Duolingo English Test: 2026 Acceptance List & Complete Guide

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has rapidly grown from a COVID-era alternative to a mainstream English proficiency test accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide.

What is the Duolingo English Test?

The DET is an online English proficiency test that you can take from home. Key features:

Duration: ~1 hour

Cost: $59 (significantly cheaper than IELTS/TOEFL)

Results: Within 48 hours

Format: Computer-adaptive, AI-proctored

Score Range: 10-160

Universities Accepting DET in 2026

Top US Universities Accepting DET:

Yale University (minimum 120)

Columbia University (minimum 120)

Duke University (minimum 120)

MIT (minimum 120)

Northwestern University

NYU (minimum 115)

UCLA (minimum 115)

USC (minimum 115)

Boston University (minimum 120)

Northeastern University (minimum 115)

Ivy League Status:

✅ Yale - Accepts

✅ Columbia - Accepts

✅ Dartmouth - Accepts

✅ Cornell - Accepts

❌ Harvard - Does NOT accept

❌ Princeton - Does NOT accept

❌ Penn - Does NOT accept (as of 2024)

❌ Brown - Does NOT accept

UK Universities:

University College London (UCL) - Accepts (120+)

King's College London - Accepts

University of Edinburgh - Accepts

University of Glasgow - Accepts

Queen Mary University - Accepts

Australian Universities:

Limited acceptance; IELTS/PTE preferred

Some pathway programs accept DET

Canadian Universities:

University of Toronto - Accepts (120+)

UBC - Accepts (125+)

McGill - Does NOT accept

University of Alberta - Accepts

Score Requirements by Type

University TypeTypical DET Minimum Top 20 US120-130 Top 50 US110-120 Top 100 US100-115 UK Russell Group115-125 Canadian Top Schools115-125

DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL Comparison

AspectDETIELTSTOEFL Cost$59$250+$200+ Duration1 hour2.75 hours2 hours Results48 hours3-5 days4-8 days FormatOnline onlyIn-person/OnlineIn-person/Online Score SendsUnlimited free$20+ each$20 each

Score Conversion (Approximate)

DETIELTSTOEFL iBT 1608.5-9.0118-120 1458.0110-114 1307.5102-109 1207.095-101 1106.579-93 1006.060-78

Test Format

The DET includes:

Graded Sections:

1. Read and Complete - Fill in blanks

2. Read and Select - Identify real English words

3. Listen and Type - Transcribe audio

4. Read Aloud - Read passages

5. Write About the Photo - Describe images

6. Speak About the Photo - Oral descriptions

7. Read, Then Write - Essay responses

8. Read, Then Speak - Oral responses

Ungraded Video Interview:

2 speaking prompts

1 writing prompt

Sent to universities (not scored)

Preparation Tips

1. Take Practice Tests

Free official practice at englishtest.duolingo.com

Familiarize yourself with question types

2. Focus on Weak Areas

DET tests all four skills

Identify and improve weaknesses

3. Practice Typing

Many questions require typing

Speed and accuracy matter

4. Prepare Your Space

Quiet room, good internet

Working camera and microphone

Proper lighting

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

Very affordable ($59)

Take from home anytime

Fast results (48 hours)

Unlimited free score sends

Growing acceptance

❌ Cons:

Not accepted everywhere

Some employers don't recognize it

Limited for UK/Australia immigration

Younger test (less established)

Bottom Line

The Duolingo English Test is an excellent option if:

Your target schools accept it

You want to save money

You prefer testing at home

You need quick results

Always verify acceptance with your specific program before choosing DET over IELTS or TOEFL.

Pro Tip: Apply to a mix of schools—some accepting DET and some requiring IELTS/TOEFL—to maximize your options.