DET vs IELTS: At a Glance (2026)
| Factor | Duolingo English Test (DET) | IELTS Academic | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | $70 USD (global) | $215–$310 USD (US); up to $410 (Middle East) | ✅ DET |
| Duration | ~60 minutes | 2 hrs 45 min + Speaking (11–14 min separate) | ✅ DET |
| Test location | Home — any quiet room with webcam + secondary phone camera | Physical test center (IELTS Online available in select countries) | ✅ DET |
| Scheduling | On demand — anytime within 21 days of purchase | Up to 4 dates/month; book 2–4 weeks in advance | ✅ DET |
| Results speed | 48 hours (12-hr fast-track for +$40) | 1–5 days (computer) / up to 13 days (paper) | ✅ DET |
| Score reporting | Free — unlimited institutions | 5 free TRFs; $10–40 per additional copy | ✅ DET |
| Question types | 13 question types (as of July 2025 update) | 4 sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) | 🔵 Different approach |
| Test format | Computer-adaptive (IRT) — all skills integrated | Fixed — same questions for all candidates, skills separated | 🔵 Depends on preference |
| Score scale | 10–160 (in 5-point increments) | 0–9 bands (in 0.5 increments) | 🔵 Equal |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years | 🔵 Equal |
| University acceptance | 5,700+ institutions worldwide | 12,000+ institutions worldwide | ✅ IELTS |
| UK visa (SELT) | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted (IELTS for UKVI required) | ✅ IELTS |
| Canadian PR (Express Entry) | ❌ Not accepted by IRCC | ✅ Accepted | ✅ IELTS |
| Australian visa | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted | ✅ IELTS |
| Speaking format | Video-recorded to webcam — AI scored + human review | Live face-to-face interview with certified examiner | 🔵 Depends on preference |
| Secondary camera required | ✅ Yes — smartphone secondary camera mandatory (Sept 2025) | ❌ No — physical test center supervision | 🔵 Note before booking |
Which Test Should You Take? (30-Second Decision Guide)
| Your Situation | Take This Test | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| University admissions in US, Canada, or Australia | DET | Accepted by 5,700+ institutions. $70 vs $215–$310. Faster, from home. |
| Applying for a UK student or work visa | IELTS for UKVI | DET is not recognized for UK visa (SELT) requirements. Mandatory IELTS. |
| Canadian permanent residency (Express Entry / SDS) | IELTS General Training | IRCC strictly rejects DET for all immigration pathways. |
| Australian skilled migration or student visa | IELTS | DET not accepted for Australian immigration purposes. |
| Tight deadline — certified result needed within 48 hours | DET | Standard 48-hr results; optional 12-hr fast-track for +$40. |
| Applying to 8+ universities simultaneously | DET | Free unlimited score sharing vs $10–40 per extra IELTS TRF. |
| No IELTS test center nearby | DET | Taken from home — zero travel cost, no center required. |
| Target program explicitly requires IELTS only | IELTS | Some specific programs still require IELTS — always verify before booking. |
| Professional registration (nursing, medical, engineering licensing) | IELTS | Most professional bodies require IELTS. DET rarely accepted for licensing. |
| Budget is primary constraint | DET | At $70, the DET is 3–5× cheaper than IELTS in every market. |
DET Test Format: All 13 Question Types (2026 — Fully Updated)
The DET is a single 60-minute session taken from home, structured in three parts. As of the July 1, 2025 format update, the test contains 13 question types. Read Aloud and Listen, Then Speak were removed; Interactive Speaking was added; and Interactive Listening was significantly expanded.
A secondary smartphone camera is now mandatory (introduced September 2025), positioned to capture your full screen and keyboard throughout the session.
Part 1: Setup (~5 minutes)
ID verification, system check, webcam setup, and secondary camera positioning. The test does not begin until both cameras are confirmed.
