In 2019, Duolingo launched an English proficiency test you could take at home for $65. Universities laughed. By 2026, more than 5,000 institutions accept it — including Yale, Columbia, MIT, and hundreds of UK universities — and it's the fastest-growing English test in the world. The catch is that some universities still won't touch it, and the test format is genuinely unusual. Here's what you need to know before you decide whether to take it.
FreeStudentTools breaks down how the Duolingo English Test (DET) works, what each section actually tests, and how to prepare for a score above 120.
How does the Duolingo English Test work?
The DET is taken entirely online at home, using your laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone. The total test time is about 60 minutes: a 10-minute setup and ID verification, then 45–55 minutes of actual testing. The test is adaptive — it adjusts question difficulty based on how you're doing — so no two candidates see exactly the same questions.
You get your results within 2 days (often within hours). You can send results to as many institutions as you like at no extra cost — which is a significant advantage over IELTS and TOEFL, which charge $20+ per additional institution.
Cost: $65 USD per attempt. If you want to retake it, you can do so after a 30-day waiting period.
What sections does the Duolingo English Test have?
The test combines reading, writing, listening, and speaking questions throughout a single adaptive section. There's also a Video Interview and Writing Sample at the end — these aren't scored, but they're shared with institutions alongside your score.
| Section | What it includes | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Test | Mixed question types: type-what-you-hear, read-and-select, write-about-the-photo, speak-about-the-photo, listen-and-type, read-aloud, fill-in-the-blanks, interactive reading/listening/writing | ~45 min |
| Video Interview | 1–3 unscored open-ended questions about yourself, goals, and interests. Recorded and sent to institutions. | ~5 min |
| Writing Sample | A short essay prompt. Unscored, but sent to institutions alongside your results. | ~5 min |
How is the Duolingo English Test scored?
The DET uses a scale of 10–160. The overall score is accompanied by four subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. Each subscore gives institutions a more detailed picture of your abilities.
| DET Score | Approximate IELTS equivalent | Approximate TOEFL equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 90–105 | 5.5–6.0 | 61–78 |
| 105–115 | 6.0–6.5 | 79–93 |
| 115–125 | 6.5–7.0 | 94–101 |
| 125–135 | 7.0–7.5 | 102–110 |
| 135–145 | 7.5–8.0 | 110–120 |
| 145+ | 8.0+ | 120 |
Most universities that accept the DET require a score of 110–125 for undergraduate admission and 115–130 for postgraduate. Highly competitive programmes — MBA, law, medicine — typically require 130+.
What types of questions appear in the adaptive section?
The DET's question types are different from IELTS and TOEFL, and many candidates underperform on their first attempt simply because they've never seen the format. Here's what you'll encounter:
- Type what you hear: An audio clip plays. You type exactly what you hear, including every word. Accuracy matters more than speed. Missing small words like "the" or "a" does cost points.
- Read and select: A list of words or non-words is displayed rapidly. You select only the real English words. Tests vocabulary depth — the non-words are plausible but incorrect. You can't look words up.
- Write about the photo: A photo appears for a few seconds, then disappears. You write a description of what you saw in 1 minute. Tests observation, vocabulary, and sentence construction under time pressure.
- Speak about the photo: Same format, but spoken. You have a few seconds to see the photo, then 30 seconds to describe it aloud.
- Read aloud: A sentence appears briefly, then disappears. You read it aloud from memory. Tests pronunciation, memory, and rhythm.
- Fill in the blanks: A word appears letter by letter. You complete it when you recognise it. Tests vocabulary breadth.
- Interactive Reading/Listening/Writing: Longer comprehension tasks introduced in recent test versions. Tests sustained comprehension and written expression.
How should you prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
The DET doesn't have a single-skill focus like IELTS Speaking or TOEFL Writing. Everything is integrated and adaptive. That changes how you prepare.
Start with official practice tests. Duolingo offers free sample questions and practice tests at englishtest.duolingo.com. Take at least two under real conditions — using only your webcam and microphone, no notes, no pausing. Your first practice score tells you where your starting point is.
- For Read and Select: The fastest improvement comes from reading broadly in English — news, books, essays. When you encounter unfamiliar words, don't skip them. Look them up and note whether they're useful academic vocabulary.
- For Type what you hear: Listen to podcasts at 1.0x speed and try to transcribe 30 seconds verbatim. Then check your transcription against a transcript. Even strong English speakers miss small function words ("had", "been", "the") under time pressure.
- For Write about the photo: Use specific, precise vocabulary — "a woman in a red jacket is gesturing toward a whiteboard" not "a lady is pointing at something". Three to four well-constructed sentences score better than seven vague ones.
- For Speak about the photo: Same principle — specific details, clear structure. Lead with the setting, then describe the main action, then add one detail. Don't try to describe everything.
- For Read aloud: The sentence disappears after a few seconds. Don't panic if you forget a word — keep your cadence smooth. A natural rhythm scores better than a robotic reading of every word you remember.
What should you do during the video interview and writing sample?
These aren't scored, but they go directly to the admissions offices reviewing your application. Treat them like a personal statement and a job interview compressed into 10 minutes.
For the video interview: answer the question directly in the first sentence, give one or two specific supporting details, and speak at a natural pace. Don't try to fill every second of silence — a measured, confident delivery is more impressive than rushing to hit a time limit.
For the writing sample: write in clear, structured paragraphs. One main idea per paragraph, a brief introduction, and a clear conclusion. Your goal is to show coherent thinking and accurate grammar — not to impress with complexity. Simple sentences written correctly beat complex sentences with errors every time.
Is the Duolingo English Test right for you?
It depends on where you're applying and how you learn. The DET works well if you're applying to multiple institutions (unlimited score sending is a genuine saving), if you need results quickly (2 days vs 2–13 days for IELTS), or if the home-based format is more accessible for you. It's harder to prepare for because the question types are unusual, and the photo description sections require a specific kind of quick-observation practice you won't find in IELTS prep books.
The DET doesn't work if your target institutions don't accept it — which is still the case for some Russell Group and Ivy League programmes. Check before you book.
For a full comparison of the DET against IELTS and TOEFL across 12 criteria — cost, test centres, retake policy, score validity, and institution acceptance — see our IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo comparison guide. If you're committed to IELTS, the IELTS Speaking guide covers what examiners score and how to prepare for all three parts.
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