What Is the Duolingo English Test (DET)? A Guide for Korean Students
If you're a Korean student preparing to study in the U.S., you've probably heard of TOEFL or IELTS. But there's a faster, more affordable option that more and more students are choosing: the Duolingo English Test (DET).
This modern, convenient test is accepted by thousands of U.S. universities — including every partner school in the Korean-American Education Center program.
Let’s break down what DET is, how it compares to other tests, and how you can prepare for it in Gangnam and online.
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💡 What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an English proficiency exam that you take completely online — anytime, anywhere. It tests four key skills:
- ✅ Reading
- ✅ Listening
- ✅ Speaking
- ✅ Writing
Instead of going to a test center, you take the exam on your computer at home. The whole test takes less than 1 hour, and you get your results in 2 days or less.
📊 DET vs. TOEFL vs. IELTS
| Feature | DET | TOEFL | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Location | Online (home) | Test center (in person) | Test center (in person) |
| Duration | ~1 hour | ~3 hours | ~2 hours 45 minutes |
| Cost | ~$59 USD | ~$200 USD | ~$250 USD |
| Results Time | 2 days | 5–10 days | 5–7 days |
| Speaking Section | AI + video-based | In-person or AI | In-person (interview) |
| Accepted By | 4,000+ universities | 11,000+ universities | 11,000+ universities |
🎓 Why DET Is a Smart Choice for Korean Students
More and more Korean students are choosing DET for good reasons:
- 🏠 You don’t need to go to a test center — take it from home
- 💸 It’s cheaper than other English tests
- ⏱ It’s faster — you’ll get results in 48 hours
- 🎯 It tests your real communication skills, not memorized grammar
- 🏫 All U.S. partner universities in the Korean-American Education Center program accept it
🏫 Which Schools Accept DET?
All schools in the Korean-American Education Center program accept DET, including:
- Western Michigan University
- University of Toledo
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Truman State University
These schools allow you to apply quickly with DET results and often don’t require TOEFL or IELTS at all.
DET is also accepted at over 4,000 universities worldwide, including Ivy League and top-ranked U.S. schools.
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🧠 How to Prepare for the DET — in Gangnam or Online
At the Korean-American Education Center, you can prepare for the Duolingo English Test through:
- 👩🏫 A dedicated DET classroom in Gangnam
- 📚 Weekly strategy lessons with a skilled instructor
- ✍️ Practice tests with detailed feedback
- 🎯 Score improvement tips for each skill area
- 💬 Speaking and writing practice with sample prompts
This is ideal for students who want structure and expert guidance to reach their target score.
🎯 Start Preparing for the DET in Gangnam
🚀 Looking for Extra DET Help?
We recommend visiting DET Study for extra support — a resource made just for students like you:
- Free templates and writing guides
- Sample speaking answers
- Practice tests with score feedback
- Tips for improving your literacy, production, and conversation scores
Whether you need a last-minute boost or want to build your skills from the ground up, DET Study has the tools you need.
