Overview
Booking the DET is faster than most other English proficiency exams — there's no test-center scheduling, and you can often go from registration to results in under three days. Here's exactly how the process works, from creating your account to receiving your score.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to englishtest.duolingo.com and register using your exact legal name as it appears on the government-issued ID you plan to use on test day. This detail matters more than it seems — a mismatched name (even a missing middle name) can cause problems when your results reach an institution later.
Step 2: Purchase Your Test
A single test costs around $70 USD. If you expect to need a retake — for example, to try to beat your first score before an application deadline — the two-test bundle brings the cost down to about $59 per test. Payment is handled entirely online.
Once you purchase, you have 21 days to actually start the test. You can also purchase up to 3 tests within any rolling 30-day period; each purchase gives you up to three attempts, but only one certified result counts per purchase.
Step 3: Download the Desktop App
The DET runs through a dedicated desktop app, not a browser. Download it for Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+ after your purchase confirms. Tablets, Chromebooks, and Linux machines are not supported.
Step 4: Run the System Check
Do this 1–2 days before your test, not the night before. The official readiness check verifies your camera, microphone, and internet speed, and confirms your app is fully updated. Running it early gives you time to fix anything that fails — running it minutes before your test doesn't.
Step 5: Prepare Your Documents and Equipment
- Your original, physical government-issued ID (not a photo or photocopy)
- A charged smartphone or tablet with the DET mobile app installed, for your mandatory secondary camera
- A quiet room where you can be completely alone for about an hour
Step 6: Start the Test
There's no scheduled time slot to book — once your credit is active and your setup checks pass, you can start whenever you're ready, any day or time. The full session, including the identity check, room scan, ear scan, and adaptive test, takes roughly an hour.
Step 7: Receive and Send Your Results
Results typically arrive within 48 hours. Once certified, you can send your score to as many institutions as you like at no additional cost, and the score remains valid for 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule a specific test date and time?
No. Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, there's no fixed appointment — you start whenever you're ready within your 21-day window.
Can I book the test on my phone?
You can register and purchase from a phone browser, but the test itself must be taken on a Windows or Mac computer.
What if I don't finish setting up in time and my credit expires?
You'll need to purchase a new test — the 21-day window applies strictly from the date of purchase.
Ready Before You Book
The fastest way to avoid wasting a $70 credit is to already be comfortable with the format before you register. Practice every DET question type on Prepingo with instant AI feedback, so your first official attempt is your best one.