Check your exact program
Acceptance is program-level, not universal. Duolingo cites 6,500+ accepting programs, but you must confirm yours.
- Check your school's official page
- Ask admissions in writing
- University acceptance is separate from visa rules
Duolingo English Test guide
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a paid, at-home English exam you take in the official desktop app. It is adaptive, uses dual-camera proctoring, and reports a score from 10 to 160.
This guide covers the current test format (including Interactive Speaking), the at-home setup rules, scoring, results timing, and a checklist to run before you spend a credit.
About 1 hourUninterrupted sitting for onboarding, adaptive test, and samples
$70 USDPer certified test credit
10 to 160Overall and subscores in 5-point steps
6,500+ programsInstitutions that accept the DET
Checklist0%
Before you buy a Duolingo English Test credit
Confirm two things before you pay: your program accepts the DET for your intake, and you can meet the dual-camera rules on test day. A certified score only helps if both are true.
Know the overall score you need
The DET reports an overall score from 10 to 160, plus individual and integrated subscores. Use the exact number your program publishes, not a friend's result.
21 days to finish after purchase
One purchase = one credit (a discounted 2-test bundle gives two).
- 21 days to complete the test after purchase
- Up to 3 starts per credit to finish and upload
- Up to 3 tests in any 30-day period
- Wait for a submitted result before booking another
Take the free official practice test
The free practice test is unlimited and takes about 45 minutes. It gives an estimated score range only and is not certified. Use the same type of computer you will test on.
Use only one Duolingo account. If you already have one, even an old unused one, do not create a new account: your credits and certified results are locked to a single account. If that account gets banned, opening a new one will not restore access or recover your credit.
Test format and question types
The full DET sitting runs about one hour and has three parts:
- Introduction and onboarding: ID, room, and camera checks
- Adaptive scored test: mixed Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking items
- Writing and Speaking Samples: scored and shared with your institutions
Item counts below follow Duolingo's official frequency table.
Reading tasks
Closed items · Reading, Literacy, and Comprehension
TimeMixed in adaptive block
ItemsSeveral short + interactive sets
Pace5 to 20 sec items · longer sets
Task
Read and Select
15 to 18 itemsAbout 5 sec each
Each word appears alone for about 5 seconds. Click YES if it's a real English word, NO if it isn't.
- Trust common vocabulary
- Reject invented forms and misspellings
Task
Fill in the Blanks
6 to 9 itemsAbout 20 sec each
Type the missing letters to finish a word in a sentence (~20 sec). Use grammar and meaning, not just the first few letters.
Task
Read and Complete
3 to 6 itemsAbout 3:00 per passage
Type the missing letters for unfinished words in a short passage. Read the full text first, then fill each stem.
Set
Interactive Reading
2 sets × 6 questionsAbout 7:00 or 8:00 per set
A linked set (~7:00 to 8:00) mixing several question types:
- Complete the Sentences
- Complete the Passage
- Highlight the Answer (×2)
- Identify the Idea
- Title the Passage
Keep the whole passage in mind as you go.
Best practices
- Answer something rather than leaving a blank when time is almost gone.
- Misspellings and invented words are common traps in Read and Select.
- In Interactive Reading, use earlier answers to stay oriented in the passage.
At-home setup and test rules
Most uncertified results come from setup and room rules, not weak English. Rehearse the dual-camera layout before you spend a credit.
Technical requirements
Computer
Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+ laptop or desktop. The DET runs in the desktop app only.
Unsupported
Not allowed as the test device:
- Chromebook / ChromeOS
- Linux
- Virtual machines
- Tablets or phones as the primary device
First camera and audio
Built-in or attached camera, microphone, and speakers. No headphones.
Second cameraPhone angle and interruptions are a common reason results are not certified.
A smartphone or tablet must record your entire screen and keyboard continuously for the whole test.
Internet
Stable connection. Duolingo's Help Center cites at least 2 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up as a reference.
ID
Government-issued photo ID with a clear name, date of birth, face, and expiry. A blurry ID can often be resubmitted without a full retake.
Official launch flow
1
Create your account and buy a credit
Buy on englishtest.duolingo.com, then complete the test within 21 days. For a bundle, the second credit's 21-day window starts after your first result.
2
Install the desktop app
Install the official Windows or macOS app. Do not plan around a browser-only sitting.
3
Connect the phone or tablet camera
Follow the desktop app's QR instructions to pair your phone.
- Frame the entire screen and keyboard
- Enable Do Not Disturb
- Never touch or cover the camera mid-test
DET is shifting from a mobile-browser flow to its mobile app, so use whichever path your device shows.
4
Complete every onboarding scan
The test stays locked until you finish each prompt:
- Camera, microphone, and speaker check
- Phone-based face and ID verification
- Both ear scans
- Slow 360° room view
- Scan behind the computer
Then mount the second camera and review the rules.
5
Finish in one sitting
Reserve a full uninterrupted hour. Close other programs, and do not start if anyone might enter the room.
Room and conduct rules
Alone in a private room
No other person can be seen, heard, or interact with you. Prevent walk-ins and background voices.
Face and mouth visible
Keep your face, ears, eyes, and mouth visible. Do not look away except to type.
No notes or extra devices
No paper, notes, extra screens, or other devices in reach. No predictive text or grammar tools.
Speak only when instructed
Do not speak until a task asks you to. Headphones are not allowed.
Payment note
Major cards are supported. Alipay is available in China per Duolingo's payment guidance.
Security outcomes
You get up to 3 starts per credit to finish and upload. Misconduct can expire the credit, suspend testing, or permanently block you.
