Exam Hub
Duolingo
Duolingo English Test (DET) — Take it from home, any time · About 1 hour · Fully adaptive · Results within 2 days · 6,000+ institutions
Test Fee (India)
US$70
Duration
≈1 hour
Results In
Within 2 days
Choose Duolingo if…
Budget and convenience matter and your university accepts DET (mainly USA / Canada).
What changed in 2025–26
- Feb 2025Fee raised from US$65 to US$70.
- Jul 2025Interactive Speaking & Interactive Writing introduced (replacing Listen-Then-Speak and Read-Then-Write style tasks); Read Aloud removed.
- 2025Concordance updated: DET 120 ≈ IELTS 6.5 (previously ≈7.0). Check your university’s own required DET score.
Overview & Key Facts
Conducted By
Duolingo
Where You Take It
From home on your own computer, any time — no appointment
Test Fee
US$70 (≈₹6,000–6,500, varies with exchange rate) — raised from US$65 in Feb 2025
Score Range
10–160 overall in 5-point steps, plus subscores
Duration
≈1 hour (adaptive test + writing & speaking samples)
Adaptive?
Yes — fully adaptive; mixes reading, listening, writing and speaking
Scoring
AI scoring with human proctoring review
Results
Within 2 days (12 hours with paid Faster Results)
Validity
2 years
Attempts
Up to 2 certified tests in any 30-day period; test credit valid 21 days
Score Sending
Free score sending to unlimited institutions
Acceptance
6,000+ institutions, mainly USA / Canada; growing in UK / Europe
Not Accepted For
UK visa applications and Australian immigration
Exam Pattern & Structure
| Section / Module | Task Types / Content | Duration | Questions | Marks / Weight | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction & Setup | ID check, rules, room and camera check | ≈5 min | — | Not scored | — |
| Adaptive Test | Questions get harder or easier based on your answers; mixes reading, listening, writing and speaking. Common types: Read and Complete · Read and Select · Listen and Type · Fill in the Blanks · Interactive Reading · Interactive Listening · Write About the Photo / Read Then Write · Interactive Writing · Speak About the Photo / Read Then Speak · Interactive Speaking | ≈45 min | Mix varies | Scored 10–160 | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking |
| Writing & Speaking Samples | Short essay and video response that institutions can view | ≈10 min | 2 samples | Not scored (sent to universities) | Writing, Speaking |
Scoring System & Requirements
Score Range
10–160
Scale / Increments
5-point steps, with subscores on the score report
Skill Scores
2025 update: DET 120 ≈ IELTS 6.5 (previously ≈7.0) — check your university’s own required DET score
| Purpose / University | Typical Requirement | Minimum Score | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK – undergraduate | Typical university range — check your course page | 110–120 | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
| UK – postgraduate | Typical university range — check your course page | 115–125 | IELTS 6.5–7.0 |
| USA – most universities | Widely accepted in the USA | 110–120 | IELTS 6.5–7.0 |
| USA – top universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 120–135 | IELTS 7.0–7.5+ |
| Canada – universities | Not accepted for Canada PR (Express Entry) | 115–120 | IELTS 6.5 |
| Australia – universities | Not accepted for Australian visas | Some universities | IELTS 6.5 |
| New Zealand | Typical university range — check your course page | Some universities | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
| Europe (Germany, Ireland, NL, etc.) | Typical university range — check your course page | Increasingly accepted | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
Fees & Policies (India)
- Test Fee
- US$70 (raised from US$65 in Feb 2025). Some blogs still show US$59 — outdated
- Approx. in ₹
- ≈₹6,000–6,500, varies with exchange rate
- Payment
- Card, in USD
- Test Credit
- Valid 21 days from purchase; take any time, no appointment
- Attempts
- Up to 2 certified tests in any 30-day period
- Faster Results
- Paid option — results in 12 hours
- Fee Waivers
- Through partner universities (Access Program)
- ID
- Passport (recommended for Indian test-takers)
6-Week Preparation Plan
🔍 Diagnostic & Question Types
- All tests: Take one official free practice test; note weakest skill
- Do official practice test; check computer/room setup
🎧 Vocabulary, Grammar & Listening
- All tests: Vocabulary & grammar daily (30–45 min)
- Practise Read and Complete & Listen and Type for speed
- At Palash: adaptive test strategy training
✍️ Writing Practice
- All tests: Writing practice with feedback
- Interactive Writing – write 100+ words in 5 min
🎙️ Speaking Practice
- All tests: Speaking practice (record yourself)
- Interactive Speaking – answer instantly, no prep
- At Palash: speaking & writing evaluation
🔄 Full Mock Tests
- All tests: Full mock tests under exam timing
- 2 full practice tests
- At Palash: real-time scoring practice
✅ Final Review & Booking Checks
- All tests: Final review & booking checks
- Run system check; clear room; passport ready
Top Preparation Tips
- 🏠 Room: quiet, well-lit, alone; face and ears visible; eyes stay on screen
- 🚫 No notes, phones, second screens or earphones — breaking rules means the result is not certified
- 🎙️ Interactive Speaking has no prep time — practise answering instantly
- ✍️ Interactive Writing: practise 100+ words in 5 minutes
- ⚡ Read and Complete & Listen and Type reward speed and accuracy
- 🎥 Writing & Speaking samples are unscored but SEEN by universities
- 💰 Up to 2 certified attempts in any 30-day period; test credit valid for 21 days
- 🌍 Check carefully if you also need a visa test — DET is not accepted for UK visas or Australian immigration
Study Resources
- 🌐 englishtest.duolingo.com — official practice test and booking
- 📝 Take the official practice test in Week 1, and 2 full practice tests in Week 5
- 📰 LeapScholar — DET 2026 format & scoring
- 📰 Open Exam Prep — DET overview (fee, 21-day credit)
- 🧭 Palash adaptive test strategy training
- 🧪 Palash real-time scoring practice
- 🎙️ Palash speaking & writing evaluation
- 🎧 BBC podcasts for listening practice
Where & How You Take It
- 🏠 100% home-based — no test centre, no appointment, any time
- 💻 Laptop/desktop with webcam, mic and speakers (no headphones/earphones)
- 🌐 Supported browser (check official requirements) and stable internet
- 🔇 Quiet, well-lit room; you must be alone; face and ears visible
- 👀 Eyes must stay on screen; no notes, phones or second screens
- 🪪 Passport recommended for Indian test-takers
- 🧪 Run the system check a day before the test
- 🎓 Fee waivers available through partner universities (Access Program)
Results & Validity
- ⏱️ Results within 2 days — 12 hours with paid Faster Results
- 📤 Free score sending to unlimited institutions
- 📋 Validity: 2 years
- 🎥 Writing & speaking samples are sent to institutions with your score
- 💳 Pay by card in USD; test credit is valid for 21 days from purchase
- 🔁 Up to 2 certified tests in any 30-day period
- ⚠️ Rule breaches mean the result is not certified
ℹ️ Information checked 6 Oct 2026 from official and reputable sources. Fees and rules change often — always confirm on the official website before booking.
Palash Academy coaching
Duolingo English Test — Quick, affordable test prep accepted globally
- Familiarity with all DET question types
- Adaptive test strategy training
- Interactive Speaking & Writing practice (new in 2025)
- Home-test setup & proctoring-rules briefing
- Real-time scoring practice
- Speaking & writing evaluation
- Quick turnaround — results in 2 days
