English Proficiency · Fully Online

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Prove your English skills in under an hour, from your own laptop. DET's adaptive format and 48-hour turnaround make it the fastest route to a valid score for your applications.

Chat on WhatsApp
Exam Prep Duolingo English Test
Programme Fee Save 25%
₹7,079
₹9,499

incl. 18% GST · counselling & mock tests included

2 WeeksDuration
2 YearsValidity
10–160Score Scale

Pay ₹0 today — reserve your seat with a free counsellor call

Overview Test Format Test Day Guide Scoring Coaching & Tips Register

What Is the Duolingo English Test?

The DET is a computer-adaptive English proficiency test built by Duolingo. It's designed for applicants who want a quicker, cheaper alternative to legacy exams without giving up recognition — the test adjusts its difficulty in real time based on how you're performing.

What Makes DET Different

Fast, Flexible Scheduling

Book and sit the test on your own timeline, day or night.

Results in 48 Hours

Certified scores land in your inbox within two days.

Taken From Home

No test centre commute — just a laptop, webcam and quiet room.

One Integrated Test

Reading, listening, writing and speaking are all assessed together.

Purpose & Approach

"DET measures how well a candidate reads, writes, listens and speaks English in one continuous, adaptive session — closer to how the language is actually used than a traditional four-paper exam."

Skills-BasedScenario-DrivenUsage-Oriented

Jointly Administered By

Duolingo

Which DET Test Should You Take?

Select based on your goal.

Tight Admission Deadlines

Results available in just 48 hours, test can be taken anytime 24/7.

Budget-Friendly Option

Significantly lower cost (₹4,500–5,000) compared to IELTS/TOEFL (₹15,000+).

Online Exam Preference

Take from home comfort, no need to visit test centres.

USA / Canada / UK Applications

Accepted by 4,000+ universities including top institutions.

Unlimited Score Sending

Send your score report to as many universities as you like, at no extra charge.

Where DET Is Recognised

USACanadaUKAustraliaNew ZealandGermanyNetherlandsIreland

Why Students Pick DET

Affordable Testing

Only $65 per test — significantly cheaper than alternatives.

Test From Home

Take the test anytime, anywhere with just a computer.

Fast Results

Receive certified results within 48 hours.

Adaptive Testing

Questions adjust to your level for accurate assessment.

Video Interview

Showcase your personality with video responses.

Growing Acceptance

Accepted by 5,000+ programs at top institutions.

Test Modules

Reading
Integrated
Listening
Integrated
Speaking
4–8 minutes
Writing
Integrated
Writing & Speaking Sample
4–8 minutes

Reading

Duration: Integrated

Skills Tested

VocabularySentence structureReading comprehension

Guidelines

  • No extra time is given beyond the allotted window
  • Pace yourself — the clock keeps running per question
  • There is no negative marking, so attempt every item

Listening

Duration: Integrated

Skills Tested

Listening accuracySpellingUnderstanding spoken English

Guidelines

  • Each audio clip plays only once — there are no replays
  • A working webcam and microphone are checked before you begin
  • Test your headphones/speaker volume beforehand if allowed

Speaking

Duration: 4–8 minutes

Skills Tested

PronunciationFluencyIdea organization

Guidelines

  • Recorded responses are reviewed by both AI and human raters
  • Speak naturally — there is no live examiner on this test
  • Aim to fill the available response time where possible

Writing

Duration: Integrated

Skills Tested

GrammarCoherenceVocabulary usage

Guidelines

  • The second writing task typically carries more weight than the first
  • Keep an eye on the timer — there is no auto-save warning
  • Prioritise clear structure over trying to sound advanced

Writing & Speaking Sample

Duration: 4–8 minutes

Skills Tested

Holistic assessmentSent directly to universities

Guidelines

  • This section is optional but strongly recommended
  • Universities receive it alongside your score report
  • It gives admissions officers a fuller picture beyond the number

Test Delivery Options

At-Home Test

Take the test on your own computer, anywhere, at any hour.

Available Globally

Computer with camera, microphone and stable internet

Free Practice Test

A 15-minute mock test to get comfortable with the interface.

Unlimited Attempts

Same interface and question types as the real test

Note: Both formats carry the same difficulty and scoring — pick whichever fits your schedule and result timeline.

Your Test Day, Step by Step

1

ID Check

Keep your original, valid passport ready — the same one used at registration. Photocopies, digital scans or expired passports are not accepted.

2

System Check

Run the built-in webcam, microphone and internet-speed check a few minutes early — the test won't start until it passes.

