The Short Answer
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency exam that universities and institutions use to check whether an applicant's English is strong enough to study or work in an English-speaking environment. You take it at home on your own computer, it lasts about an hour, and you typically get your results within 48 hours. It's built by Duolingo, the same company behind the language-learning app, and it's accepted by thousands of universities across the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and beyond.
How the DET Is Different From IELTS or TOEFL
| Feature | Duolingo English Test | IELTS / TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | At home, on your own computer | Physical test center (or limited at-home options) |
| Duration | About 1 hour | 2.5–3 hours |
| Scheduling | Start anytime, no booking a slot | Fixed test dates, often weeks out |
| Cost | Around $70 USD (or $59/test as a two-test bundle) | $200–$310 USD depending on the test and country |
| Results | Within 48 hours | Several days to 2 weeks |
| Format | Computer-adaptive: difficulty adjusts to your answers in real time | Fixed set of sections at set difficulty |
How the Test Is Structured
The DET blends reading, writing, listening, and speaking into a single adaptive test rather than separating them into four distinct sections like traditional exams do. It's split into two parts:
- The Adaptive Test (~45 minutes): a mix of question types — including reading passages, fill-in-the-blank vocabulary checks, dictation, picture descriptions, and short speaking and writing prompts — where the difficulty increases or decreases based on how you're performing.
- The Video Interview and Writing Sample: an unscored (but reviewed) speaking and writing segment that gives admissions officers extra context beyond your numeric score.
How It's Scored
The DET produces an overall score between 10 and 160, plus four subscores — Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production — that break down exactly where your strengths and weaknesses are. Most universities set a minimum overall score somewhere between 100 and 130, though this varies significantly by institution and program level.
Is It Proctored?
Yes, and strictly. The DET uses AI monitoring combined with human review: your webcam, a mandatory second camera (your phone), a room scan, and continuous gaze tracking all work together to confirm you're taking the test alone, without notes, and without outside help. Getting your setup right matters just as much as your English — see our complete technical requirements checklist before test day.
Who Accepts It?
Thousands of universities and colleges worldwide accept DET scores for admissions, including a large share of top-ranked US institutions. It's important to separate university acceptance from visa acceptance, though — a school accepting your DET score for admission doesn't automatically mean your visa application will accept it too. The UK, for example, requires a separate UKVI-approved SELT for student visas even if the university itself accepts DET for admissions. Always check both requirements independently for your target country and school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost?
A single test costs around $70 USD. A two-test bundle brings the per-test cost down to about $59.
How long are DET results valid?
Two years from your test date.
Can I send my score to multiple universities for free?
Yes — score sending is free and unlimited.
Ready to Start Preparing?
Once you understand the format, the fastest way to improve is targeted practice under real timing conditions. Prepingo's mock questions cover every DET task type with instant AI feedback, so you can see exactly where your score is being held back before test day.