Part 2: Adaptive Section (~45 minutes)
All scored question types appear in this section, mixed together and adapting in difficulty based on your real-time performance (IRT algorithm). The 13 question types are:
| Question Type | Skill | What You Do | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read and Select | Reading / Vocabulary | A single word appears for 5 seconds. Click Yes (real English word) or No (invented word). Tests vocabulary recognition. | 15–18 times |
| Fill in the Blanks | Reading / Vocabulary | A short passage with missing words — select the best word from options to complete each blank. Tests vocabulary and reading comprehension in context. | 6–9 times |
| Read and Complete | Reading / Literacy | Sentences with incomplete words — type the missing letters to complete the word. 20 seconds per sentence. Tests spelling and vocabulary at word level. | 3–6 times |
| Interactive Reading | Reading / Comprehension | A passage followed by multiple question subtypes. Appears once as a set. Subtypes include: Complete the Sentence, Complete the Passage, Highlight the Answer (click relevant text), Identify the Idea (summarize in one sentence), and Title the Passage. | 1 set (multiple questions) |
| Listen and Type | Listening / Literacy | A short audio clip plays (with up to 3 replays). Type exactly what you hear. Tests dictation accuracy and spelling. Minor spelling errors are not penalized if meaning is preserved. | 6–9 times |
| Interactive Listening | Listening / Comprehension | Two full conversations — one casual (with a classmate) and one formal (with a professor). Each lasts ~6–7 minutes. You play the role of the student. Subtypes include: Listen and Complete (fill blanks while listening), Listen and Respond (choose best response to the conversation), and Summarise the Conversation. | 2 conversations (multiple questions each) |
| Write About the Photo | Writing / Production | An image appears. Write one or more sentences describing it within 60 seconds. Appears 3 times consecutively. Affects Writing, Literacy, and Production subscores. | 3 times |
| Interactive Writing | Writing / Literacy / Production | Two-phase writing task: Phase 1 — write a response to a prompt (5 minutes, ~120 words). Phase 2 — respond to a follow-up prompt while your Phase 1 answer remains visible (3 minutes, ~80 words). Phase 2 follow-up is pre-written, not AI-generated from your response. | 1 time |
| Speak About the Photo | Speaking / Production | An image appears. Describe it verbally into your webcam. 1–3 minutes (minimum time requirement removed July 2025). Appears once. | 1 time |
| Read, Then Speak | Speaking / Comprehension | Read a short written prompt, then respond verbally — speak about the topic for 1–3 minutes. Appears once. Minimum time requirement removed July 2025. | 1 time |
| Interactive Speaking | Speaking / Conversation | NEW as of July 1, 2025 (replaced Read Aloud and Listen, Then Speak). A multi-turn spoken conversation — 6–8 questions that build on each other. 35 seconds to record each response. Tests spontaneous conversational ability and pragmatic language use. | 1 set (6–8 questions) |
Part 3: Sample Section (~10 minutes — sent to universities)
The final two tasks are unscored by the adaptive algorithm but contribute to your subscores and are sent directly to every institution you share your result with. Admissions officers read and view them.
| Task | Time | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Sample | 5 minutes | Write an essay responding to an academic or personal prompt. 30 seconds of preparation time before writing begins. Aim for 100–130+ words. Minimum time requirement removed July 2025 — submit when ready. |
| Speaking Sample | 1–3 minutes | Respond verbally to a written prompt. Speak directly into your webcam. Minimum time requirement removed July 2025. |
Question types removed from the DET (no longer appear):
- Read Aloud — removed July 1, 2025
- Listen, Then Speak — removed July 1, 2025
- Read, Then Write — removed in an earlier update (pre-2025)
IELTS Academic Format (2026)
IELTS is divided into four separately timed sections — three taken in sequence on the same day, with Speaking usually scheduled separately (within 7 days before or after the written test):
| Section | Duration | Content | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 min (+10 min paper transfer) | 4 recorded sections: 2 conversations + 2 monologues/lectures. Heard once only. Accents include British, Australian, American, NZ English. | 40 questions |
| Reading | 60 min | 3 long academic passages (~2,750 words total) from journals, books, magazines. Question types: True/False/Not Given, matching headings, sentence completion, multiple choice, diagram labelling. | 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 min | Task 1: Describe a graph/chart/diagram (150+ words, ~20 min). Task 2: Academic essay on a social/global topic (250+ words, ~40 min). Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1. | 2 tasks |
| Speaking | 11–14 min | Live interview with a certified examiner. Part 1: Introduction and familiar topics. Part 2: Task card — 1 min prep, 1–2 min monologue. Part 3: Abstract discussion linked to Part 2. Scheduled within 7 days of the written test. | 3 parts |
Unlike the DET, IELTS uses fixed question sets — every candidate at the same test sitting answers identical questions. The format has not changed significantly since 2016, making it highly predictable and well-documented for preparation purposes.
Skill-by-Skill Comparison (2026 DET Format)
Speaking: Interactive AI Conversation vs. Live Human Interview
This is the most significant experiential difference between the two tests — and it changed substantially with the July 2025 DET update.