3

Identity & Room Verification

Identity Verification
  • Passport check against your camera feed
  • A live photograph capture
Room Scan
  • 360° webcam sweep of your test space
  • Confirms the room is quiet and empty
4

Camera & Room Setup

DET uses two cameras instead of an in-person invigilator: your computer's webcam faces you throughout, and your phone sits beside you as a second angle.
Keep Nearby
  • Your phone, positioned to the side as the required second camera
  • Your original passport, for the ID check
Keep Away
  • Notes, books, or a second screen
  • Other people in the room
  • Any other electronic devices
5

During the Test

One continuous ~1-hour session, in three parts:

Introduction ~5 minutes
Adaptive Test ~45 minutes
Writing & Speaking Sample ~10 minutes
All three parts run back-to-back with no breaks in between.
Allowed
  • Using a pencil for scratch notes on paper-based sittings
  • Asking the proctor a non-content procedural question
  • Staying quietly focused for the full session
Not Allowed
  • Talking to anyone else during the test
  • Any form of copying or external assistance
  • Using a phone, smartwatch or other electronic device
  • Leaving your seat without proctor permission
Test CancellationScore WithheldAccount Ban
6

After the Test

48 HoursTypical result turnaround
UnlimitedFree score reports sent to universities
7

Exam Day Tips

Sleep properly the night before
Eat something light beforehand
Stay calm — nerves affect fluency more than knowledge
Read every instruction fully before answering
Attempt every question — there is no penalty for guessing
Keep an eye on the clock throughout
8

Key Takeaways

Take it from a quiet, private room — no test centre visit needed
Have your phone ready as the required second camera
Keep your original passport on hand for the ID check
Results land in 48 hours (12 with the paid fast-track option)

How DET Is Scored

Score Bands (10–160)

145–160
Expert

Superior English proficiency for any academic or professional setting

130–140
Very Good

Strong communication skills suitable for demanding programs

115–125
Good

Effective in most academic situations with occasional limitations

100–110
Fair

Adequate for academic settings with some support

90–95
Limited

Basic communication ability, may struggle in complex situations

Below 90
Needs Improvement

Requires significant improvement for academic use

How Is the Overall Score Calculated?DET scores range from 10–160 in 5-point increments, using adaptive technology with AI plus human review. Subscores are reported separately for Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production.
Score Validity: 2 years from test date

Minimum DET Score by Country

United States flag United States 105–130
Canada flag Canada 110–125
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom 100–120
Australia flag Australia 100–115
Europe flag Europe 95–120
New Zealand flag New Zealand 100–115
Exact requirements vary by university and course. Always verify with your target institution.

Retakes

There's no mandatory waiting period between attempts, though most students retake after a focused prep gap of 1–2 weeks. Universities generally consider your best submitted score, not an average.

How Sukhada's DET Coaching Works

20+ Hours of Coaching
15+ Live Sessions
3+ Mock Tests
2 Weeks Program Duration
Certified, exam-trained mentors
Adaptive mock test bank
Doubts cleared within 24 hours
Score-focused weekly check-ins

What You Get

Access recorded sessions covering all DET question types anytime, anywhere
Learn from trainers familiar with DET scoring patterns and adaptive-task strategies
Practice speaking with webcam recording to simulate real test conditions
Small batch sizes for individual attention and feedback
Curated practice material designed to mirror the real DET interface and adaptive difficulty
Complete guidance on equipment checks, room setup, and avoiding score invalidation

Preparation Timeline

Recommended: 8–10 weeks before your target test date

1
Week 1–2

Assessment & Basics

Take a diagnostic test, understand the format, identify weak areas

2
Week 3–4

Core Skills Building

Focus on Listening & Reading techniques, vocabulary building

3
Week 5–6

Writing & Speaking

Practise essay structure, speaking fluency, time management

4
Week 7–8

Mock Tests & Review

Full-length practice tests, analyse mistakes, final polishing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Looking away from the screen
Keep your eyes on the screen throughout — looking away can trigger a review flag
Background noise
Test from a completely quiet, private room with no interruptions
Using headphones, or routing audio through your phone
Test audio plays through your computer's own speakers only
Someone else entering the room
Make sure you'll be alone for the full session
Reading questions aloud
Read silently — speaking while reading can affect your integrity check
Poor lighting or camera angle
Keep your face clearly visible with good lighting throughout

Preparation Tips

Take at least 3 full-length mock tests under timed conditions
Practise speaking out loud daily, even for five minutes
Review sample question types for each module beforehand
Test your equipment the day before, not minutes before

Registering for DET

1
Create a Duolingo English Test Account

Sign up with your email and a valid government ID matching the name on your applications.

2
Pick a Test Slot

DET has no fixed test dates — choose any time that works, day or night.

