If English is not your first language and you need to prove your proficiency to a university or immigration authority, you have probably already heard about TOEFL and IELTS. But there is a third option that is cheaper, faster, and available from your own home: the Duolingo English Test.
It sounds almost too convenient. So what is the catch? And is it actually accepted where it matters?
This guide is written for international students and non-native English speakers who want straight answers. Here is what the Duolingo English Test is, how scores work, where it is accepted, and how to prepare for it.
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The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a standardized, internet-based English proficiency test administered by Duolingo. It launched in 2016 and has grown steadily in acceptance since, particularly after 2020 when COVID-19 shut down test centers worldwide and universities scrambled to find alternatives.
The test is fully adaptive. That means the questions get harder or easier depending on how you answer, and an AI algorithm is making those decisions in real time. The whole thing takes about one hour.
Unlike IELTS, which splits these into separate timed sections, the DET weaves them together in a single session. You might read a sentence, then speak a response, then listen to something and type what you hear. It moves fast.
Results come back within two days. You can send them to as many institutions as you want at no extra cost.
“For some students, it lowers a critical barrier in the application process. Certain parts of the world are not well served by traditional testing options in terms of test dates and locations.”
— Jeff Tousignant, Head of Marketing, Duolingo English Test, via Top Universities
Duolingo’s founder, Luis von Ahn, had to fly to another country just to sit an English exam when he was applying to universities in the US. The DET was built to fix exactly that problem.
The DET has real traction in North America. Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Northeastern, NYU Stern, Cornell’s Johnson School of Management, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign all accept it. If your target institution is in this category, it is worth checking whether the DET is on their accepted list before booking a more expensive test. Not sure which English test US universities prefer? We break that down in full.
This is where the DET was always intended to do the most good. If the nearest TOEFL or IELTS test center is far away, expensive to reach, or fully booked, the DET removes that obstacle entirely. You take it at home, on your own schedule, any time.
Some UK universities accept it, including the London School of Economics, Imperial College London, UCL, SOAS, Kingston University, and the University of Southampton. Oxford and Cambridge do not. Neither does Lancaster. Always check before assuming.
Ireland officially accepts the Duolingo English Test for student study visa applications, with a minimum score of 75 required for most courses.
Two-day results. Free score sends to unlimited institutions. If you are racing an application deadline, that matters.
The Duolingo English Test scores on a scale of 10 to 160. Your result report includes an overall score plus four subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. Institutions look at both.
Scores above 120 are generally considered proficient. Here is how DET scores compare to IELTS and TOEFL, based on Duolingo’s published equivalency data:
| DET Score | IELTS Equivalent | TOEFL Equivalent | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | 8.5–9 | 120 | C2 |
| 145–155 | 7.5–8 | 113–119 | C1 |
| 125–140 | 6.5–7 | 93–112 | B2 |
| 100–120 | 5.5–6 | 65–92 | B1–B2 |
| 75–95 | 4.5–5 | 35–64 | B1 |
It depends on where you are applying. A rough guide:
Ireland’s immigration authority sets a minimum of 75 for most study visa purposes, as listed on the Irish Immigration Service Delivery website. Your university and your visa authority may have different requirements. Check both.
For a full side-by-side breakdown, see our guide to TOEFL vs IELTS vs Duolingo. Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | Duolingo English Test Most Affordable | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | ~$70 USD | ~$215–$250 USD | ~$205–$245 USD |
| Test Duration | ~1 hour | ~2 hrs 45 min | ~2 hours |
| Score Scale | 10–160 | 0–9 bands | 0–120 total |
| Institutions Accepted | 4,500+ (growing) | 11,000+ worldwide | 12,000+ worldwide |
| Score Validity | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| At-Home Option | Yes (always) | Limited availability | Yes (Home Edition) |
| Results Turnaround | 2 days | 3–13 days | 6–10 days |
| Extra Score Sends | Free, unlimited | Fee per send | Fee per send |
| Best For | Budget, speed & underserved regions | UK, Australia & migration pathways | U.S./Canadian universities & grad schools |
| Speaking Format | Computer-recorded | Face-to-face interview | Computer-recorded |
The DET costs about a third of what IELTS and TOEFL charge. It is faster, more flexible, and accepted at a growing number of institutions. The honest caveat: 4,500 institutions is still well behind IELTS and TOEFL. If you are applying to UK universities outside the list above, or pursuing Australian migration, you will likely still need one of the traditional tests.
The cost is the obvious starting point. At around $70 USD, the Duolingo English test cost is far below what IELTS and TOEFL charge. For students from countries where those fees represent a real financial strain, that gap is significant.
But cost alone is not the full story. The DET is available 24/7, requires no test center visit, and returns results in 48 hours. Score reports go to as many institutions as you choose at no additional cost. If you are applying to six universities, that adds up.
Acceptance has grown steadily too. It expanded rapidly during the pandemic and has continued to gain ground. Top Universities reported that major institutions including Columbia, Yale, and UCL were among early adopters, and the list has grown since.
The DET’s adaptive format means you cannot study your way around the test. There are no templates to memorize, no fixed question order, and no way to game the structure. The test finds your actual level and scores accordingly.
That said, preparation still makes a real difference. Test-takers who go in familiar with the question types, comfortable with the pace, and practiced in spoken English consistently score higher than those who sit it cold.
At ISAL (International School of Applied Languages), we offer Duolingo English test preparation programs designed around how the DET actually works, not how traditional tests work.
Study with other international students in a structured classroom setting. Our instructors focus on the four DET skill areas, with particular attention to the speaking and writing tasks where spontaneous, unscripted responses are required. You get direct feedback on your production and conversation subscores, which is where many students leave points on the table. Prefer working one-on-one? Our one-on-one classes are available too.
Prepare from wherever you are with our online English classes. Work through DET-specific practice sessions, get written feedback on your responses, and build the fluency and reading speed the adaptive test rewards, on a schedule that fits your life.
The Duolingo English Test is a legitimate, fast, and affordable way to prove your English proficiency for university admissions and, in some countries, visa applications. It is not a replacement for IELTS or TOEFL in every situation, but for international students applying to North American universities, those in underserved regions far from test centers, or anyone who needs results quickly, it is worth taking seriously.
Check your target institution’s requirements before you decide. If the DET is on their accepted list, there is no reason to pay three times as much and wait three times as long for the same result.
With the right Duolingo English test practice and a clear target score in mind, you can sit the exam in an afternoon and have your results within two days. ISAL is here to help you get there.
Every year, students from around the world choose ISAL to help them hit their target DET score. Find out what the right preparation can do for your results.
"Duolingo English Test." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duolingo_English_Test. Accessed 25 June 2026.
"English Language Requirements for Study Visas." Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, 16 Sept. 2024, www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/english-language-requirements-for-study-visas/. Accessed 25 June 2026.
Ollerton, Niamh. "Can't Take the TOEFL? Duolingo Might Offer an Alternative." Top Universities, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, 7 Mar. 2021, www.topuniversities.com/student-info/university-news/cant-take-toefl-duolingo-might-offer-alternative. Accessed 25 June 2026.
"About the Duolingo English Test." Duolingo English Test, Duolingo, englishtest.duolingo.com/about. Accessed 25 June 2026.
IELTS, British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English, www.ielts.org/. Accessed 25 June 2026.
"TOEFL iBT Test." ETS, Educational Testing Service, www.ets.org/toefl. Accessed 25 June 2026.
