The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency test that assesses reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. It is accepted by more than 6,500 programs and institutions worldwide, but acceptance varies by institution, programme and purpose. Always check the requirements of your chosen university or institution before booking the test.
Unlike traditional test-centre exams, the DET is taken online from home. You need a compatible computer, a smartphone for the secondary-camera requirement, a stable internet connection, valid identification and an appropriate testing environment.
This guide explains how the DET works, how it is scored, what equipment you need and what you should check before using the test for a university application.
How Do Universities Use English Proficiency Tests?
Many universities offer programmes taught in English and may require international applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. The exact requirement depends on the institution, programme and applicant’s academic background.
Universities establish which English-proficiency tests they accept and what scores they require. Requirements can differ by institution, programme and level of study. Some institutions may also use English-proficiency results for placement or academic-readiness decisions. These policies vary, so applicants should follow the requirements of their chosen institution.
Before booking the DET, check the official DET accepting-institutions information and your chosen university’s admissions requirements to confirm that the test is accepted for your specific programme and purpose.
How the Duolingo English Test Scoring System Works
The DET reports an overall score on a scale from 10 to 160. It also provides individual subscores for Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, together with integrated subscores for Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production.
The test is adaptive. The difficulty of questions can change according to the test taker’s performance, allowing the assessment to measure English proficiency efficiently.
There is no universal “good” DET score. Universities and programmes establish their own requirements. A score that is sufficient for one programme may not meet the requirement of another, so applicants should always check the exact requirement of their chosen institution.
What Is Evaluated in the Duolingo English Test?
The DET assesses four individual language skills:
- Reading: Understanding written English, including vocabulary, grammar and written information.
- Writing: Expressing ideas clearly and effectively in written English.
- Listening: Understanding spoken English.
- Speaking: Expressing ideas orally and responding appropriately to spoken prompts.
Many DET tasks integrate more than one language skill, reflecting the way English is used in academic and real-world communication.
The current speaking assessment includes tasks such as Picture Description, Extended Speaking, Speaking Sample and Interactive Speaking. Interactive Speaking simulates a conversation in which follow-up questions can adapt to the test taker’s responses.
At the end of the test, you also complete an ungraded Writing Sample and Speaking Sample. These samples can be shared with institutions that receive your results.
Test Format
The DET takes about one hour of uninterrupted time. The test includes identity verification and setup, the adaptive test and ungraded Writing and Speaking Samples. As the main test is adaptive, the number and difficulty of questions can vary.
You need:
- A compatible computer
- A working camera, microphone and speakers
- A stable internet connection
- A smartphone used as the secondary camera
- A valid form of identification
- A quiet, private and well-lit room
You must take the test alone. Current testing rules also require the phone camera to capture the required view of your computer, screen and keyboard. Extra devices, paper, notes and headphones or earbuds are not permitted in the testing environment.
How to Take the Duolingo English Test
Visit the official Duolingo English Test website and create an account.
- Purchase the test online. The current standard test price is US$70.
- After purchasing the test, complete it within 21 days. Unused test credits expire after this period.
- Complete the required system and equipment checks.
- Prepare a quiet, private testing environment that meets the current DET rules.
- Complete the identity-verification and testing procedures.
- Follow all test-day security requirements.
- Certified results are typically available within about two days.
Once your result is certified, you can send your score to institutions through the DET score-sharing system.
The DET does not operate like a conventional test centre requiring applicants to reserve a physical seat. It is designed to be taken online from an appropriate private testing environment.
Why Choose the Duolingo English Test?
The DET may be convenient for applicants because it is taken online, does not require travel to a conventional test centre and typically provides certified results within about two days.
However, convenience should not be the only consideration. Applicants should first confirm that their chosen university, programme and intended immigration route accept the DET for the purpose for which they need an English-proficiency result.
A DET score should not automatically be treated as interchangeable with an IELTS or TOEFL score because institutions can establish different test and score requirements.