3
Pay the Test Fee

Complete payment online; Sukhada students get a bundled counselling + mock-test package.

4
Run the System Check

Verify your camera, microphone and internet speed a few minutes before starting.

5
Take the Test

Complete the full adaptive test in one uninterrupted sitting, roughly an hour long.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Fees in India

TypeFee
Standard Test~₹4,500 – ₹5,000
Score Reports to UniversitiesUnlimited, FREE
RetakeSame as test fee — no partial-retake option
Fees are subject to change. Always verify on the official Duolingo English Test website before registering.
Upcoming Batches
Schedule under planning Talk to a counsellor for the next batch
Talk to a Coach

Free 15-minute strategy call — get a personalised prep timeline and fee plan.

Helpful Links
Why Prep With Sukhada
Certified, exam-trained mentors Adaptive mock test bank Doubts cleared within 24 hours Score-focused weekly check-ins
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • Intakesfall(August)
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12
  • Cost of Livingmoderate
  • Work While Study12hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish
Explore UNITED STATES Guide

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition 20,000 – 65,000 avg
Acceptance 4%
Placement Ratio 100%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • Intakesfall)june)
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study Work24
  • Cost of LivingNo data available
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish
Explore UNITED KINGDOM Guide

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £36,100 avg
Acceptance 11%
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall(Augst),Spring (January),Summer (May)
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12
  • Cost of LivingModerate
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish
Explore UNITED STATES Guide

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#3
Annual Tuition 20,000 – 65,000 avg
Acceptance 4%
Placement Ratio 100%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesSeptember-January-May
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study Work24
  • Cost of LivingNo data available
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish
Explore UNITED KINGDOM Guide

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition £26,940 avg
Acceptance 18%
Placement Ratio 91%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #2
Employer Reputation
100/100 #4
Faculty / Student
100/100 #9
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #98
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #132
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #80
Intl. Student Diversity
98.7/100 #67
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #1
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #3
Sustainability
77.9/100 #198
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall(Augst),Spring (January),Summer (May)
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12
  • Cost of LivingModerate
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish
Explore UNITED STATES Guide

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition $59,076 avg
Acceptance 3%
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
Germany flag Germany Berlin
  • IntakesWinter (October)-Summer (April)
  • Visa Success92
  • Post-Study Work18
  • Cost of LivingNo data available
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageGerman
Explore GERMANY Guide

Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics

Berlin, Germany Est. 1964
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition No data available
Acceptance 5%
Placement Ratio 95%
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
4.9/5★★★★★
5,000+Students
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-1679
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

ch All Levels
Country Scholarship · All LevelsNot specified All LevelsNot specifiedIBA Confucius Institute ScholarshipsIBA Confucius InstituteChinaView DetailsApply Now
All Levels Contact counsellor for deadline
Apply Now
ge All Levels
Country Scholarship · Bachelor'sEUR Γé¼10,000 per academic year Bachelor'sEUR Γé¼10,000 per academic yearTalent ScholarshipConstructor UniversityGermanyFeb 1, 2026View DetailsApply Now
Bachelor's Contact counsellor for deadline
Apply Now
uk All Levels
Country Scholarship · Bachelor'sGBP Up to ┬ú15,000 - ┬ú30,000 (┬ú5,000 or ┬ú10,000 per year) Bachelor'sGBP Up to ┬ú15,000 - ┬ú30,000 (┬ú5,000 or ┬ú10,000 per year)Inspiring Excellence Undergraduate ScholarshipDurham UniversityUnited KingdomJan 30, 2026View DetailsApply Now
Bachelor's Contact counsellor for deadline
Apply Now
it All Levels
Country Scholarship · Bachelor'sEUR 25% of total tuition fee Bachelor'sEUR 25% of total tuition feeScholarships | Bachelor of Arts Scholarship CompetitionDomus AcademyItalyJan 16, 2026View DetailsApply Now
Bachelor's Contact counsellor for deadline
Apply Now
Worth A Read

From the Sukhada Blog

View All
Course Guide

AI & Machine Learning Programs Abroad — 2026 Guide

A breakdown of the strongest AI/ML Master's programs abroad and what admissions committees are actually looking for this cycle.

Scholarships

Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad

The merit and need-based awards our counsellors recommend most often, and how to build a strong application for each.

About Sukhada

Meet Sukhada: Your Study Abroad Guide

Why we built Sukhada around mentors instead of sales targets — and what that means for the advice you actually get.

Enquire Now

Fill in your details to enquire about University

Book a Free Consultation

Choose a service, pick your date and time, and share your details — our team will confirm your slot shortly.