DET Speaking (2026) now spans four question types: Speak About the Photo (1 time), Read, Then Speak (1 time), Interactive Speaking (1 set of 6–8 questions), and the Speaking Sample (1–3 minutes sent to universities). The new Interactive Speaking task replaced Read Aloud and Listen, Then Speak — it presents a multi-turn spoken dialogue where each of the 6–8 questions builds on the previous one, with 35 seconds to respond to each. This tests spontaneous conversational ability rather than just pronunciation or scripted reading. All responses are recorded and AI-scored, with human proctors reviewing the session for integrity.
IELTS Speaking is a live 11–14 minute interview with a certified examiner. Three parts cover familiar topics, a prepared monologue, and abstract discussion. Human examiners assess fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and pronunciation in real time. Natural conversational flow, clarification, and follow-up questions from the examiner are part of the format.
Verdict: The DET's 2025 update significantly closed the gap with IELTS on speaking — Interactive Speaking now tests real conversational ability, not just reading aloud. That said, IELTS Speaking still involves genuine human interaction. Candidates who perform better with live conversation tend to score higher on IELTS Speaking; those comfortable with short, rapid spoken responses to a camera tend to favor DET.
Writing: Short Adaptive Tasks vs. Extended Academic Essays
DET Writing (2026) spans three question types: Write About the Photo (3 times, 60 seconds each), Interactive Writing (two-phase, 5 min + 3 min), and the Writing Sample (5-minute essay sent to universities). The total writing time is approximately 18 minutes distributed across the session. All writing is typed; a writing sample of 100–130+ words is expected for the essay. The Writing Sample is read directly by admissions officers in addition to being algorithmically scored.
IELTS Writing is a single 60-minute block: Task 1 (graph/diagram description, 150+ words) and Task 2 (essay, 250+ words). Task 2 carries twice the scoring weight. Marked by trained human examiners against official band descriptors covering task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy.
Verdict: DET writing is distributed and shorter per task — better for fast typists under time pressure. IELTS Writing rewards candidates who plan, structure, and develop extended academic arguments with more dedicated time.
Reading: Integrated Adaptive Tasks vs. Three Long Passages
DET Reading (2026) uses four question types: Read and Select (15–18 single-word questions, 5 seconds each), Fill in the Blanks (6–9 questions, passage-level cloze), Read and Complete (3–6 questions, word-level spelling completion), and Interactive Reading (one multi-question passage set with 5 subtypes including Highlight the Answer and Title the Passage). Reading tasks are distributed throughout the adaptive section, not isolated in one block.
IELTS Reading is 60 dedicated minutes with three long academic passages and 40 questions. Requires sustained analytical focus, the ability to skim and scan large volumes of text, and proficiency with diverse academic question types. All passages carry the same fixed difficulty for every candidate.
Verdict: DET reading tests vocabulary recognition and passage comprehension through shorter, varied tasks. IELTS reading demands sustained concentration on dense academic text. Candidates with strong academic reading stamina typically score well on IELTS; those with broader vocabulary range but lower endurance for long passages often score better on DET reading tasks.
Listening: Conversational Simulation vs. Scripted Recordings
DET Listening (2026) uses two question types: Listen and Type (6–9 short clips with dictation, up to 3 replays each) and Interactive Listening (two full conversations — one casual with a classmate, one formal with a professor — each ~6–7 minutes long, with Listen and Complete, Listen and Respond, and Summarise the Conversation subtypes). The Interactive Listening format simulates real academic social situations: navigating a conversation with a peer and interacting respectfully in an academic context with a professor.
IELTS Listening presents four recordings played once only, totalling approximately 30 minutes of audio. Sections progress from social conversations to academic monologues and lectures. Diverse accents are used intentionally. No replays; careful note-taking during playback is essential.
Verdict: DET Listening is more conversational and interactive, especially after the 2025 update. IELTS Listening is more traditional and academic, but heard only once — replay not available. DET's up-to-3-replay option per clip reduces pressure but rewards accuracy.
Is the DET Easier Than IELTS?
The honest answer is: it depends on the individual. The correlation between DET and IELTS scores is approximately 0.65 according to Duolingo's official technical manual — meaning significant individual variation exists. Many test-takers score 0.5–1 full band higher on one test than the other despite having the same underlying proficiency.
| You will likely score better on DET if you... | You will likely score better on IELTS if you... |
|---|---|
| Are comfortable speaking to a camera without live interaction | Perform better in natural face-to-face conversation |
| Are a fast, accurate typist | Prefer writing with more time to plan and structure |
| Have a wide vocabulary range | Excel at sustained reading of long academic texts |
| Adapt quickly to varied, unpredictable question types | Prefer predictable, well-documented question formats |
| Perform well in short, high-intensity bursts | Maintain high performance over 3 hours of structured tasks |
| Have access to a stable home testing environment | Prefer supervised test center environment for focus |
Practical recommendation: Take the official free DET mock test at englishtest.duolingo.com/practice before choosing. Your mock score is the strongest predictor of your certified result. If you score at or near your target, the DET is your most cost-effective path forward.