Duolingo Compared with Other English Proficiency Tests
Feature | Duolingo English Test | IELTS | TOEFL iBT / PTE Academic |
Standard test fee | US$70 | IELTS fees vary by test type and booking location; British Council Bangladesh currently lists IELTS Academic at BDT 29,600 | Fees vary by country and test location |
Duration | About 1 hour | About 2 hours 45 minutes for the main IELTS sections, plus Speaking | TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are approximately 2 hours |
Where you take it | Online from home | Official test centre; delivery options vary by country and test | TOEFL iBT: test centre or Home Edition where available; PTE Academic: Authorised test centre |
Typical result time | About 2 days | IELTS Online 6-8 days, IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) up to 13 days | TOEFL iBT: approximately 3 days; PTE Academic: typically, about 2 business days, although some results may take longer |
Score scale | 10–160 | 0-9 bands | TOEFL iBT: 1-6 scale from January 2026, with a comparable 0-120 overall score during the transition; PTE Academic: 10-90 |
Benefits of the Duolingo English Test
- Broad institutional acceptance: More than 6,500 programs and institutions worldwide accept DET scores, although acceptance varies by institution and programme.
- Online delivery: The test is taken from home rather than at a conventional test centre.
- Fast results: Certified results are typically available within about two days.
- Detailed score information: Results include Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking subscores as well as integrated subscores.
- Score sharing: Certified scores can be sent to institutions through the DET score-sharing system.
- Flexible scheduling: The online format provides flexibility compared with tests that require attendance at a physical test centre.
Important: Check Requirements Before Booking
English-proficiency requirements can change, and acceptance can differ by institution, programme, country and purpose.
Before paying for any English-proficiency test, check:
- Whether your university accepts the DET.
- Whether your specific programme accepts the DET.
- The minimum overall score required.
- Whether minimum subscores are required.
- Whether the score must be from a particular period.
- Whether the relevant immigration or visa authority accepts the test for your intended purpose.
- The current test price and testing rules.
Frequently Asked Questions about Duolingo English Test
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for a Bangladeshi student’s visa application?
Not necessarily. University admission and immigration requirements are separate. A university may accept the DET for admission while the relevant immigration authority may have different English-language evidence requirements. Before relying on a DET score for a visa application, check the current immigration rules for your destination country and visa category.
How long is my Duolingo English Test score valid?
DET results are valid for two years from the test date. However, individual institutions or authorities may establish their own requirements concerning the age of an English-proficiency result. Always check the relevant current requirements.
Can I take the Duolingo English Test more than once?
Yes. However, you cannot purchase unlimited tests. Current DET policy allows you to purchase up to three tests in any 30-day period. You must also wait for your result before taking another test.
Is the Duolingo English Test harder or easier than IELTS?
Neither test should automatically be considered easier or harder overall. They use different formats and task designs. The DET is shorter, adaptive and is taken online. IELTS uses a different test structure and includes a separate Speaking component. The best choice depends on the requirements of the institution or authority you are applying to, as well as your familiarity with each test format.
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost in Bangladesh?
The standard DET test price is currently US$70. The amount charged in Bangladeshi taka can vary because of exchange rates, payment-provider charges and applicable taxes.
Do all universities accept the Duolingo English Test?
More than 6,500 programs and institutions worldwide accept DET scores, but acceptance is not universal. Requirements may also differ between programmes within the same institution. Always check both the official DET accepting-institutions information and the university’s own admissions requirements before booking the test.
What is a good Duolingo English Test score?
There is no universal score that can be described as “good” for every applicant. The appropriate score is the one that meets or exceeds the requirement of your chosen university and programme. Check the institution’s official admissions page for the required overall score and, where applicable, any minimum subscore requirements.
Do I need special equipment to take the test at home?
Yes. You need: A compatible computer; A working camera, microphone and speakers; A stable internet connection; A valid form of identification; A smartphone that serves as the secondary camera; A quiet, private and well-lit room.
You must take the test alone and follow the current security rules. These include requirements concerning the phone camera, extra devices, headphones or earbuds, notes and other materials.
