The Duolingo English Test (DET) costs $70 USD, takes 60 minutes from your laptop, and delivers results in 48 hours. Over 6,000 universities worldwide now accept it — including institutions in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. This guide covers everything: the 2026 fee, test format, scoring scale, the mandatory 2-camera rule, and which immigration pathways do not accept DET.
Last verified: 23 September 2026
Duolingo English Test: Quick Answer
The Duolingo English Test is a 60-minute online exam you can take at home. It costs $70 USD per sitting. Your score (10–160) is accepted by more than 6,000 universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond. Results come within 48 hours. A 2-camera setup is now required for all sittings.
Why More Students Are Choosing the Duolingo English Test
For students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, traditional English tests create real barriers. IELTS costs $250–$300, test centres are often far away, and you wait weeks for a slot. TOEFL costs around $220 and has a similar scheduling problem.
The DET removes most of those barriers. You take it at home, any time a slot is available (usually within days), and you pay $70 — a fraction of the alternatives. Results arrive in 48 hours, and you can send them to unlimited institutions for free. That last point alone saves hundreds of dollars compared to IELTS, which charges per institution report.
The trade-off is acceptance. DET is not accepted for immigration purposes in most countries. If you need English proficiency for a visa application — not just for university admission — check below before you book.
Duolingo English Test Fee in 2026
| Option | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Single test | $70 |
| 2-test bundle | $118 (save $22) |
| Fast results add-on | $39 extra (12-hour delivery) |
Payment is by card. If you do not have a personal card, you can use Payoneer, Wise, or a prepaid Visa/Mastercard loaded from your local bank. There is no cash payment option.
Compared to IELTS ($250+) or TOEFL ($220), the DET is significantly cheaper. If you need to take the test twice, the 2-test bundle at $118 is better value than two single sittings at $140.
Test Format: What Happens During the 60 Minutes
The test lasts 60 minutes in total: roughly 15 minutes for setup and identity verification, and 45 minutes of actual testing. It is adaptive — the difficulty adjusts based on your answers, similar to the GRE.
The test assesses four core skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. These are not tested in separate sections as with IELTS. Instead, question types mix the skills throughout the exam. There are 12 distinct question types, including:
- Read and complete — fill in missing letters in a word
- Listen and select — choose the real English word you hear
- Write about the photo — describe an image in 1–5 sentences
- Speak about the photo — describe an image out loud for 90 seconds
- Interactive listening — answer questions about a conversation (added 2024)
- Interactive speaking — respond to a spoken prompt in a dialogue format (added 2024)
- Read aloud — read a sentence out loud
- Dictation — type what you hear
The interactive listening and speaking sections — added in the 2024 format update — are now a standard part of the test. They test natural conversational ability rather than prepared responses, which many students find more challenging than traditional question types.
The 2-Camera Rule: What It Means and How to Set It Up
This is the rule that catches the most students off guard. Since 2025, the Duolingo English Test requires a secondary camera in addition to your laptop webcam.
What you need
- A smartphone or tablet with a working camera
- The Duolingo English Test app installed on that device
- A stable surface to prop the phone in landscape mode
What the secondary camera must show
The phone must be positioned so it captures your hands, your keyboard, and your laptop screen in the same frame. During the test, a QR code appears on your laptop screen — you scan it with your phone to link the two devices.
If the phone disconnects, falls, or the view is obscured at any point during the test, it can be invalidated. This has caught many students who propped their phone against a book or bag without securing it properly.
Practical setup tips
- Use a phone stand or prop it between two heavy books at a fixed angle
- Test the view before you start — check that your hands, keyboard, and screen are all visible
- Charge the phone fully before starting; the test drains the camera battery
- Disable notifications on the phone for the duration of the test
- Make sure your phone is connected to stable Wi-Fi, not mobile data
Students in areas with unstable internet should run a speed test before sitting. The minimum recommended speed is 3 Mbps upload and download. If your connection drops, Duolingo allows you to resume within a 30-minute window, but reconnecting quickly matters.
Understanding Your Score: The 10–160 Scale
| Score Range | CEFR Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10–55 | A1/A2 | Basic user — not sufficient for most universities |
| 60–85 | B1 | Independent user — some pathway programmes |
| 90–115 | B2 | Upper intermediate — many undergraduate programmes |
| 120–130 | C1 | Advanced — most graduate and professional programmes |
| 135–160 | C2 | Proficient — top research and competitive programmes |
Most universities in the US and UK that accept DET require a minimum score of 105–120 for postgraduate admission. Some set a lower bar of 90–100 for undergraduate programmes. Always check the specific requirement on the university’s own admissions page — do not rely on third-party aggregators.
Which Universities and Countries Accept the DET
As of 2026, over 6,000 institutions globally accept the Duolingo English Test for admission. This includes universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and dozens of other countries. Major institutions that accept DET include many US state universities, Canadian colleges, and UK universities outside the Russell Group. Several Russell Group and Ivy League institutions also accept it — verify on the official DET partners page.