DET vs IELTS Acceptance: Where Each Test Works (2026)
| Purpose / Destination | DET | IELTS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US University Admissions | ✅ 97 of top 100 US universities | ✅ Yes | DET effectively equal to IELTS for US admissions; verify specific programs |
| Canadian University Admissions | ✅ Most major institutions | ✅ Yes | Verify by department — some still prefer IELTS/TOEFL |
| UK University Admissions | ⚠️ Some — growing but inconsistent | ✅ Strongly preferred | Verify each university individually; IELTS dominant in UK |
| Australian University Admissions | ⚠️ Some — varies by institution | ✅ Yes | IELTS dominates; DET acceptance is growing |
| European University Admissions | ⚠️ Growing — inconsistent by country | ✅ Broadly accepted | Germany, Netherlands, France increasingly accept DET; verify each |
| UK Visa (SELT) | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ IELTS for UKVI mandatory | No alternative — IELTS UKVI is the only accepted SELT for most UK visa types |
| Canadian PR (Express Entry / SDS) | ❌ Not accepted by IRCC | ✅ Yes | IRCC rejects DET even if equivalent score exceeds requirement |
| Australian Visa | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Yes | Immigration and admissions requirements are independent — verify both |
| Professional Registration (medical, nursing) | ❌ Rarely accepted | ✅ Standard requirement | Most professional licensing bodies have not adopted DET |
DET to IELTS Score Conversion (2026 — Updated Chart)
There is no official direct score conversion between DET and IELTS. However, Duolingo publishes official comparative data based on candidates who took both tests. The table below reflects the most current verified equivalency data per Duolingo's official July 2025 technical manual update. Note that Duolingo revised its conversion data in 2025 — the new figures are more conservative than pre-2025 sources. Many older articles still cite outdated equivalencies (e.g. claiming DET 125 = IELTS 7.5), which is no longer accurate.
| DET Score | IELTS Equivalent (approx.) | CEFR Level | Typical Requirement Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | 9.0 | C2 Mastery | Highest research programs; exceptional proficiency |
| 145–155 | 8.5 | C2 | Top-tier postgraduate, law, medicine |
| 130–140 | 7.5–8.0 | C1–C2 | Competitive postgraduate and research programs |
| 120–125 | 7.0 | C1 | Standard requirement for most postgraduate programs globally |
| 110–115 | 6.5 | B2–C1 | Competitive undergraduate programs; many graduate programs |
| 100–105 | 6.0 | B2 | Standard undergraduate admission; pathway programs |
| 90–95 | 5.5 | B1–B2 | Foundation courses; conditional admissions |
| <90 | ≤5.0 | B1 or below | Below academic threshold for most degree programs |
Always check the specific DET minimum your target institution requires directly — universities set their own requirements independently and do not use conversion tables for admissions decisions. The correlation between DET and IELTS scores is approximately 0.65, meaning individual variation is significant.
DET vs IELTS Cost Summary
| Cost Item | DET | IELTS Academic (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | $70 USD | $215–$310 USD |
| Score sharing beyond 5 institutions | Free | $10–$40 per TRF |
| Rescheduling | $0 (no scheduling) | $40–$75 |
| Travel to test center | $0 (from home) | $30–$200+ |
| Full retake | $70 ($59 in 2-test bundle) | $215–$310 again |
| Fast results option | +$40 for 12-hour delivery | Not available |
For complete country-by-country fee breakdowns see: How much does the DET cost? and How much does IELTS cost?
