Vocabulary for Writing About Costs and Value
If a DET Writing Sample or Interactive Writing prompt covers education costs or financial access, these C1/C2 terms will elevate your response:
| Basic Term | C1/C2 Upgrade | Example in an Essay |
|---|---|---|
| cheap / affordable | cost-effective, financially accessible, competitively priced | "The DET represents a more financially accessible pathway for students from lower-income backgrounds." |
| expensive | prohibitively costly, financially burdensome, fiscally demanding | "Traditional testing fees can be financially burdensome for students in developing economies." |
| save money | reduce expenditure, minimize financial outlay, optimize resource allocation | "Choosing the DET substantially reduces the financial outlay associated with English certification." |
| extra fees | ancillary charges, supplementary costs, administrative disbursements | "IELTS applicants face significant ancillary charges when submitting to multiple institutions." |
| value for money | return on investment, cost-to-value ratio, financial efficiency | "The DET's cost-to-value ratio is unmatched among accredited English proficiency assessments." |
Before You Pay: A 3-Step Readiness Check
- Verify your target university's minimum DET score. Requirements vary — from 95 at some colleges to 130+ at competitive graduate programs.
- Take an official DET mock test. Duolingo provides a free mock at englishtest.duolingo.com/practice. Your mock score is the best predictor of your certified score. If it falls below your target, practice before paying.
- Practice under real exam conditions. The DET involves 60 minutes of adaptive testing with strict proctoring. Practicing with Prepingo's timed mock tests under webcam conditions reduces the risk of a second $70 payment.
The Duolingo English Test price is non-refundable and the test cannot be repeated within the same sitting. Protect your $70 investment by practicing the actual question types under real time limits before you book — not after.
Frequently Asked Questions: Duolingo English Test Price & Fees
What is the Duolingo English Test price in 2026?
The Duolingo English Test price is $70 USD for one attempt. A two-test bundle is $118 USD ($59 per test). The price is the same in every country; local taxes of 10–15% may apply in some regions.
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost?
The Duolingo English Test costs $70 USD per attempt, or $59 per test when purchased as a two-test bundle ($118 total). This price has been in effect since February 11, 2025.
What is the Duolingo English Test fee?
The official Duolingo English Test fee is $70 USD. This covers the full exam, AI and human proctoring, certified results within 48 hours, and free unlimited score sharing. The only additional fee is the optional 12-hour fast-track results service ($40 extra).
How much is the Duolingo English Test in 2026?
The test costs $70 USD as of 2026. The price increased from $65 to $70 on February 11, 2025, and has remained stable since. If you see $59 quoted elsewhere, that refers to the per-test price inside the two-test bundle.
What was the Duolingo English Test price in 2025 vs 2026?
The price increased from $59 to $65 in early 2024, then from $65 to $70 on February 11, 2025. It has remained at $70 through 2026. The $59 figure you may see on older pages reflects either the pre-2025 price or the per-test bundle price.
Is the Duolingo English Test price the same in every country?
Yes — the base price is $70 USD globally. Local taxes may add 10–15% in some countries (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Canada). Your checkout screen shows the final price for your location before you confirm.
How much does it cost to send DET results to universities?
Free. Score sharing is included in the $70 price. There are no per-institution fees, no courier charges, and no limit on how many programs you send to.
Are there hidden fees for the Duolingo English Test?
No mandatory hidden fees. The $70 price covers the full exam, proctoring, certification, and score sharing. The only add-on is the optional 12-hour fast-track results service for $40 extra. Local taxes may apply at checkout.
How much does a DET retake cost?
Each retake is a new $70 purchase, or $59 per test via the $118 two-test bundle. Up to 3 tests can be purchased within any 30-day period. You must receive your certified result before booking a retake.
How does the DET price compare to IELTS?
IELTS Academic costs $220–$260 USD versus $70 for the DET. IELTS also includes only 5 free score reports (additional copies cost extra), requires travel to a physical test center, and takes up to 13 days for results. The DET delivers results in 48 hours, from home, with free unlimited score sharing.
Is the Duolingo English Test fee refundable?
No. The DET fee is non-refundable. If you purchase and do not complete the test within the 21-day window, you lose the fee. Purchase only when you are ready to test within three weeks.
How long is a DET score valid?
Two years from the date of the exam — matching the validity period of IELTS and TOEFL.