🌍 Free Tests, Real Impact: How the DET Expands Access and How You Can Save with DET Study

The Duolingo English Test (DET) was built on a mission: to make English proficiency testing more affordable and accessible. Traditional tests like TOEFL or IELTS often require expensive fees, travel to test centers, and weeks of waiting for results. The DET, in contrast, can be taken online, anywhere in the world, and delivers certified results in just two days.

But beyond affordability and convenience, Duolingo also developed the Access Program to ensure that students facing financial barriers aren’t left behind. Over the years, this program has grown into a global initiative that has already transformed the lives of thousands of students.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Access Program works, its global impact, and how you can also save money—and gain valuable preparation—through DET Study.

📊 The Numbers Behind the Access Program

The Access Program began in 2018 as a fee waiver project. Today, it has become a global support network serving students across continents. Here’s what the data shows:

• 🎓 117,000+ test fee waivers distributed since launch, valued at over $8 million USD.
• 📅 In 2024 alone, over 25,000 students received free tests.
• 💵 More than $100,000 in direct funding has been provided to educational nonprofits since 2021.
• 🌎 Test-takers from 214 countries and territories have benefited.
• 🏫 Over 1,800 partner institutions—including universities, schools, and NGOs—participate in distributing waivers.

These numbers illustrate more than just scale; they highlight how the DET is reshaping access to higher education on a global level.

🌐 Global Reach: Who Benefits?

The Access Program reaches students in some of the most challenging circumstances:

• Refugees who have been displaced from their home countries.
• Students in low-income regions where test centers don’t exist.
• Applicants who cannot afford the cost of a traditional English test.

By eliminating the financial barrier, the DET allows these students to submit complete applications and compete fairly for admission and scholarships.

A heat map from recent reports shows that the Access Program has touched students in over 200 nations, with the greatest concentrations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. For many of these students, the DET is not just a test—it’s their only pathway to international study.

🏛 Partnerships That Amplify Impact

The success of the Access Program depends on collaboration. Since its founding, DET has worked with more than 1,800 organizations to reach students directly.

One of the most important partnerships is with UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency). Together, they launched the DETxUNHCR University Access Scholars Program, which provides:

• 25 refugee students per year with free tests
• Bespoke counseling on university applications
• Financial aid guidance to secure scholarships and support

This program ensures that talented refugee students—who often face multiple systemic barriers—still have access to global education opportunities.

Why More Colleges Are Accepting the Duolingo English Test (And How to Get Ready with DET Study)

🔑 Accessibility Improvements

To better serve vulnerable populations, the DET has also adapted its systems:

• ✅ Acceptance of refugee ID documents for verification
• ✅ Enhanced remote proctoring systems to ensure fairness while reducing stress for students
• ✅ Continuous updates to security to protect the integrity of scores

These improvements demonstrate a commitment not just to reach more students, but to ensure every test taker has a secure, fair, and respectful testing experience.

🌟 Why Transparency Matters

The Access Program complements the DET’s Technical Manual and ongoing research publications, which openly share data about test performance and demographics. By providing these insights, Duolingo builds trust with:

• Students, who want to know their scores reflect real ability.
• Universities, who rely on valid and secure results for admissions.
• Nonprofits and partners, who can align DET access with their educational missions.

In an industry where transparency is rare, the DET stands out for making validity, fairness, and equity central to its mission.

💸 How You Can Save Money with DET Study

Even if you don’t qualify for the Access Program, there’s another way to reduce costs and prepare effectively. At DET Study, we help every student save money and maximize results:

• ✅ Save $7 instantly (that’s a 10% discount on your test fee).
• ✅ Get 60 days of full access to the DET Study platform with your purchase.
• ✅ Practice with AI-scored questions and sample exams that mirror the real DET.
• ✅ Access strategy guides that explain exactly how to approach every task type.
• ✅ Study in your own language with multi-language resources, making preparation easier.

This means you’re not only saving money on the official test but also avoiding costly retakes. By combining discounted registration with targeted preparation, you get the best of both worlds: affordability and readiness.

🚀 The Big Picture

The DET Access Program shows that language testing can be more than a financial hurdle—it can be a pathway to opportunity. With over 117,000 free waivers distributed and partnerships across the globe, the program is proof that access and equity can reshape international admissions.

At the same time, for students who don’t qualify for free tests, DET Study provides a way to save while also giving you the preparation you need to succeed on your first try.

Whether through global initiatives like the Access Program or practical tools like DET Study, the goal is the same: no student should miss out on higher education because of financial barriers.