DET Pros and Cons (2026)
| ✅ DET Advantages | ❌ DET Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| $70 — 3–5× cheaper than IELTS | Not accepted for UK visa, Canadian PR, or Australian visa |
| 60 minutes — 2.75× shorter | Fewer accepted institutions (5,700 vs 12,000+) |
| On demand — take from home, no scheduling | Secondary camera (smartphone) now mandatory since Sept 2025 |
| Results in 48 hours; 12-hour fast-track for +$40 | Adaptive format — harder to prepare for specific question patterns |
| Free unlimited score sharing | Not accepted by most professional licensing bodies |
| Interactive Speaking now tests real conversational ability | No dedicated writing or reading section — integrated format suits some less |
| Digital score permanently accessible online — no paper TRF to lose | Fewer established prep resources than IELTS |
IELTS Pros and Cons (2026)
| ✅ IELTS Advantages | ❌ IELTS Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Accepted by 12,000+ institutions worldwide | $215–$410 — significantly more expensive than DET |
| Required for UK, Canadian PR, and Australian immigration | Nearly 3 hours — significantly more fatiguing |
| Live Speaking examiner — natural conversational format | Requires travel to a physical test center in most countries |
| Decades of prep resources, courses, and tutors available | Results take 1–13 days depending on format |
| Fixed format — highly predictable for focused preparation | Only 5 free TRFs; $10–40 per additional report |
| Accepted for professional registration (nursing, medical, etc.) | Rescheduling fees; within 5 weeks of test date — no refund |
Conclusion: DET vs IELTS — The 2026 Verdict
For the majority of international students applying to universities in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe for academic admissions, the Duolingo English Test is the stronger choice in 2026. The July 2025 format update made it more rigorous — Interactive Speaking and the expanded Interactive Listening format now test real communicative competence, not just isolated language skills — while keeping the cost at $70 and the duration at 60 minutes.
IELTS remains mandatory for anyone who needs a UK visa, Canadian permanent residency, Australian immigration status, or professional licensing. For these purposes, there is no cheaper substitute. If immigration is part of your plan now or in the near future, IELTS is the correct investment.
The best practical first step for most students: take the free DET mock test at englishtest.duolingo.com/practice. If your score is at or near your target, book the DET. If you significantly underperform or your target institution doesn't accept it, take IELTS. Either way — arrive prepared.
Prepingo's Practice Arena covers all 13 current DET question types — including the new Interactive Speaking and updated Interactive Listening — with instant AI feedback and timed simulation. Start practicing free today.
Related Guides
- How much does the Duolingo English Test cost? — Full DET fee breakdown: $70 standard, $118 bundle, fast-track, retake policy.
- How much does IELTS cost? — Full IELTS fee breakdown by country, rescheduling fees, TRF costs.
- Why the DET is faster than IELTS — Detailed comparison of scheduling, test duration, and results turnaround.
Frequently Asked Questions: DET vs IELTS
How many question types does the DET have in 2026?
13 question types as of the July 1, 2025 update: Read and Select, Fill in the Blanks, Read and Complete, Interactive Reading, Listen and Type, Interactive Listening, Write About the Photo, Interactive Writing, Speak About the Photo, Read Then Speak, Interactive Speaking, Writing Sample, and Speaking Sample. Read Aloud, Listen Then Speak, and Read Then Write were removed in previous updates.
What changed in the DET July 2025 update?
Four main changes: Interactive Speaking was added (6–8 conversational questions, 35 seconds each); Interactive Listening was expanded with Listen and Complete and Summarise the Conversation subtypes; Read Aloud and Listen Then Speak were removed; and minimum time requirements were removed for Speak About the Photo, Read Then Speak, Writing Sample, Speaking Sample, and Interactive Writing.
Is the DET easier than IELTS?
Neither is objectively easier. The correlation between scores is approximately 0.65, meaning individual results vary significantly. The DET suits candidates comfortable with camera-based speaking, fast typing, and adaptive varied formats. IELTS suits those who prefer live conversation, sustained academic reading, and fixed predictable question types. Take the free DET mock test to determine which format plays to your strengths.
Which is better — DET or IELTS?
For most university admissions: DET — $70 vs $215–$310, 60 minutes vs nearly 3 hours, results in 48 hours, free score sharing. For UK visas, Canadian PR, Australian immigration, or professional licensing: IELTS is mandatory and the DET is not an alternative.
What is DET 120 equivalent to in IELTS?
DET 120–125 approximates IELTS 7.0 based on Duolingo's official July 2025 comparative data. DET 110–115 ≈ IELTS 6.5. DET 130 ≈ IELTS 7.5. These are approximate — always check the specific minimum your target institution sets for each test independently.
Can I use the DET for a UK student visa?
No. UK visas require an approved SELT (Secure English Language Test) from the UKVI list. The DET is not on this list. You must take IELTS for UKVI specifically — not standard IELTS Academic — to satisfy UK visa English requirements.
Does the DET require a secondary camera?
Yes — as of September 2025, a smartphone secondary camera is mandatory for all certified DET sessions. It must be positioned to capture your full screen and keyboard. Incorrect placement or absence of the secondary camera will invalidate the session.