What you need to know about the Duolingo English Test (2026 update)
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The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a fast, affordable online English proficiency test now accepted by more than 5,000 universities worldwide. Here's what's changed for 2026.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online, adaptive assessment that measures how well you read, listen, write, and speak English. If English is not your first language and you are applying to study abroad, most universities will ask you to prove your proficiency, and DET has become one of the fastest, cheapest, and most convenient ways to do that. Here is what has changed for 2026, and what you need to know before you register.
What's new in 2026
DET is now accepted by more than 5,000 universities and programmes worldwide, up from around 4,500 a couple of years ago, and all eight Ivy League universities accept it. Around 95% of the US News Top 100 accept it for undergraduate admissions, and acceptance among graduate programmes with large international cohorts has grown to more than 75%.
The test itself has evolved too. Duolingo has been phasing out simple "listen and select" recognition tasks in favour of interactive listening exercises designed to mirror real conversation, so the test now leans more on practical comprehension than rote recognition. The core adaptive format is unchanged: question difficulty adjusts in real time based on how you're doing, so you're not stuck answering questions that are far too easy or too hard for your level.
The test now costs USD 65, taken entirely online in about an hour, with results typically returned within 48 hours.
How DET compares with IELTS and TOEFL
It's shorter. DET takes about an hour, compared with two to three hours for TOEFL or IELTS.
It's cheaper. USD 65 for DET, versus upwards of USD 200 for IELTS or TOEFL in most countries.
Results come back faster. Around 48 hours for DET, compared with 4 to 8 days for TOEFL and a minimum of 13 days for IELTS.
It's fully at-home. No test centre visit or advance booking, taken on your own computer whenever suits you, within your test window.
One real limitation: visas. As of early 2026, the UK Home Office requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for a student visa, and DET is not currently an accepted SELT. Some UK universities accept DET for the admissions decision itself, but you would still need an approved test such as IELTS for your visa application, so check both requirements separately if the UK is on your list.
What score do you need?
DET is scored from 10 to 160, in steps of 5, alongside separate sub-scores for literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production. Requirements vary widely by institution and programme, but as a general guide:
90 to 100 for many pathway and foundation programmes
105 to 120 for most undergraduate programmes
115 to 130 for more selective and postgraduate programmes
120 to 135+ for Ivy League and other highly competitive schools
These are general ranges rather than fixed rules, since requirements are set programme by programme and can change. Always confirm the exact score your target course asks for on its own admissions page before you register.
Preparing for test day
Take the free practice test on Duolingo's own site as many times as you like to get familiar with the question types.
Build vocabulary breadth rather than depth. Several tasks test whether you can spot real English words quickly, so wide reading helps more than memorising word lists.
Practise typing at a reasonable speed, since some sections run on a tight timer.
On test day, use a quiet, well-lit, private room, a computer with a working front-facing camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection. Your face and ears need to stay visible throughout, and no notes, headphones, or other people in the room are allowed.
FAQs
Which universities accept the Duolingo English Test?
What is a good Duolingo English Test score?
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for a UK student visa?
Is the Duolingo English Test easier than IELTS?
How long are Duolingo English Test results valid?
Planning to fund your degree, too?
Once your English test is sorted, financing is usually the next big question on the list. Prodigy Finance lends to international postgraduate students without a co-signer or collateral, based on your future earning potential.
