Duolingo English test (DET) assesses candidates’ language proficiency in order to determine their eligibility to relocate to any English-speaking nation or even if they plan to teach English as a foreign language in another country. This online English test only takes 1 hour to complete, and the results are delivered within 48 hours! Duolingo English language Test validity, like any other English language exam, assesses students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. This blog will walk you through the important steps and updates of the Duolingo English Test.
What Is Duolingo English Test?
Duolingo is an online English language proficiency test that assesses your level of English fluency. You can take a test online from anywhere in the world, anytime. The Duolingo English Test validity makes it extremely adaptable. This means that the difficulty level increases with each correct answer. If you get it wrong, the next question will be much easier. You can also opt for the updated test version, which includes a ten-minute interview and the ability to record your responses to all open-ended questions.
Why Choose Duolingo Test?
Duolingo’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are simple and intuitive. Duolingo can be accessed through Facebook, Gmail, or Google accounts. The Duolingo enrollment process takes about 1-2 minutes. Signing in is as simple as three steps.
The first stage is to choose a language, the second is to explain why you want to learn it, and the third is to set a goal. There are several alternatives in the choose a goal phase, including Casual (5 minutes), Regular (10 minutes), Serious (15 minutes), and Intense (15 minutes) (20 minutes).
All candidates must download the Duolingo app. Duolingo is mostly used to gain admission to top US colleges’ undergraduate programmes. In addition to the English exam, Duolingo Study French is popular among students who wish to learn a foreign language.
Duolingo Eligibility Criteria & Documents Required
No academic records or transcripts are required. Anybody who wishes to take the test may do so without difficulty. However, a few rules must be followed. To be eligible to take this English Test, you must meet the following requirements:
- Driver’s License/Government-Issued Identification Card/Passport
- A Room With Adequate Lighting.`
- A Reliable Internet Connection.
- Computer/Laptop.
- Webcam Or A Working Front-Facing Camera.
- The Microphone Is Operational.
- Speakers.
| Duolingo English Test Duration ⏱️ The whole test lasts for an hour. It’s split into two parts. The first part, called the Adaptive Section, lasts for 45 minutes. The second part, which includes speaking and writing, takes 10 minutes. |
Is The Duolingo English Test Free?
DET is not free. As of 2025, the standard Duolingo English test fee is USD 65 (approximately INR 5,628 for Indian students). This includes unlimited score submissions to institutions, making it more affordable in the IELTS vs Duolingo comparison. This price includes the ability to send your scores to an unlimited number of institutions at no additional cost, making it one of the more affordable options compared to other English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
Additionally, there are options for savings:
Test Bundle: Candidates can book two tests together for a total fee of USD 110, which reduces the cost per test to USD 55.
While there are no free test options available directly through Duolingo, some universities may offer fee waivers that allow eligible students to take the test without charge. It is advisable to check with specific institutions regarding their policies on fee waivers
Duolingo English Test Scoring System and Subscores
The Duolingo English Test is graded on a scale from 10 to 160. Each correct answer earns you 5 points. Scoring above 120 on the Duolingo exam is equivalent to achieving a score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS. There are no penalties for incorrect answers. Your score report will include your overall score as well as subscores in the following areas:
| Subscore | Description |
| Literacy | Ability to read and write effectively. |
| Comprehension | Skill in understanding spoken and written content. |
| Conversation | Capability to speak and listen proficiently. |
| Production | Competence in writing and speaking. |
Check out how DET scores equate to the TOEFL & IELTS Tests in the table below:
| Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
| 160 | 120 | 8.5-9 |
| 155 | 119 | 8 |
| 150 | 117-118 | |
| 145 | 113-116 | 7.5 |
| 140 | 109-112 | |
| 135 | 104-108 | 7 |
| 130 | 98-103 | |
| 125 | 93-97 | 6.5 |
| 120 | 87-92 | |
| 115 | 82-86 | 6 |
| 110 | 76-81 | |
| 105 | 70-75 | |
| 100 | 65-69 | 5.5 |
| 95 | 59-64 | |
| 90 | 53-58 | 5 |
| 85 | 47-52 | |
| 80 | 41-46 | |
| 75 | 35-40 | 4.5 |
| 70 | 30-34 | |
| 65 | 24-29 | |
| 60-10 | 0-23 | 0-4 |
Duolingo English Test Pattern
The Duolingo English Test (DET) consists of a pattern that assesses various language skills. The test format typically includes the following components:
| Components | Skill Tested | Duration |
| Introduction and onboarding | Check the camera, speakers, and microphone on your computer. You will need to submit a government-issued photo ID. Be sure to review the test rules and requirements to avoid breaking any of them. | 5 mins |
| Adaptive test | The test measures your English skills using different types of questions, including Read and Complete, Read and Select, and Listen and Select. | 45 minutes |
| Writing and Speaking Sample | You will be given a prompt and asked to respond at length. | 10 minutes |
Note: According to the latest update of the Duolingo test pattern, the above pattern includes fill-in-the-blanks, interactive writing, and read-and-select sections, too!
