Should You Take the Duolingo English Test?

If you’re an international student planning to study abroad, proving your English proficiency will be a key part of your application. For decades, tests such as the TOEFL and IELTS have dominated this space. Today, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has emerged as a compelling alternative that deserves serious consideration.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test is an online, computer-adaptive English proficiency assessment developed by Duolingo in 2016. The test evaluates your ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English through a combination of multiple-choice questions, open-ended responses, and a video interview component.

The test adapts to your skill level as you progress. When you answer questions correctly, the difficulty increases. When you struggle, it adjusts downward. The structure is very similar to how the new TOEFL examination works.

The entire test takes about 1h to complete, broken into 3 segments:

• 5-minute introduction and setup
• 45-minute adaptive test
• 10-minute video interview

You receive your results within 48 hours, and scores remain valid for 2 years.

Scoring ranges from 10 to 160, with scores above 120 generally indicating proficiency in English.

The test reports 4 subscores that combine traditional skills:

• Literacy (reading and writing)
• Comprehension (reading and listening)
• Conversation (listening and speaking)
• Production (writing and speaking)

How widely is the DET accepted?

The DET has achieved remarkable acceptance since gaining momentum during the pandemic. According to recent data, over 6,000 institutions in more than 100 countries now accept the test.

USA

In the United States, 98 out of 100 of the top universities ranked by U.S. News accept the DET for undergraduate admissions, including all Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford. MIT, Columbia, and Duke also accept DET scores.

About 75% of U.S. graduate programs with high international student enrollment now accept the test as well.

Canada

In Canada, 90% of top universities by international student enrollment accept the DET for undergraduate admission.

Nearly half of English-medium graduate programs in Canada also recognize the test.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is more mixed.

• Many universities accept the DET, including Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, University College London, the University of Southampton, and Kingston University.
• Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Lancaster University do not currently accept the test.

Ireland

• 15 out of 18 universities accept the DET.
• The Irish government officially recognizes it for student visa applications.

Australia

• Over 90 universities accept DET scores for admission.
• The Australian government does not accept online-only tests for visa applications, meaning you may need a different test for immigration purposes even if your university accepts Duolingo.

DET vs TOEFL vs IELTS: Key differences

Understanding how these three tests compare can help you make an informed decision.

Cost

• The DET costs $70 plus applicable taxes, with unlimited free score reports to institutions.
• TOEFL costs approximately $270 in the United States, with additional fees of $29 per extra score report.
• IELTS ranges from $280 to $340 depending on location. You can send your scores to 5 universities, but you have to pay for each additional send after that.

The cost difference between the three tests is substantial, especially for students who may need to retake the test or send scores to many schools.

Test format and duration

• The DET takes 1 hour and is completed online. You can take it any time within 21 days of purchasing, with no appointment needed.
• The new TOEFL iBT takes about 90 minutes and is done on the computer, either at a testing location or at home.
• IELTS takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, and can be done on paper or digitally.

Flexibility and availability

• The DET offers daily availability since you control when you take it. You can retake the test up to 2 times within a 30-day period.
• TOEFL and IELTS operate on scheduled test dates, which may limit how quickly you can take or retake the exam.
  • IELTS typically offers about 48 test dates per year.
  • TOEFL offers over 60 test dates annually.

Results timeline

Testing environment

The DET requires you to take the test at home with a front-facing camera, and proctors review your recording afterward. You must keep your face and ears visible throughout, avoid notes or mobile devices, and stay focused on the screen.

Some test-takers find the at-home format more comfortable, while others prefer the structured environment of a testing center, like in the case of TOEFL or IELTS.

Score comparisons across tests

While each test measures English proficiency differently, approximate equivalencies can help you understand how scores translate:

Most US universities that accept the DET require scores between 95 and 120 for admission, with competitive programs often expecting scores of 110 or higher.

What students think of the DET

Many students over the years have taken the DET. Here’s what some students have said about the test, and how it compares to the competition.

One student highlighted their positive experience with the DET, claiming that the test was “more fun“ and that hiring comittees didn’t have a preference between TOEFL and DET:

I got a 105 on the TOEFL iBT and a 150 on the Duolingo. I’ve asked several members from admissions teams if they prefer one over the other and they told that not at all.
My score on Duolingo was much higher than my score on TOEFL. I found the Duolingo test to be much more engaging and “fun”. I also felt that the Duolingo tests your true ability and dominance of the english language. The TOEFL feels more rigid and time pressured. If I was you I would take the Duolingo! Just double check if they accept it at your target schools.

A different student mentioned that DET is a great option for students who are proficient at English, want to study in the USA, and simply need to take the test to meet formal language requirements, because it’s cheap and lets you send your scores to multiple universities for free:

If you're applying to the US, took highschool in English, and just need a proficiency test for a checkbox, I'd say Duolingo. It's way cheaper not just upfront but also free to send your scores to as much Universities as you want while the other options charge you per university which can easily pile up if you're an international student like me applying to a lot of unis. If you're looking to use your scores abroad like in Europe or Asia, TOEFL has a much wider international acceptance.

When asked about their experience of DET vs IELTS, another student shared that the DET is “way less intense“ than IELTS, and would be a great fit for students who want a quick turnaround for exams and results:

I’ve attempted both and Duolingo is way less intense than IELTS. It’s shorter, all on your laptop and moves pretty fast with random question types like speaking into the mic, describing images, or rearranging sentences. Since you already got band 8 in IELTS, hitting 140 on Duolingo should be pretty easy for you, just get used to the format so it doesn’t throw you off.

Making your decision

The right test depends on your specific circumstances. Consider taking the DET if:

• Your target universities accept it (always verify this first)
• You’re on a budget
• You are working against tight deadlines and need quick results
• You want flexibility in scheduling and retaking the test
• You get nervous from more “rigid“ testing

Consider TOEFL or IELTS instead if:

• Your target schools do not accept the DET
• You need the test for visa purposes in a country that doesn’t accept the DET
• You feel more confident with the traditional test formats
• You want more prep materials

💡 Many students find that a practical approach works best: check whether all your target schools accept the DET, verify whether you need a different test for visa purposes, and then choose based on cost, convenience, and personal preference.

Conclusion

The Duolingo English Test offers international students a legitimate, widely accepted alternative to traditional English proficiency exams. Its combination of low cost, convenience, quick results, and growing acceptance makes it worth serious consideration for many applicants.

The key is matching the test to your specific needs. Check which test is accepted at your target university (or universities), check what works for your visa requirements, and choose the option that fits those criteria.

For many students, the DET provides everything they need at a fraction of the cost and hassle of the more traditional alternatives, especially if you’re already proficient and just need to tick off a requirement checkbox.