Summary:
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a modern, online English proficiency test accepted by thousands of universities worldwide. Known for its convenience, affordability, and quick results, the DET allows students to take the test from home and is especially popular among international applicants to U.S. and Canadian universities.
What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a computer-based English proficiency exam designed for students whose first language is not English. It assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills—similar to traditional tests like TOEFL and IELTS—but in a shorter, more flexible format. Students can take the DET from home, online, anytime, using a computer with a camera, microphone, and internet connection.
Launched in 2016 by the makers of the Duolingo language app, the test has gained rapid popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person testing options were limited. Today, over 4,000 institutions in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond accept the DET as proof of English ability, including many top universities.
Format and Duration
The Duolingo English Test takes about 1 hour to complete. It uses an adaptive format, which means the difficulty of the questions changes based on the test-taker’s performance in real time. This allows the test to measure proficiency efficiently, using fewer questions than traditional tests.
The DET includes:
- Integrated questions that assess multiple skills at once, such as speaking while reading or writing in response to audio
- Speaking and writing samples, where students respond to open-ended prompts (these are recorded and sent to universities for review)
- A short video interview at the end (ungraded but visible to universities)
The test is scored on a 160-point scale, with subscores provided for literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production.
Benefits of the DET
One of the biggest advantages of the DET is convenience. Students can take it from anywhere, without needing to travel to a test center. The cost is also much lower—$59 USD (as of 2024), compared to over $200 for TOEFL or IELTS. Test results are available in just 2 days, and students can send scores to an unlimited number of schools for free.
Because of its fast delivery and flexibility, the DET is especially helpful for students on tight deadlines or in countries with limited access to traditional testing centers.
Who Accepts the DET?
The DET is accepted by a growing number of institutions, including:
- Top U.S. universities like Columbia, NYU, Duke, and Northeastern
- Canadian universities like the University of Toronto, McGill, and UBC
- Many schools in the UK and Europe
- Some graduate programs and high schools
However, not all universities accept the DET. Some may accept it only under specific conditions, such as for conditional admission or if TOEFL/IELTS is unavailable. Always check each school’s official admissions website to confirm whether they accept Duolingo scores.
DET vs. TOEFL/IELTS
Compared to TOEFL and IELTS, the DET is shorter, cheaper, and easier to schedule. However, it is newer and still gaining recognition. TOEFL and IELTS remain more widely accepted, especially for visa purposes or in traditional programs. Some competitive programs may prefer traditional scores or ask for both DET and a secondary interview or writing sample.