DET – Duolingo English Test
The DET (Duolingo English Test) is an alternative to traditional tests like TOEFL and IELTS. It offers a flexible and affordable option for English language assessment. The test assesses a candidate’s proficiency in English reading, writing, speaking and listening. It is recognized by thousands of universities around the world.
| Exam Name | DET |
| Full Name | Duolingo English Test |
| Official Website | https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants |
| Conducted by | Duolingo, Inc. |
| Recognised by | 5000+ Universities around the world |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Exam Registration Fee | INR 4,920 (INR 8,134 for two tests or test bundle) |
| Skills Tested | English Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening |
Eligibility
- Test takers should be at least 13 years old. Minors might need parental consent depending on their country’s laws.
- There are no academic qualifications or prerequisites required to take the DET. This means you don’t need specific educational achievements to register.
- Verifying the identification of the exam taker requires a valid government-issued photo ID. The name used to register for the test and the name on the ID must match.
- A computer with a camera, microphone, speakers, and a reliable internet connection.
Syllabus
The Duolingo English Test is designed to assess real-world language ability through a computer-adaptive test.
The exam measures the below-written skills.
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Listening
Duolingo Test Structure
The Duolingo Test is a computer-based assessment where test-takers and test sessions determine the degree of difficulty.
The test consisted of 3 structures.
- Introduction and Onboarding – 5 minutes : The test takers have to ensure that their computer’s camera, speaker, and microphone are working properly. They need to submit their id and have to go through the rules and requirements thoroughly.
- Adaptive test – 45 minutes : The test examines a student’s adeptness with the English language by setting up different types of questions for the students. The difficulty level of the questions changed as per the candidate’s performance.
This section uses AI to personalise the difficulty based on your performance. Questions can involve:
- Reading aloud: Reading sentences aloud.
- Describing photos: Writing or speaking about a picture.
- Completing sentences: Filling in missing words.
- Identifying correct English: Choosing real English words or phrases.
- Listening comprehension: Answering questions based on audio clips.
- Writing and Speaking Sample – 10 minutes : The test takers are given a prompt and asked to respond. There is time stipulated for writing and speaking. Speaking samples have a time allocation of 1-3 minutes, while writing samples are allotted 3-5 minutes.
Duolingo Score Interpretation
| Scale | CEFR | Candidate Capabilities |
| 10 – 55 | A1/A2 | Understand very basic English Understand straightforward information |
| 60 – 85 | B1 | Understand the main points of concrete speech or write a routine school or job-related matter |
| 90 – 115 | B2 | Fulfil communication goals Interact with proficient speakers |
| 120 – 160 | C1/C2 | Understand demanding written and spoken language. Proficiency in the English language for both social, academic and professional purposes |
Where is the Duolingo test result accepted?
The 2024 data says Duolingo test results are accepted in all continents, ie., North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.
All the prominent countries in the world, ie., the USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Germany, France and Italy; more than 110 countries in the world accept Duolingo test results.