Duolingo English Test Explained: Format, Scoring and Acceptance

The Duolingo English Test, usually shortened to DET, is the newest of the major English tests and the most different. It is taken online, at home, in about an hour, and it uses an adaptive format in which the questions get harder or easier as you answer. Its speed and convenience have made it popular with applicants, and its acceptance has grown at many universities. It is not accepted everywhere, though, and the places where it is not can matter a great deal.

This guide explains how the test works, what scores mean, where it is accepted, how to prepare and what to check before you book.

How the test works

The DET is a computer-adaptive test. The system chooses each question based on your answers so far, so the difficulty adjusts to your level. This is why the test can be short and still give a score across a wide range.

The test has these main parts:

• An adaptive section made up of many short question types that test reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
• A video interview, in which you respond to prompts, with the recording shared with institutions.
• A writing sample, which is also shared with institutions.

It takes about an hour overall, according to the provider, though timings can vary. You take the test on your own computer, usually in a browser, with a camera and microphone.

Question types

Because the test is adaptive, the question types are varied and short. They have included tasks such as:

• Reading and selecting real words from a list.
• Listening and typing what you hear.
• Reading aloud a sentence.
• Describing an image or answering a question in speaking and writing.
• Completing missing letters in a passage.
• Listening to a short passage and responding.
• Writing and speaking in response to prompts.

Question types change from time to time, so look at the official test guide and sample questions for the current list.

Scoring

Scores range from 10 to 160, in steps of five. You receive an overall score and sub-scores for broad areas, such as literacy, comprehension, conversation and production, depending on the current reporting. Results usually arrive within a few days, and you can share them with as many institutions as you like. Institutions publish the score they require, and the test provider publishes guidance on how its scores relate to other tests and to the CEFR. Treat unofficial conversion tables with care, and use the tables given by the university.

Who accepts it

Many universities accept the DET for admission, and the number has grown quickly. But acceptance differs widely:

• Some institutions accept it as an alternative to IELTS or TOEFL.
• Some accept it only for certain programs or levels.
• Some do not accept it at all, including a number of highly selective universities, according to sources we checked.

Always check the specific program's page, and confirm by email if it is unclear. Do not assume that because a university has accepted it before, it accepts it this year.

Visas and the DET

Visa rules are separate from admission rules. Some countries require a government-approved test for particular visa routes. In the United Kingdom, for example, many Student visa applicants need to show English through an approved Secure English Language Test, unless they qualify for an exemption, and the sources we checked say the DET is not on the approved list. Other countries have different rules. Check official immigration websites and your university's international office, and plan for a second test if one is required.

Strengths and limits

For a comparison with the other main options, see our guide on IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo English Test.

The home test environment

The test is monitored, and you must follow the rules.

• A quiet, private room, with no one else present.
• A computer that meets the technical requirements, with a working camera and microphone.
• A stable internet connection.
• Valid photo identification.
• A clear desk, with no phones, notes or other devices.
• An uninterrupted period.

Test your setup in advance with the provider's check, and follow the instructions carefully. Breaking the rules can invalidate the test.

How to prepare

• Use official practice and the test guide, to see the question types.
• Build your general English: read, listen and speak daily.
• Practice speaking and writing on camera and with timers.
• Work on typing speed and accuracy, since several tasks are timed.
• Learn to answer quickly without long pauses.
• Practice in the same setup you will use on test day.

Our guide to how to learn a language faster offers methods that apply to any English test.

Advice for test day

• Check your equipment and connection ahead of time.
• Set up your room and your ID.
• Stay calm if a question seems unusual, since the adaptive design means that the test continues.
• Speak clearly into the microphone and write in full sentences.
• Do not leave the camera frame.
• Keep to the rules exactly.

Retakes and score validity

You can usually retake the test, with a waiting period or fee depending on the provider's current policy. Scores are generally valid for two years. If you do not reach your target, review your sub-scores, work on your weakest area and retake with enough time before your deadline.

Sharing your results and what institutions see

After the test, you choose which institutions receive your results, and many can be added at no extra charge, according to the provider. Institutions can see your scores, and often your video interview and writing sample, so treat those tasks as part of your application. Speak clearly and naturally, answer fully and write in complete, organized sentences. If a university asks for a minimum on each sub-score as well as the overall, check that your report meets both.

Is it right for you?

The DET suits applicants who are comfortable with computers, who need a result quickly and who apply only to institutions that accept it. It suits less well anyone who needs a test for a visa that requires a government-approved test, or anyone applying to institutions that do not list it. If your list mixes accepting and non-accepting institutions, you may need two tests, or a single widely accepted test such as IELTS or TOEFL that covers everything. Calculate the cost and time of the whole plan, not only of the first test.

Technical problems on test day

Problems happen. Know in advance what to do if your connection drops, your camera stops working or someone enters the room. The provider publishes guidance on how interruptions are handled, and in some cases you can resume or retake. Keep screenshots or notes of any error, contact support promptly and avoid leaving the test environment in a way that breaks the rules. Reducing risk is the best strategy: use a wired connection if you can, close other programs, charge your laptop and tell people in your home not to enter.

Common mistakes

• Not checking whether your universities accept it.
• Assuming it is valid for a visa.
• Poor equipment or setup.
• Skipping practice with the question types.
• Rushing the speaking and writing tasks.
• Not planning for a second test, when one is required.
• Using outdated information about format.

A quick checklist

• Do my universities accept the DET?
• Does my visa require a different test?
• Have I looked at official practice and sample questions?
• Is my computer, camera and room ready?
• Have I allowed time for a retake?
• Do I have a backup plan?

Final thoughts

The DET is a convenient test with real strengths, as long as your institutions accept it. Check acceptance and visa rules first, practice the question types and prepare your home setup carefully. If any uncertainty remains, take a more widely accepted test, and keep your options open.