DET Fee at a Glance (2026)
| What You're Paying For | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 test (standard) | $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 |
| 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 $70 fee is the same in every country. Local taxes may apply in some regions — for example, 15% in New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, 10% in Japan. Your final checkout price on the official Duolingo site will show the exact amount for your location before you confirm payment.
What Does the $70 Duolingo English Test Fee Include?
The single $70 fee covers the complete end-to-end testing experience — there are 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 proctor review for certification
- Certified results within 48 hours — delivered directly to your account
- Free score sharing — send your certified results to universities at no extra cost
- Subscores included — Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production subscores included with your overall score
- 21-day window to take the test — no expiry pressure immediately after purchase
The only optional paid add-on is fast-track results — an extra $40 USD to receive your certified score within 12 hours instead of the standard 48. This is useful if you have an urgent application deadline. It is not required for standard use.
Is the Duolingo English Test Fee the Same in Every Country?
Yes — the base price is $70 USD globally. Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, which vary significantly by country and test center, the DET has a single worldwide price. However, local taxes are added at checkout in some countries:
| Region / Country | Fee at Checkout |
|---|---|
| United States, Morocco, UAE, most of Africa, Asia (no local tax) | $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 |
| 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.
How Does the DET Fee Compare to IELTS and TOEFL?
The DET is significantly cheaper than every major alternative — and that price difference compounds when you factor in travel, retake costs, and 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 additional TRF | Yes — physical test center | 1–13 days depending on format |
| TOEFL iBT | $185 – $255 | $20 per additional report | Yes — physical test center | 4–8 days |
| PTE Academic | $175 – $220 | Varies by institution | Yes — physical test center | 1–5 days |
For students applying to 8–10 universities, the DET's free score sharing can save an additional $150–$300 compared to IELTS's per-report fees. Combined with zero travel costs, the total real-world saving for most applicants is $200–$400 per test cycle versus IELTS.
For a full breakdown, see our dedicated DET vs IELTS cost comparison article.
How to Pay for the Duolingo English Test
- 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 (passport, driver's license, or national ID).
- Pay by credit/debit card or Alipay. No other payment methods are accepted at checkout.
- Once payment is confirmed, you have 21 days to take the test at any time.
Important: The DET fee is non-refundable. If you purchase a test and do not take it within the 21-day window, you lose the fee. There are no extensions. Buy only when you are ready to take the test within three weeks.
Are There Any Hidden Fees for the Duolingo English Test?
No — the $70 covers everything required to take, certify, and share your results. There are three things that trip people up, however:
- Local taxes at checkout. The $70 base price may increase by 10–15% depending on your country. Check the final checkout screen before confirming.
- The fast-track results fee. Standard results arrive within 48 hours at no extra cost. The optional 12-hour fast-track costs an additional $40. This is listed clearly during checkout — it is not applied automatically.
- Retakes are separate purchases. If you need to retake the test to improve your score, each retake is a new $70 purchase (or $59 each via the bundle). Technical retakes caused by verified connection or system issues are handled by Duolingo support and do not always require repayment — but score-improvement retakes always do.
How Much Does It Cost to Retake the DET?
Each retake is a separate purchase at the same price: $70 per test, or $59 per test if you buy two together ($118 bundle). You can purchase up to three tests within any 30-day period. There is no lifetime limit on retakes. You must wait to receive your certified result before purchasing and taking 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, without going through the purchase process again under deadline pressure.
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 universities directly through your Duolingo account at no extra charge. The institution receives a secure digital link to your official certificate, which includes your overall score, four subscores, a speaking sample, and a writing sample.
This is one of the most significant practical advantages of the DET over IELTS, which includes only 5 free Test Report Form copies and charges administrative fees 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 Worth the Cost?
For university admissions purposes — yes, for most students. At $70, the DET 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 to know before paying: the DET is not accepted for immigration purposes. It is not recognized for UK visa (SELT requirements), Canadian permanent residency applications, or Australian visa applications. For those pathways, IELTS or another UKVI-approved test is required regardless of cost. For university admissions only, the DET represents 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. Practicing the actual DET question types under timed conditions before you pay is the most reliable way to pass on your first attempt and avoid a second $70 purchase. 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 touches on education costs, financial access, or value comparisons, these C1/C2 terms will elevate your response:
| Basic Term | C1/C2 Upgrade | Example in an Essay |
|---|---|---|
| cheap / affordable | cost-effective, economical, 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 results 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 Book: A 3-Step Readiness Check
- Verify your target university's minimum DET score. Requirements vary by program — from 95 at some community colleges to 130+ at highly competitive graduate programs. Know your target before you pay.
- Take an official DET mock test. Duolingo provides a free mock test at englishtest.duolingo.com/practice. Your mock score is the best predictor of your certified score. If your mock score is below your target, practice before booking.
- Practice under real exam conditions. The DET is 60 minutes of adaptive testing with strict proctoring rules. Practicing with Prepingo's timed mock tests under webcam conditions eliminates exam-day surprises and significantly reduces the risk of a second $70 payment.
The $70 DET fee is non-refundable and the test is non-repeatable within the same sitting. The best way to protect your investment is to practice the actual question types under real time limits before you book — not after.
Frequently Asked Questions: DET Cost and Fees
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost in 2026?
The Duolingo English Test costs $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 may add 10–15% in some regions.
What is the Duolingo English Test fee in 2025 vs 2026?
The price increased from $59 to $70 USD on February 11, 2025. It has remained at $70 since then. If you see $59 quoted elsewhere, that typically refers to the per-test price when buying the two-test bundle ($118 ÷ 2), or a third-party discount code offered by certain prep platforms.
How much does it cost to send DET results to universities?
Free. There is no fee to send your certified DET score report to universities. You share results through your Duolingo account, and institutions receive a secure digital link to your official certificate. No courier fees, no per-report charges.
Are there any hidden fees for the Duolingo English Test?
No mandatory hidden fees. The $70 covers the full exam, proctoring, certification, and score sharing. The only add-on is the optional 12-hour fast-track results service for an additional $40. Local taxes may apply at checkout depending on your country.
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 fee compare to IELTS?
IELTS Academic costs $220–$260 USD depending on country and test center, compared to $70 for the DET. IELTS also includes only 5 free score reports (additional copies cost $20–$40 each), requires travel to a physical test center, and takes 1–13 days to deliver results. The DET delivers results in 48 hours, from home, with free unlimited score sharing.
How long is a DET score valid?
Two years from the date of the exam. This matches the validity period of IELTS and TOEFL. After two years, you need to retake the test to provide current evidence of your English proficiency.
Is the DET fee refundable?
No. The Duolingo English Test fee is non-refundable. If you purchase a test and do not complete it within the 21-day window, you lose the fee. There are no partial refunds or extensions. Purchase only when you are ready to take the test within three weeks.