If you're an Indian student planning to study abroad, the English test is one of the first — and most expensive — hurdles. In 2026, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has become a serious alternative to IELTS. Here's an honest comparison so you can pick the right one for your situation.
Cost: DET wins big
The DET costs around ₹6,200 per attempt. IELTS costs roughly ₹17,000–18,000. That's nearly a third of the price — and because it's cheaper, you can retake it without the financial sting.
Convenience: DET wins
You take the DET from home, on your own computer, on demand — no test-centre booking. Results arrive in about 48 hours. IELTS means a scheduled slot at a centre and a longer wait. For convenience, DET is the clear winner.
University acceptance: both strong, with one catch
- USA: DET is almost universally accepted — around 95% of the top 100 US universities, including the Ivies, accept it; most graduate programs do too.
- Canada: ~90% of top universities accept DET for undergrad; about half of English-medium grad programs do.
- UK: 50+ universities accept DET — but the UK student visa (UKVI SELT) does NOT accept Duolingo. For the UK, check whether your university requires a UKVI-approved test like IELTS.
- Overall, 4,500+ institutions worldwide accept the DET in 2026.
So which should you take?
Take the DET if: you're targeting the US, Canada, or DET-accepting universities, want to save money and time, and prefer testing from home. For most Indian students applying to the US, DET is the smart default.
Take IELTS if: your target university or country (notably some UK visa routes) requires it, or a specific scholarship demands it. Always confirm on your exact program's admissions page before booking either test.
Don't want either? You may not need a test at all
Many universities and scholarships accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate if your degree was taught in English — skipping the English test entirely.
Get matched to the right test and universities
AbroBot helps Indian students figure out exactly which English test (or waiver) their target universities accept — so you don't waste money on the wrong one. Explore our Test Prep guidance and AI University Matcher.