The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency exam accepted by over 5,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The test takes approximately 60 minutes to complete, can be taken from home with a webcam, and delivers results within 2 days. This guide explains the 2026 DET format, scoring scale, what each section measures, which universities accept it, and the most effective preparation strategies.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a computer-adaptive English proficiency exam designed for non-native English speakers who need to demonstrate language proficiency for university admission or professional purposes. It was developed by Duolingo as an accessible, lower-cost alternative to traditional English tests like TOEFL and IELTS. While TOEFL costs around $200+ and IELTS around $250+, the DET costs $65 per attempt.
Key advantages of the DET:
2026 format update: Duolingo updated the DET format in 2026 to add a separate 30-minute Video Interview section (speaking-only) and a Writing Sample section, both graded and included in the official score report. Universities receive both the scored sections and the video interview for review.
Prepare for your exam with our Duolingo English Test practice materials covering all question types.
The DET uses a computer-adaptive format with question types that test multiple skills simultaneously — a single question often assesses reading, writing, and vocabulary at the same time. Understanding each question type helps you prepare efficiently.
Read and Select: Real words and non-words are shown. Select only the real English words. Looks simple but tests vocabulary breadth across all frequency levels. Tip: when uncertain, choose the word that looks most English (phonetically plausible) and avoid words with unusual letter combinations for English.
Listen and Type: An audio clip plays once. Type exactly what you hear. Tests listening accuracy, spelling, and vocabulary. Do not try to transcribe too fast — focus on accuracy over speed. The clip will NOT replay.
Read Aloud: A sentence appears on screen. Read it aloud and record yourself. Tests pronunciation, fluency, and reading comprehension. Speak at a natural pace — rushing causes pronunciation errors that hurt your score.
Write About the Photo: A photo appears. Write 1–5 sentences describing what you see. Tests writing fluency, vocabulary range, and sentence structure. Use varied sentence structures and avoid repetitive phrasing.
Speak About the Topic: A prompt appears. Speak for 30–90 seconds. Tests speaking fluency, coherence, and vocabulary. Use concrete examples, maintain a logical structure, and avoid excessive pausing.
Read and Complete: A passage with blanks. Complete the missing letters to form words. Tests vocabulary and contextual reading. Focus on the first letter shown — it is always provided.
Writing Sample + Video Interview (unscored subscores but sent to universities): A 5-minute writing task and a 10-minute speaking prompt. These are reviewed by admissions but not included in the 10–160 score directly.
Practice the core question types with our Duolingo English test 2026 preparation resources and the Duolingo English test reading and vocabulary section guide.
Different universities set their own DET minimum score requirements. Understanding where your target schools fall helps you set a preparation goal.
Highly competitive programs (130–145+ DET): MIT, Yale, Duke, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and similar top-tier programs often require DET scores of 130 or higher for graduate admission. Some programs require 135+. Check each program's specific requirements — they vary within universities.
Strong programs (115–130 DET): Many well-regarded US universities and UK universities (Russell Group) fall in this range. A score of 120+ is generally competitive for most US state flagship programs.
General admission (105–120 DET): A score of 105 is commonly cited as the baseline for undergraduate admission at many schools. Graduate programs often require 110–120 minimum.
Important note: Always check the specific DET requirement for your target program, not just the institution overall. Graduate school departments and individual programs set their own minimums, which may differ from the university's general requirement. The Duolingo website maintains a searchable list of accepted institutions and their score requirements.