The Beginner’s Guide to the Duolingo English Test (DET)

If you’re just beginning your Duolingo English Test journey and feeling unsure about where to start, you’re in the right place. Many learners worry about rules, scoring, setup, and whether their test will be certified—and this guide is here to take that stress away. 😊

In this simple, beginner-friendly overview, you’ll learn:

• What the DET is and how it’s different from traditional tests
• What you need on test day (ID, devices, rules)
• How the 10–160 scoring system works
• Where your DET score is accepted worldwide 🌍
• How proctoring and test security actually work
• The most common reasons tests get invalidated—and how to avoid them
• The top readiness tools + how DET Study helps you prepare faster 🚀

By the end, you’ll feel calm, confident, and ready to begin your DET journey the smart way.

1. What is the Duolingo English Test?

Before we talk about the DET, it helps to remember what most traditional English tests look like.

With many paper-based or test-center exams, you usually have to:

• Book a fixed test date — often weeks (or months) in advance 🗓️
• Travel to a test center — sometimes in another city
• Take a very long exam — 3–4 hours of reading, listening, speaking, and writing
• Wait for results — often 7–14 days ⏳

On top of this, some tests include face-to-face interviews with an examiner, which many test takers find stressful—especially if they’re nervous speaking to a complete stranger in English.

By the time you finish:

• You’re tired 😮‍💨
• You’re not sure if the score really reflects your true level
• You still have to wait to know whether you passed your target score

The Duolingo English Test was designed to fix many of these problems.

2. Why so many students choose the DET instead 💚

The DET is a modern, online English proficiency test you can take from home. Instead of fixed dates and test centers, it gives you:

✅ Control over when you test

• You can take the test at a time when you feel ready—
  after a good night’s sleep, after finishing a study plan, or when your energy is high.
• No need to fit into a limited schedule or wait for a seat to open.

✅ Control over where you test

• No test centers. No long commutes. No hotel bookings.
• You can test from any quiet, private room that meets the rules.
• This reduces both stress and expense (no travel, no extra costs).

✅ A faster, more efficient experience ⚡

• The full test takes about 60 minutes.
• Official results arrive in 48 hours.
• You can then send your scores to universities instantly online.

💡 Bonus with DET Study:
If you use a DET Study coupon, you can save 10% on your DET and access our platform for 60 days, giving you structured practice while you wait for (and prepare for) your test.

Compared to other exams that can cost almost three times as much and take much longer, the DET is:

• More affordable
• More flexible
• Much more convenient

3. How computer-adaptive testing works (and why the test “feels” easy) 🤖

The DET uses something called computer-adaptive testing.

Here’s what that means in simple terms:

• If you answer a question correctly, the next one becomes a bit harder.
• If you answer a question incorrectly, the next one becomes a bit easier.

The test is constantly adjusting to your level. This allows the AI engine to:

• Find your true proficiency quickly
• Avoid wasting your time on questions that are way too easy or way too difficult

That’s why many students say:

“The test felt easier than I expected!”

It’s not that the test itself is easy—it’s that:

• You see more questions exactly around your level
• Advanced students don’t waste time on basic questions
• Lower-level students aren’t crushed with impossible ones

Behind the scenes, a huge item bank (question pool) and statistical models make sure:

• Every test is unique
• Two friends will not see the same set of questions
• Scores remain comparable, even if the questions are different

4. What you need to take the DET (requirements checklist) ✅

Before test day, make sure you have:

1. A valid, physical ID 🪪

• Accepted ID depends on your country (passport, driver’s license, or government ID).
• It must be valid and not expired.
• You must use the original physical ID — no scans, screenshots, PDFs, or photos.
• You’ll be asked to hold your ID up to the camera so it can be verified.

2. A quiet, private test space (for ~60 minutes) 🧘‍♂️

• No other people may be in the room
• No interruptions, no background conversations
• Ideally, a door you can close and a sign like “Do not disturb – test in progress”

3. A computer that meets the requirements 💻

• Desktop or laptop
• Windows or macOS
• Stable internet connection
• Functioning microphone and speakers/headphones

4. A smartphone with a camera 📱

This serves as a secondary camera during the exam.
Its job is to:

• Show the test environment from another angle
• Give proctors additional observational data
• Help verify that you are following the rules

If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry—later in this guide we’ll talk about setup tutorials and readiness resources that walk you through everything step-by-step.

