5 Myths I Believed About the DET — Until I Experienced It Myself
By Lance – DET Study
When I first heard about the Duolingo English Test (DET), I’ll admit I was skeptical. Could an at-home test really measure something as important as academic English? Was it secure enough? Would universities actually trust it?
Over time, and through direct experience working with students preparing for the DET, my perspective changed completely. In fact, I’ve gone from doubter to advocate. But to get there, I had to work through a few common myths—myths that I used to believe myself.
Here’s my story.
Myth 1: “It’s just part of the Duolingo app”
Like many, I thought the DET was just an extension of Duolingo’s famous language-learning app. I pictured the same quirky sentences and colorful screens.
But once I saw the actual test, I realized it’s completely separate. It’s not a game—it’s a serious academic exam designed for admissions. You can only take it on a computer, not a phone, and the tasks reflect real academic language use. That discovery was my first clue that the DET was something different.
Myth 2: “It looks too easy”
The first time I glanced at some DET practice items, I thought, “This can’t be enough to measure a future college student’s English.”
But then I learned about computer-adaptive testing. The exam adjusts in real time—harder if you’re doing well, easier if you’re struggling. Suddenly it made sense: each student gets the right level of challenge. And when I compared outcomes, I saw that students admitted with DET scores performed just as well as those admitted with TOEFL or IELTS. That myth was gone for me.
Lance Graney
Myth 3: “At-home tests can’t be secure”
Security was my biggest concern. If students could take the test anywhere, how could universities trust the scores?
Over time, I learned about the DET’s multi-layered security system:
- A locked-down desktop app
- Remote proctors watching test sessions
- AI monitoring suspicious behavior
- Non-certification of results when rules are broken
I’ve even seen students denied certified scores because of violations—proof that the system works. That convinced me the DET takes security as seriously as any traditional exam.
Myth 4: “It doesn’t measure academic English”
As a former ESL teacher, I used to believe a valid academic test had to include long essays or recorded lectures. But then I looked closer at the DET tasks.
They measure speaking, listening, reading, and writing in authentic contexts:
- Typing short responses quickly
- Explaining ideas in spoken English
- Interpreting connected text and audio
On top of that, universities receive writing and speaking samples for every student. In fact, some graduate schools prefer these to traditional essays because they show real communication ability. That made me rethink what “academic English” really means.
Myth 5: “Schools won’t keep using it”
At first, I assumed universities only accepted the DET because of the pandemic. Surely they’d drop it once test centers reopened.
But the opposite has happened. The DET has been around since 2016, and today it’s accepted by over 5,000 universities worldwide. Far from being a temporary solution, it’s become part of the future of admissions.
🌟 My Final Takeaway
Looking back, I realize I went through the same journey as many others: doubt, questions, then understanding. Today, I trust the DET as a valid, secure, and academic exam. More importantly, I’ve seen how it opens doors for students who might not otherwise have the chance to prove their English ability.
That’s why I created DET Study—to help students prepare effectively, avoid repeat test attempts, and walk into their exam with confidence. If you’re aiming for your dream score, know this: the DET is real, it’s trusted, and with the right preparation, it can take you exactly where you want to go.