The Duolingo English Test (DET) was built for today's international student: entirely online, available on demand, and completed in under an hour from the comfort of your own home. The DET is accepted at more than 5,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including many in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, making it one of the fastest-growing English proficiency tests available.
Test Format
The DET is an adaptive question difficulty that adjusts in real time based on your responses. The full test has two parts:
Adaptive Test (45 minutes): Reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks, including read and select, listen and type, speak about the photo, and write about the photo
Video Interview and Writing Sample (10 minutes): Sent to institutions alongside your score for additional context
Results are certified within 48 hours and can be shared with unlimited institutions at no extra cost, a significant advantage over IELTS and TOEFL.
Duolingo Score Requirements
Destination / Purpose | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
US Universities (undergraduate) US Universities (top-ranked) UK Universities Australian Universities Canadian Universities | 105-120 120-135 100-120 90-110 100-120 |
Limitation to Know
The Duolingo English Test is not currently accepted for Australian student visa applications or most immigration pathways. If you need an English test for both university admission and a student visa, you will still need IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL for the visa component. For US university applications specifically, the DET is a compelling option, approximately USD 65 and significantly more convenient than the alternatives.
Preparation Tips
Practice adaptive test formats: unlike IELTS, question types will vary each time
The video interview cannot be scripted: practice speaking naturally about everyday topics
A stable internet connection and functioning webcam are essential to test your setup before exam day
Duolingo's own practice platform provides the most realistic preparation experience
How Gemini Education Helps
Our advisors keep up to date with which universities on your shortlist accept the DET, what scores they require, and in case if you need a separate English test for your student visa.
Book a Free Consultation
Next step
Start your Australia journey with GEMINI Education