Using Your Smartphone as a Second Camera for the Duolingo English Test

5. What happens on test day: the DET experience 🧪

When it’s time to test, you’ll:

1. Launch the DET app on your computer
2. Go through a setup phase (~5–7 minutes):
   • ID verification
   • Short video explaining test rules
   • Setting up your secondary camera (your smartphone)

👉 Important:
Do not read the test rules for the first time during setup.
You should already know them in advance so nothing surprises you.

After setup, you start the main test, which:

• Lasts about 60 minutes (depending on how you use the time for each task)
• Has no separate sections like “Reading section” or “Writing section”
• Instead, mixes skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) throughout a single continuous experience

6. Question types + speaking & writing samples 🎙️✍️

The DET includes around 14 different question types, covering:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

At the end of the test, you’ll see two special tasks:

• A Writing Sample – a short written response
• A Speaking Sample – a 1–3 minute video response

These samples are sent directly to universities along with your score report.

Why does this matter?

• Admissions officers don’t just see a number – they see you
• They can watch you speak and read a short piece of your writing
• It reassures them the performance is truly yours
• It can help you stand out among applicants with similar scores

Think of it as a mini “introduction” to the admissions team, built into your test.

7. Understanding DET scores (10–160 scale) 📊

Your overall DET score is reported on a scale from 10 to 160 in 5-point increments.

On your score report, you’ll see:

• ✅ Overall score (10–160)
• ✅ Individual subscores for:
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
• ✅ Integrated subscores, which reflect real-world academic tasks:
  • Literacy = Reading + Writing
  • Comprehension = Reading + Listening
  • Conversation = Speaking + Listening
  • Production = Speaking + Writing

These details help universities understand how you use English, not just how you scored overall.

What score do I need? 🎯

Exact requirements vary by program, but some general guidelines:

• Many universities accept 95+ as a minimum for admission.
• For more competitive universities (Ivy League in the U.S., U15 in Canada, etc.), you’ll often see minimums around 120+.
• A 120–125 DET score is roughly comparable to:
  • About 92–93 TOEFL iBT, or
  • Around 6.5 on IELTS Academic

🔎 Check the exact DET requirement on your target program’s website.

Score validity and sending results 📬

• Scores are valid for 2 years.
• You can send your scores to unlimited institutions for free.
• You don’t need to choose universities before taking the test.
• You can:
  1. Take the test
  2. Get your score
  3. Log into your DET portal and send results whenever you’re ready

This flexibility is a big relief compared to tests where you must pick schools before you know your score.

Improve Your DET Score With Complex Sentences

8. Where is the DET accepted? 🌎

The list of institutions accepting the DET has grown extremely fast and continues to expand.

United States 🇺🇸

• Nearly universal acceptance for undergraduate admission
• DET is accepted by all of the top 25 most popular universities for international students (as ranked by Open Doors)
• Well-known names accepting DET include:
  • MIT
  • Stanford
  • Yale
  • University of Pennsylvania, and many more

For graduate programs:

• Over 70% of U.S. graduate programs accept the DET
• Examples include Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, and Purdue University.

Canada 🇨🇦

• Accepted by 100% of top colleges and all major undergraduate institutions
• Accepted across the U15 universities and most top-ranked programs
• Many graduate programs, including:
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Calgary
  • Simon Fraser University
  • York University
  • Vancouver Island University

UK, Ireland, and Europe 🇬🇧🇮🇪🇪🇺

• Growing acceptance every year
• Examples of institutions/programs accepting DET:
  • Lady Margaret Hall (Oxford)
  • Imperial College London
  • London School of Economics
  • University of York
  • University College Dublin
  • Trinity College Dublin

The 2025 List of All Countries That Accept The DET

DET and visas 🛂

• USA: Student visas do not require a specific English test. As long as your university accepts the DET, you don’t need a separate test just for the visa.
• UK: Same logic. If your program accepts DET for admission, you typically don’t need another test just for the visa.
• Canada: With programs like SDS closed, if your Canadian institution accepts the DET, you can usually use your DET score for both admission and your study permit.

Always double-check visa requirements on official government and university pages, but in general:

If your program accepts the DET, you usually don’t need another test.

