Duolingo English Test 2026: Fees, Registration, Syllabus & Preparation Tips
The Duolingo English Test is a flexible and affordable test that helps you secure your place in English-speaking universities. This test is conducted online, so you don’t need to travel to the centre. You can appear in the test anytime, anywhere. It is accepted by over 6000 universities worldwide. It makes the Duolingo test a good alternative to the PTE and IELTS tests.
As per the latest updates, the Duolingo English Test 2026 continues to expand its global reach, giving wider university acceptances and faster result turnaround within 48 hours. Its flexibility as fully online makes it a strong alternative to the IELTS and TOEFL exams.
What Are the Key Highlights of the Duolingo English Test 2026?
The Duolingo English Test follows a structured format and evaluates your English proficiency in 1 hour. Here is the overview of the Duolingo test 2026 you should know.
Exam Name | Duolingo |
DET Full form | Duolingo English Test |
Most popular for | Studying, working, and migrating to English-speaking countries like the USA and Canada |
Also accepted by | UK, Australia, and New Zealand, among others |
Conducted by | Duolingo |
Mode of Exam | Computer (Online) |
Duolingo Test Fees in India | $59 (INR 4852) |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Result | 2 days |
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is the online exam that measures your ability to read, write, speak and listen in English. It is used for student visa applications and university admissions. The highlights of the DET exam 2026 are
- Format: 100% adaptive online test
- Duration: 1 hour
- Result time: Available within 48 hours
- Test mode: Online, taken from home, using a computer, webcam, and internet connection
It is the affordable, fast and globally accepted test to prove your English proficiency for 2026 admissions.
Duolingo English Proficiency Test – Who Should Take It?
The Duolingo English Test is suitable for students who
- Apply to universities abroad
- Looking for an affordable and convenient option to English proficiency tests
- Want to get English proficiency test results quickly
The quick result delivery of this exam is suitable for applicants who face tight university admissions deadlines.
What is the Duolingo Exam Pattern 2026?
The Duolingo Test is designed to be quick, smooth and user-friendly. It is a 1 hour test. The exam format is split into three main parts. It uses the adaptive model, which means the difficulty for each question depends on how you are performing in real time. Let us look at the test format and sections below
Section | Duration | What It Consists |
1. Adaptive Test | 45 minutes | Short tasks testing Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing in an AI-adaptive format |
2. Speaking Sample (Video Interview) | 1–3 minutes | You respond to an open-ended question on video |
3. Writing Sample | 3–5 minutes | You write a response to a given prompt |
What Is the Duolingo English Test Syllabus and Which Skills Are Assessed?
You must understand each question type to prepare properly. The DET exam has 19 different question types and assesses your English proficiency. Here is the section-wise Duolingo English Test syllabus, given below, with the skill assessed.
Reading & Literacy Question Types
Question Type | Task | Frequency | Time Limit | Skills Tested |
Read and Select | Identify real English words from fake words | 15-18 times | 5 seconds per word | Literacy, Comprehension |
Fill in the Blanks | Complete sentences with missing words | 6-9 times | 20 seconds | Literacy, Comprehension |
Read and Complete | Fill in the missing letters in passage words | 6-9 times | 3 minutes | Literacy, Comprehension |
Complete the Sentences | Select the best sentences to complete the passage | 6 questions | 3-4 minutes | Literacy, Comprehension |
Highlight the Answer | Highlight specific text answering a question | 2 questions | 1-2 minutes | Literacy, Comprehension |
Identify the Idea | Choose a statement representing the passage | 1 question | 1 minute | Literacy, Comprehension |
Title the Passage | Select the best title for the given passage | 1 question | 1 minute | Literacy, Comprehension |
Listening & Comprehension Question Types
Question Type | Task | Frequency | Time Limit | Skills Tested |
Listen and Type | Type what you hear from the audio clip | 6-9 times | 1 minute | Comprehension, Conversation |
Listen and Complete (Added 2025) | Fill in blanks while listening | 2-3 times | Variable | Comprehension, Conversation |
Interactive Listening | Answer questions about conversation | 2-3 times | 5-7 minutes | Comprehension, Conversation |
Speaking & Production Question Types
Question Type | Task | Frequency | Time Limit | Skills Tested |
Interactive Speaking (Added 2025) | Multi-turn conversation with AI | 2 times | Up to 35 seconds per response | Conversation, Production |
Read Then Speak | Read the text aloud clearly | 2-3 times | 20 seconds | Conversation, Production |
Speak About the Photo | Describe the image verbally | 1 time | 30-90 seconds | Conversation, Production |
Speaking Sample | Speak about a detailed topic | 1 time | 1-3 minutes | Conversation, Production |
Writing & Expression Question Types
Question Type | Task | Frequency | Time Limit | Skills Tested |
Write About the Photo | Describe the image in writing | 3 times | 1 minute | Literacy, Production |
Interactive Writing | Two-part writing response | 1 time | 3-5 minutes total | Literacy, Production |
Writing Sample | Extended writing on the topic | 1 time | 3-5 minutes | Literacy, Production |
What Is the Duolingo English Test Price and Fee Structure?
The Indian students who want to study abroad in 2026 can choose the Duolingo Test to prove their English proficiency at an affordable cost. The Duolingo English Test price is $59. It makes it an affordable test compared to the IELTS and TOEFL.
- The Duolingo test fee is $59 for a single test
- Those who book the two tests together can get the ‘best value’ pricing offer.