Never start a paid attempt with a shaky phone mount, notifications on, or an untested computer. Fix the dual-camera setup first.
Scoring on the 10 to 160 scale
The DET overall score runs from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps. It averages your Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, then rounds to the nearest 5.
You also get four integrated subscores:
- Literacy: Reading + Writing
- Comprehension: Reading + Listening
- Conversation: Speaking + Listening
- Production: Speaking + Writing
Closed items are compared to correct answers (partial credit possible). Open responses are graded by an engine on content, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, and pronunciation. Your final Writing and Speaking Samples feed these subscores and are shared with score recipients.
Move the slider in 5-point steps. Band labels are study-planning aids, not official Duolingo titles. Your institution’s published requirement is the only cutoff that matters.
120 to 140Strong academic range for many competitive programsCheck any informal subscore expectations and sample quality
| DET score | Planning focus | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| 145 to 160 | Very high overall · small gaps in Production or Conversation often decide the last points | Confirm your program’s exact minimum and send the certified score |
| 120 to 140 | Strong academic range for many competitive programs | Check any informal subscore expectations and sample quality |
| 105 to 115 | Solid mid-high range · common planning band for many undergraduate targets | Verify the published cutoff before you stop practicing |
| 90 to 100 | Mid range · enough for some programs, short of others | Use another free practice test before buying a retake credit |
| 75 to 85 | Developing academic English under timed adaptive pressure | Prioritize Interactive Speaking and production tasks daily |
| 60 to 70 | Intermediate foundation · certified score may still miss many university cutoffs | Build listening and speaking stamina before another paid attempt |
| 10 to 55 | Early range on the DET scale | Treat the free practice test as diagnosis, not a final attempt plan |
Results, sharing, retakes, and validity
Plan your application calendar around review time, not just the one-hour test. Standard results arrive within about two days.
Standard results
Typically within two days. You get an email as soon as they're available.
Faster Results
Optional paid add-on targeting results within 12 hours, with the same review rigor. Non-refundable and not a certification guarantee.
Score validity
Certified results are valid for two years. After that you can't share or view the certificate, and institutions lose access.
Sending scoresNo per-report fee.
Use the official Share Score flow to send results to up to 40 institutions free. You can add more later while under 40; above 40 needs support and isn't guaranteed.
Retakes
Buy a new credit for each new certified result.
- Up to 3 tests in any 30-day period
- Wait for a submitted result before retesting
- 3 starts per credit, but 2 rule violations expire it
- Possible or evident misconduct can expire it immediately
Visa and immigration
A DET score your university accepts is not automatically valid for a visa. Check the destination country's current immigration rules separately.
Final checklist
Run every item on the same computer, phone, and network you'll use on test day.
Before purchase
Technical rehearsal
Immediately before starting
Start only when dual-camera setup and room rules are solid. A delayed start is cheaper than an uncertified credit.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Duolingo English Test?
About one hour of uninterrupted time: onboarding, the scored adaptive test, and the Writing and Speaking Samples.
How much does the DET cost?
A single certified test costs $70 USD. A discounted 2-test bundle is also available, and the practice test is free.
What changed in July 2025?
From 1 July 2025, Interactive Speaking is live: one set of 6 to 8 spoken questions, about 35 seconds per response.
- It replaced Listen, Then Speak
- Read Aloud was removed
- Read, Then Speak remains
Do I need a second camera?
Yes. Alongside your computer camera, a phone or tablet must record your entire screen and keyboard for the whole test. Weak phone framing is a frequent reason results go uncertified.
When will I get my DET results?
Usually within two days. The paid Faster Results add-on targets 12 hours, uses the same review process, and does not guarantee certification.
How is the overall DET score calculated?
It averages Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, then rounds to the nearest 5 on the 10 to 160 scale. Integrated subscores report Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production.
How many institutions can I send scores to?
Up to 40 institutions free in the Share Score flow, and you can add more later while under that cap. Above 40 needs support and isn't guaranteed.
How long are DET scores valid?
Two years. After that you can't share or view the certificate, and institutions lose access to it.
Is the DET accepted for visas?
Not automatically. University acceptance is not visa acceptance. Some destinations allow the DET for certain routes and many do not, so check the country's current immigration rules first.
Can Linguistic Academy help with the DET?
Yes. Linguistic Academy provides exam help for the Duolingo English Test. Send us your target score, deadline, and test location and we'll confirm support for your sitting.
Official sources
Every fact here comes from the official Duolingo English Test Help Center, blog, and research pages, last checked on 29 July 2026.
Official test structureQuestion type indexInteractive Speaking update (July 2025)Expanded Interactive Listening update (July 2025)Interactive Speaking Help articleReadiness blog ($70, about 1 hour)DET subscores explainedAccepting programs (6,500+)How items are scoredDET Technical Manual (July 2026)Test taker rulesPhased DET mobile-app setup360° room and behind-computer scanEar-scan setupPhone camera recording setupResults timingFaster Results policySending scores to institutions
Related reading
Keep researching the format, then contact Linguistic Academy when you want exam help for a real sitting.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
Short overview of cost, timing, and who the DET suits.
DET Uncertified results
Why Duolingo blocks a score and what to fix before a retake.
Interactive Speaking on the DET
Focus piece on the July 2025 speaking update.
DET exam help
How Linguistic Academy supports candidates on the real test.
iTEP Academic-Plus at-home guide
Another at-home admissions test format with setup checklist.
Contact Linguistic Academy
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