What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency test accepted by thousands of universities and programmes around the world. You take it on your own computer, at home, in about one hour.
The test is adaptive: questions get easier or harder depending on your answers. Your overall score is given on a scale from 10 to 160, and results usually arrive within about two days. Scores are valid for two years.
Rules, prices and accepted institutions can change, so always check the official Duolingo English Test website before you book.
What the test measures
Besides the overall score, the DET reports four subscores. Each one combines two skills:
- Literacy — reading and writing
- Comprehension — reading and listening
- Conversation — listening and speaking
- Production — writing and speaking
Choose your target score
There is no single “good” DET score. Each university, programme and visa route sets its own minimum, and some also ask for minimum subscores.
Write down the exact score required by every programme you apply to, then aim a little above the highest one to keep a safety margin.
A 4-step study plan
Random study wastes weeks. Here is the 4-step loop every NeoSkills learner follows:
- Find your level with an adaptive diagnostic, skill by skill.
- Focus on your weakest subscores first, with targeted question types.
- Get feedback on every speaking and writing answer, then try again.
- Take timed mock tests regularly to train timing and measure progress.
How long should you prepare?
It depends on the gap between your current level and your target, and on how much time you can study each day. A small gap can close in a few weeks of focused practice; a large one can take several months.
Not sure how long you need? The free diagnostic tells you in 15 minutes, before you book your test date.
Prepare your test-day setup
The DET is taken at home, so your setup matters as much as your English. Check the official requirements, and prepare:
- A quiet, well-lit room where you are alone
- A computer with a working camera, microphone and speakers
- A stable internet connection
- A valid identity document accepted by the test
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare for the Duolingo English Test online?
Yes. The test itself is taken online, and you can prepare fully online with a diagnostic, lessons, practice for every question type and timed mock tests.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted by universities?
Thousands of institutions accept it, but requirements differ. Always check the admissions page of each programme before you apply.
How hard is the Duolingo English Test?
The test adapts to your level, so everyone sees questions that challenge them. What matters is your score compared with the score your programme requires.
Is a NeoSkills score an official DET score?
No. NeoSkills gives preparation estimates. Official scores are issued only by Duolingo.