Duolingo English Test Login & Registration
To take the Duolingo English Test (DET) exam, you must first register on the official website. Registration is free and only requires your email address. Follow these steps to register:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Duolingo English Test website.
- Create an Account: Click on the “Sign Up” option, Fill in your email address and create a password.
- Verify Your Email: After registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Click the link in this email to verify your account.
- Log In: Use your email and password to log into your Duolingo account.
- Purchase the Test: Once logged in, click on “Buy Now” to purchase the test. You will be prompted to choose an exam pack and complete the payment process. The test fee is $65 (approximately INR 5,628 ) for one test, with options for booking multiple tests at a discounted rate.
- Login Process: To log in, simply visit the Duolingo English language Test website and enter your registered email and password. Ensure that you have access to a valid government-issued ID (like a passport or driver’s license) as it will be required during the test.
While taking the exam, you can log in to the Duolingo dashboard using the email that you used while signing up.
Duolingo English Test Download The Duolingo English Test Download for your computer is easy. Once you purchase the Duolingo English Test, click download, and installing the DET app will start on your desktop. |
Duolingo English Test Practice
Though you need to practise and build your English skills before any English proficiency exam, you must also take a few practice tests to help you get a grip while writing the paper. At least knowing which section takes how much time can help you a lot!
After You Have Completed The Duolingo English Test, What Happens Next?
After completion, the candidate’s Duolingo exam is submitted to the proctors, and the candidate receives an email stating that they will receive their score within 48 hours. Candidates are notified through mail once the test results are available. Within a 30-day timeframe, test takers can take the Duolingo test twice. A certified test is recognised as the one most applicants take and get graded on. If there are technical difficulties, that time is not tallied toward the two-minute limit.
FAQs
Is a 120 Duolingo score good?
In Duolingo, a score of 120 or higher is considered good. Most universities and educational institutions worldwide consider it a good score on the Duolingo English Test (DET). At most universities, anything between 115 and 120 is also acceptable.
What is the minimum Duolingo score for the USA?
The minimum requirements for Duolingo tests accepted by US universities typically range from 105 to 120. For graduate study programmes like the MBA, MS in Finance, MA in Civil Engineering, etc., a score of greater than 120 is considered quite good.
Is Duolingo test harder than IELTS?
The Duolingo English Test is generally considered more straightforward than IELTS because of its adaptive format and shorter duration (1 hour compared to 2-3 hours for IELTS). However, its difficulty depends on your comfort with technology and ability to adapt to varied question types.
Is the Duolingo English Test Accepted In The USA?
Yes, the Duolingo English Test is accepted in the USA by over 3,000 institutions, including top universities like Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Colorado. It is also widely recognised in other countries such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, making it a reliable choice for international students.
How many times can we take the Duolingo exam?
You can attempt the Duolingo exam up to three times within a 30-day period. However, you must receive your previous test results before retaking it. Use this time to enhance your language skills and prepare for the next attempt effectively.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further