TL;DR – What You Need to Know
- What it is: A fully online, adaptive English proficiency test accepted by 6,000+ universities worldwide
- Official price: $70 USD · Comet price: $60 USD (save up to 15%, delivered in under a minute)
- Results: As little as 24 hours
- Score scale: 10–160, with most competitive programmes asking for 110–130+
- This page: Your starting point for every DET question – discounts, redemption, scores, cost, prep, universities, and comparisons to IELTS, TOEFL and PTE
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a fully online, AI-scored English proficiency exam that students take from home in about an hour, with results back in as little as 24 hours. It’s accepted by more than 6,000 universities and programmes worldwide, including Yale, MIT, University College London, and the University of Toronto.
Unlike the IELTS or TOEFL, there’s no test centre, no appointment booking, and no waiting weeks for a slot. You need a computer, a webcam, a microphone, and a stable internet connection. The test is available 24/7, every day of the year.
Why students are switching to DET:
- Cheaper. $70 per attempt (or $60 through Comet), versus $200–$300+ for TOEFL and IELTS
- Faster results. As little as 24 hours, versus up to 13 days for IELTS
- Free unlimited score reports. Send your score to as many universities as you want, at no extra cost
- No travel. Take it from your bedroom, at 2am if that’s when you’re free
- Broad acceptance. Recognised across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and a fast-growing list of European destinations
Explore the full DET guide series
This hub links out to every resource Cialfo has built on the Duolingo English Test. Whichever stage of the process you’re at, there’s a dedicated guide below.
💰 Getting your test at the best price
How to Get a DET Voucher at a Discount in 2026
Save up to 15% on the DET through Comet, Cialfo’s official Duolingo partner. Voucher codes delivered to your inbox in under a minute – the world’s fastest DET voucher platform.
How to Redeem a DET Voucher Code (Step-by-Step)
Bought your voucher? Here’s the exact, screenshot-by-screenshot process for applying it at checkout on englishtest.duolingo.com, plus fixes for the most common redemption errors.
How Much Does the DET Cost? Full Breakdown
Every cost associated with the DET, from the base test fee to retakes, currency conversion, and how it stacks up financially against IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE once you factor in score-reporting fees.
📊 Understanding your score
DET Scores: Scale, Requirements & What’s a Good Score
How the 10–160 scale works, what subscores mean, what counts as a “good” score for your target universities, and how DET scores convert to IELTS and TOEFL bands.
📝 Deciding and preparing
DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE: Which Should You Take?
A side-by-side comparison across cost, format, results speed, and university acceptance, so you can choose the right test for your situation – not just the cheapest one.
How to Prepare for the DET: Study Plan, Tips & Resources
A section-by-section study plan, free official practice resources, and common mistakes to avoid, whether you have one week or one month to prepare.
🎓 Where you can use it
Universities That Accept DET (Full List by Country)
A country-by-country breakdown of DET-accepting universities across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and beyond – including visa nuances you need to check.
📚 The complete picture
The Complete Guide to the Duolingo English Test
Everything in this hub, combined into one comprehensive reference: what DET is, how it works, what it costs, how to prepare, where it’s accepted, and how it compares to every alternative.
Quick facts snapshot
| Detail | DET |
|---|---|
| Official price | $70 USD (single test) |
| Comet price | $60 USD (save up to 15%) |
| Test length | ~1 hour, adaptive |
| Score scale | 10–160 |
| Typical competitive score | 110–130+ |
| Results speed | As little as 24 hours |
| Score reports | Unlimited, free |
| University acceptance | 6,000+ programmes worldwide |
| Test location | Anywhere with a computer, webcam, and internet |
| Availability | 24/7, every day of the year |
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for the vast majority of universities. Over 6,000 institutions worldwide accept DET, including all Ivy League schools, top UK Russell Group universities, and leading institutions in Canada, Australia, and Ireland. A small number of universities, including Oxford, don’t yet accept it, so always confirm with your specific programme.
If you already know DET is right for you, the fastest way in is a discounted voucher through Comet. If you’re still deciding between DET, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, start with our comparison guide instead.
It depends entirely on your target university and programme. Most competitive programmes ask for 110–130+ on the 10–160 scale. Our DET score guide breaks this down university by university, with IELTS and TOEFL conversion tables.
Budget $60 through Comet, or $70 at full price, per attempt. Our full cost breakdown covers retakes, currency conversion, and how DET’s total cost compares to other English tests once score-reporting fees are included.
Most students prepare for one to four weeks, depending on their starting level and target score. Our DET preparation guide includes study plans for both timelines.
Next steps
Whatever stage you’re at, there’s a guide above built for it. Most students start with the discount voucher guide to save on the test fee, then move to preparation once their test is booked.
→ Get your DET voucher for $60 – instant delivery
Join the community: Have questions? Connect with other DET students in the Comet WhatsApp Community.
Related guides from Cialfo:
- How to Get a DET Voucher at a Discount in 2026
- How to Redeem a DET Voucher Code
- DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE: Which Test Should You Take?
- DET Scores Explained: What’s a Good Score?
- How Much Does the Duolingo English Test Really Cost?
- How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test
- Universities That Accept the Duolingo English Test
- The Complete Guide to the Duolingo English Test