Where the DET is NOT accepted
This is important. Two major immigration pathways specifically exclude DET:
- Canada Student Direct Stream (SDS) — requires IELTS Academic only
- Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) — DET is not on the accepted list for visa purposes
If you plan to study in Canada or Australia and need to submit an English test for your student visa application (not just university admission), you will need IELTS or TOEFL. You could still use DET for the university offer and then take IELTS separately for the visa — but confirm this with the institution and immigration authorities before booking.
Step-by-Step: How to Register and Take the Duolingo English Test
- Go to englishtest.duolingo.com and create an account
- Verify your identity by uploading a government-issued ID (passport preferred internationally)
- Choose a test time — slots are available most days within 24–48 hours
- Pay the $70 fee by card or digital wallet
- Install the secondary camera app on your smartphone
- Set up your test environment (quiet room, good lighting, desk clear of notes)
- At test time, open the test on your laptop and scan the QR code with your phone
- Complete the 45-minute adaptive test
- Receive your score within 48 hours (or 12 hours if you purchased the fast add-on)
- Share results directly to institutions from your dashboard — free and unlimited
How to Prepare: Free and Paid Resources
Duolingo provides free official practice tests at englishtest.duolingo.com/practice. These are the most accurate preparation resource because they use the same adaptive engine as the real test. Use them first before spending money on anything else.
Free resources
- Official practice tests on the DET website
- DET YouTube channel — official video guides for each question type
- Reddit r/duolingoenglishtest — real student experiences and recent question patterns
- BBC Learning English and VOA Learning English — for general listening and reading skills
Paid preparation options
Several prep courses exist. They range from $20 to $150. The official free practice tests are rigorous enough for most students. Paid courses are useful if you struggle specifically with the interactive speaking tasks or want timed practice with score prediction. No prep course can guarantee a score — treat claimed improvements with scepticism.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the 2-camera setup — test your phone position the day before, not on the day
- Taking the test with unstable internet — run a speed test first; mobile data is risky
- Assuming DET works for your visa — check immigration requirements separately from university admission requirements
- Using a third-party score requirement list — minimum scores change; always check the university’s own admissions page
- Not taking the free practice tests — the adaptive format is unfamiliar; practice before you pay for the real test
- Speaking too quietly in the speaking sections — test your microphone volume before the exam starts
Duolingo English Test vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Should You Take?
| Factor | Duolingo DET | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | $70 | ~$250–300 | ~$220 |
| Test duration | 60 min | 2 hr 45 min | About 2 hr |
| Format | Online, at home | Test centre or online | Test centre or online |
| Results turnaround | 48 hours | 3–5 days (online) | 4–6 days |
| Score sharing | Free, unlimited | $20+ per additional | ~$20 per additional |
| Visa acceptance | Limited | Wide | Wide |
| University acceptance | 6,000+ institutions | Very wide | Very wide |
If cost is the main barrier, DET is the clear winner. If you need the score for a student visa to Canada or Australia, take IELTS or TOEFL. If you are applying to a mix of institutions — some of which require IELTS — take both tests. The total cost of DET + IELTS is still less than two IELTS sittings.
Duolingo English Test FAQ
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted by UK universities?
Many UK universities accept DET for admission. However, for the UK Student Visa, you must use an approved SELT (Secure English Language Test) — currently IELTS for UKVI, Trinity SELT, or LanguageCert. DET is not on the UK Home Office approved list for visa purposes.
How long is the Duolingo English Test valid?
DET scores are valid for two years from the test date. Most universities accept scores within this window. Check the specific institution’s policy.
Can I retake the Duolingo English Test if I am not happy with my score?
Yes. You can retake the test after a 21-day waiting period from your previous attempt. The 2-test bundle ($118) is designed for students planning to retake.
What score do I need for a Master’s degree in the United States?
Most US graduate programmes that accept DET require a minimum of 105–120. Competitive research programmes often set 125 or higher. Check the admissions page of each university directly.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted in Australia?
Some Australian universities accept DET for admission, but Australia’s Student Visa (Subclass 500) does not accept DET — you need IELTS, TOEFL, or another approved test for the visa. Verify with the university and the Department of Home Affairs before booking.
What happens if my internet drops during the Duolingo English Test?
Duolingo gives you a 30-minute window to reconnect and resume. If you cannot reconnect within that window, the sitting is considered incomplete and you will need to rebook and pay again. Take the test on your most reliable connection — do not use mobile data as your primary connection.
If you are planning to study abroad, the Duolingo English Test is one of the most accessible ways to demonstrate your English proficiency — especially if cost and test-centre availability are barriers. Take the free practice tests first, sort out your 2-camera setup in advance, and check visa requirements separately from university admission requirements before you book.
Ready to fund your studies abroad? Read our guide to Chevening Scholarships 2027/2028 and the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. You can also check our comparison of the best countries to study abroad for costs and work rights.
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