⚠️ Is the Duolingo English Test (DET) Free?
If you’re preparing for the Duolingo English Test (DET), you might not need to pay — but only if you know the rules and act fast.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- When you can retake the test for free
- When you’ll need to pay again
- How DET test credits work
- How DET compares to TOEFL and IELTS in terms of cost and flexibility
✅ Can You Retake the Duolingo English Test for Free?
Yes — but only in specific cases.
You may be eligible for a free retake if:
- A technical issue disrupted your test (e.g., system crash, internet outage).
- Your test was uncertified due to a minor rule violation, like looking away from the screen — and you still have remaining attempts on your test credit.
Even if you receive an email saying “your test could not be certified”, you may still be allowed to try again at no cost, depending on your situation.
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Fun Fact: If your test isn’t certified, you don’t lose your credit — you can still try again, up to 3 times!
❌ When You Can’t Retake the DET for Free
If any of these situations apply, you’ll need to purchase a new test:
- Your results were certified, even if you want to improve your score.
- You were flagged for a serious violation like cheating or using outside help.
- You had two rule violations on the same test credit.
- Your test is more than 2 years old.
- You’ve already used all 3 attempts tied to that credit.
- Your account was blocked, usually for major infractions (e.g., impersonation).
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Fun Fact: Duolingo allows only one appeal, and it must be submitted within 72 hours — no exceptions!
💡 What’s a Test Credit, Exactly?
When you purchase the DET, you get one test credit, which gives you up to three chances to complete the test and earn a certified result.
Here’s how it works:
- If your test is uncertified due to a minor issue, you can reuse the credit and try again.
- If your test is certified, the credit is considered used — even if your score is low.
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Fun Fact: Once you receive a certified result, even if it’s from your first attempt, your remaining test attempts disappear!
📊 DET vs. TOEFL & IELTS: What’s the Smarter Deal?
| Test | Price Range | Free Score Reports | Extra Report Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| DET | Varies by reseller | Unlimited | $0 |
| TOEFL | $150–$300 | First 4 | $20 per additional school |
| IELTS | $150–$325 | First 5 | $3.75+ per school / $19 mail |
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Fun Fact: DET is one of the only major English tests that lets you send your results to unlimited universities — for free.
✅ In Summary
- A free retake is possible, but only under the right conditions.
- If your test was certified, or you broke serious rules, you’ll need to purchase another test.
- Each test credit gives you up to three chances, but the moment you get certified, the credit is used.
- Compared to TOEFL and IELTS, DET is one of the fastest, most affordable, and most flexible options.
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Fun Fact: Most DET scores arrive within 48 hours, but many students receive them in under 24 hours.
