Skip to Content

Duolingo English Test Guide

About $65, under an hour from home, results in ~2 days — the budget disruptor of English testing, accepted by 5,000+ institutions. How it works, who accepts it and how to prepare in 2–3 weeks.

~$65 vs ₹17,000+At home, ~1 hourResults in ~2 days5,000+ institutions
Get Free AssessmentTry the AbroBot App

How the DET works

🧠

Adaptive format

Questions adjust to your answers; ~45 minutes plus a 10-minute video sample sent to universities.

🧩

Task types

Complete sentences, describe images, listen and type, read aloud, open speaking and writing.

📏

Scoring 10–160

DET 120 ≈ IELTS 6.5–7.0. Each university sets its own cutoff.

📷

Strict proctoring

AI-monitored with human review. Many failed attempts are rule violations, not English problems.

DET vs IELTS vs PTE

Pick by destination: DET shines for USA/Canada; check the visa layer for the UK and Australia.

TestCostWhere it wins
Duolingo (DET)~$65USA and Canada admissions, speed, budget
IELTS₹17,000+Universal acceptance, all visa routes
PTE Academic₹17,000+Australia and NZ visas, fast retakes — see the PTE guide

Prepare in 2–3 weeks

1

Practice test

Free and unlimited — repeat until you sit 10+ points above target.

2

Train the format

Adaptive pacing punishes hesitation; speed drills matter.

3

Fix the room

Lighting, empty desk, stable internet, ID ready — violations void attempts.

4

Polish samples

Your speaking and writing go to universities verbatim.

FAQs – Duolingo English Test

Yes — thousands of US universities accept it for admission, including many highly ranked ones. Each sets its own minimum score.

Roughly 110–120, but mappings vary by university — always check the specific cutoff.

Generally no for visa SELT requirements — those routes need IELTS/PTE UKVI-class tests. DET works best for the USA and Canada.

Usually within 2 days of completing the test.

Multiple, with limits inside 30-day windows; only the scores you choose are sent to universities.

Not sure which test fits your plan?

We match the test to your target universities and visa route — free.

Get My Free AssessmentLaunch the App

📞 +91 9711488481 · 20+ AI tools · 25 lakh+ student journeys