- Under this offer, the total fees for two tests are $100, which breaks downs to $50 per test.
The advantages of this test are that it gives you free score reporting. You can send the score to multiple international universities at free of costs. You can easily pay the fees by using an international debit or credit card. It makes the exam booking experience smooth for applicants.
What is the Duolingo Test Results & Scoring System?
The Duolingo exam scores are available within 48 hours of test completion. The scoring is done on a 10 to 160 scale, and 160 is the highest score. The distribution of marks is done in four categories, given below.
- English Literacy
- Comprehensive Skills
- Conversational Skills
- Production
The average score of 120 also allows you to enroll in top USA and UK universities. Once you get your score, you can send it to your preferred institutes online with your documents.
Which Universities Accept the Duolingo English Test?
Here are the universities that accept the Duolingo English Proficiency Test
Country | Universities Accepting Duolingo | Typical Score Requirement |
United States (USA) | Harvard University, York University (NYU), University of Chicago, Columbia University, University of California (multiple campuses), Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University | 105–120+ (Top schools may ask 120–130) |
Canada | University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC), McMaster University, University of Waterloo, Simon Fraser University | 105–120 |
United Kingdom (UK) | University of Glasgow, Durham University, University of Southampton, Queen’s University Belfast, Brunel University London, University of Portsmouth | 100–120 |
Australia | Monash University, Deakin University, University of Adelaide, Macquarie University, University of Canberra | 100–115 (Some programs require IELTS for a visa) |
Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, France, etc.) | Technical University of Munich (TUM), University of Amsterdam, Lund University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Paris School of Business | 95–115 |
Ireland | University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University | 100–120 |
Singapore | James Cook University Singapore, PSB Academy, SIM Global | 100–110 |
UAE / Middle East | American University of Sharjah, University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai | 95–110 |
India | Ashoka University, Jindal Global University, Nadar University | 95–110 |
Duolingo English Test vs IELTS vs TOEFL: What is the difference?
Here is the comparison guide on the duolingo vs IELTS Vs TOEFL test
Feature | Duolingo English Test | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
Test Mode | Online from home | Test centre (paper or computer) | Test centre or home edition |
Duration | 1 hour | 2.5 hours | 2 hours |
Fees | Lower | High | High |
Result Time | 48 hours | 5–7 days | 4–6 days |
Score Range | 10 – 160 | 0 – 9 band | 0 – 120 |
Score Validity | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Score Sending | Unlimited, FREE | 5 free, then paid | 4 free, then paid |
Test Availability | 24/7, on demand | Fixed dates | Frequent dates |
Test Format | Adaptive, integrated tasks | Section-based (LRWS) | Section-based (LRWS) |
Speaking Section | AI + Video recording | Face-to-face with the examiner | Recorded on a computer |
Global Acceptance | 5,000+ universities (growing) | Widely accepted worldwide | Widely accepted worldwide |
Visa Acceptance | Varies by country | Accepted for visas | Accepted for visas |
Convenience | Very high (home-based) | Medium | Medium–High (home or centre) |
Difficulty Level | Moderate (adaptive) | Moderate to High | Moderate to High |
How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
To prepare for the Duolingo English test, you should improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Here are some preparation tips for you
- Review the latest exam format and question types
- Take the official free practice test on duolingo website
- Build your strong grammar and vocabulary through daily reading and listening practices
- Practice writing clear and short answers within time limits
- Strengthens your speaking fluency by record practice responses
- Ensure the proper test environment with a secondary camera and a stable internet connection
It is suggested to study 30-45 minutes a day by using official DET material and achieve the highest score of 120 or more.
What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid in the Duolingo Exam?
Here are the common mistakes to avoid in the Duolingo exam.
Mistake | How to Avoid It |
Not understanding the test format | Take practice tests and become familiar with the format. |
Ignoring time limits | Track time during the test, and don’t dwell too long on any one question. |
Skipping the speaking section | Practice speaking confidently and take the section seriously. |
Poor internet connection | Ensure a stable internet connection before the test. |
Not following instructions | Read all instructions carefully and follow them precisely. |
Overthinking answers | Trust your instincts and answer questions quickly. |
Not practicing enough | Set a separate time for regular practice in all language skills. |
Failing to prepare for writing | Practice writing clear and structured responses before the exam. |
Relying too much on translation | Always think in English to avoid translation errors. |
Failing to relax | Practice relaxation techniques to reduce test anxiety. |
The Final Words
The Duolingo exam has become a reliable and affordable way for students to prove their English proficiency for the 2026 intake. Its simple online format, affordable fees and quick results make it a strong alternative than traditional tests. There are thousands of universities worldwide that accept the Duolingo scores. It gives the faster route to students to access global education.
Feel free to reach via contact us form.
Have a question?
The IELTS exam measures your English skills for studying, working, or migrating abroad. Universities, employers, and immigration bodies use it to assess your ability to communicate in English through Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. It is accepted in 12,500+ global institutions.
The Duolingo Test fee is $59. The test is cheaper compared to other English proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL.
The duration of the Duolingo exam is 1 hour, and evaluates your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
The results are released within 48 hours of the test.
Yes, the DET test is accepted worldwide by over 6000 universities and colleges worldwide.
Yes, you can retake the test up to 2 times in 30 days by buying a new attempt each time.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is easier than IELTS or TOEFL because of the flexibility and adaptive format.
Top Ivy League Admits