9. Test security and proctoring: human-in-the-loop AI 🛡️

Many students worry about one thing: “What if my DET test gets invalidated?” The truth is, the Duolingo English Test has a very advanced security system designed to protect both the integrity of the exam and honest test takers like you. Instead of relying only on technology, the DET uses human-in-the-loop AI — meaning AI helps identify unusual patterns, but real people always make the final decision.

During the 48 hours while you’re waiting for results, your entire test session is reviewed through three layers of human oversight. First, Tier 1 specialists verify your ID and look for behavioral signals that might indicate problems. Then Tier 2 reviewers — trained ESL experts — check your speaking and writing responses carefully. Finally, if anything looks unclear, a Tier 3 “special cases” team steps in to make the final call.

So if you’ve ever thought, “What if the AI makes a mistake?” — don’t worry.
The AI only raises flags; humans always decide whether your test is certified. This multi-tier system exists to protect your score, your effort, and the credibility of the entire exam. 🛡️

10. The most common broken rules (and how to avoid them) 🚫

Even honest test takers sometimes get their results invalidated—not because they cheated, but because they didn’t fully understand the rules.

Here are the biggest problem areas.

1️⃣ Looking away from the screen 👀

This is the #1 most common issue.

• If you look away from the screen too often or for too long, it can appear as if you’re reading notes, getting help, or checking another device.
• For many people, looking up or to the side is just a habit when they’re thinking—but proctors can’t see inside your mind, only your behavior.

Strategies:

• Practice answering questions while keeping your eyes on the screen.
• Put a sticky note or marker on the screen as a visual reminder.
• Use the practice test and other practice tools to train this habit before test day.

2️⃣ Having apps running in the background 🧩

Another frequent problem is having:

• Grammarly
• Messaging apps
• Screen recorders
• Or other software running in the background

What to do:

• Before the test, open your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).
• Quit all unnecessary programs.
• Make sure no tools that assist writing, translation, or messaging are active.

3️⃣ Other people entering the room 🚪

If someone walks into your test space or speaks to you during the test, it can cause serious security concerns.

Prevent this by:

• Putting a “Do Not Disturb – Test in Progress” sign on the door
• Choosing a time when your home is quiet (even very early morning can be a good option)
• Telling family/roommates in advance not to knock or enter during that hour

4️⃣ Memorized or plagiarized responses 📝

Because the DET is AI-scored, it can instantly recognize responses that match internet templates, copied essays, or recycled answers from prep material — and that’s an automatic no. But don’t worry: you can study useful phrases, learn how to organize your ideas, and prepare common topic themes. The key is that when test day comes, your answer must feel real — fully original, spontaneous, and written or spoken in your own words, directly responding to the question in front of you. This protects the integrity of the test and ensures your score truly reflects your ability. 💬✨

11. Using official readiness resources + DET Study 📚

If all of this feels like a lot, the good news is:
You don’t have to prepare alone.

Official DET Readiness Page

Start with the official Readiness page, where you’ll find:

• The official practice test
• The Test Taker Guide
• Setup tutorials and support resources

The practice test

• About 45 minutes (shorter than the real test)
• Shows all question types in the same format as the official exam
• Gives you an unofficial score estimate that is often within 5–10 points of your real score at that moment
• Can be taken on a phone or tablet, which is great for quick practice on the go 📱

The Test Taker Guide

This guide includes:

• Timing for each question type
• Example questions and strategies
• Helpful tips on how to manage your time and avoid common mistakes

Setup and support videos 🎥

There are also step-by-step videos that show you:

• How to set up your computer and secondary camera
• How to organize your test space
• What to expect during the test

How DET Study fits into your prep

Alongside the official resources, DET Study gives you:

Unlock your best DET score with 15,000+ practice questions, real model answers, and a fully structured system to improve your speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Whether you use our free tools or upgrade to VIP, you’ll get powerful features like AI-scored practice, detailed feedback, and targeted materials that strengthen your weakest areas fast. And when you use a DET Study coupon, you’ll save 10% on the official Duolingo English Test 💸 and enjoy 60 days of full access to our platform—giving you everything you need to boost your score before (or between) test attempts.

Your target score is absolutely possible. 🚀
And now, you know exactly how the test works—and how to get ready the smart way.