Duolingo English Test Score Guide: University Requirements 2026

DET Score Scale Explained

The Duolingo English Test scores range from 10 to 160. The test also provides four subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. These subscores give universities a more detailed picture of your English abilities.

DET Score	CEFR Level	Approx. IELTS Equivalent	Proficiency
145–160	C2	8.5–9.0	Mastery
125–140	C1	7.5–8.0	Advanced
110–120	B2+	6.5–7.0	Upper Intermediate
95–105	B2	6.0–6.5	Intermediate+
75–90	B1	5.0–5.5	Intermediate

DET Score Requirements: Top US Universities (2026)

University	Min. DET Score	Program Level
MIT	125	Graduate
Columbia University	120	Graduate
New York University (NYU)	120	Graduate
University of California, Berkeley	120	Graduate
UCLA	120	Graduate
University of Michigan	115	Graduate
University of Texas at Austin	115	Graduate
Purdue University	115	Graduate
Arizona State University	105	Undergrad & Graduate
Northeastern University	110	Graduate
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	115	Graduate
Penn State University	110	Graduate

DET Score Requirements: Canada & Australia (2026)

University	Country	Min. DET Score
University of Toronto	Canada	120
University of British Columbia	Canada	120
McGill University	Canada	120
University of Melbourne	Australia	115
University of Sydney	Australia	115
Australian National University	Australia	120

How to Prepare for the DET: 2-Week Intensive Plan

The DET is unique — its adaptive format and varied question types require targeted practice. Here's a 2-week plan to get from baseline to target score:

Days 1–3: Understand the Format

• Take the official DET practice test on duolingo.com/english-test
• Understand all question types: Read and Complete, Listen and Type, Read Aloud, Write About the Photo, Speak About the Photo, Read and Select, Listen and Select, Write in English, Speak in English
• Identify your 2 weakest question types and focus on them first

Days 4–7: Build Core Skills

• Reading/Vocabulary: DET tests a wide vocabulary range. Read BBC, Guardian, and academic articles daily to build exposure
• Listening: Practice with diverse English accents (American, British, Australian, Indian-international)
• Speaking: Record yourself for Speak About the Photo and Speak in English tasks — aim for fluency over perfection
• Writing: Practice Write About the Photo (3–5 sentences describing an image) and the longer written responses

Days 8–14: Mock Tests and Refinement

• Take 2–3 full practice tests under timed conditions
• Focus on the Read Aloud section — clear pronunciation and natural pacing matter more than accent
• For Speak in English: practice organizing thoughts in 20 seconds, then speaking for 60–90 seconds coherently
• Review any consistent mistake patterns and target them specifically

DET vs IELTS: Should You Take Both?

For students applying to US universities, DET alone is often sufficient. The $65 cost and 48-hour results make it the perfect "quick qualification" test. However, consider taking IELTS or LanguageCert additionally if:

• Any of your target schools don't accept DET (check carefully)
• You're also applying to UK universities
• You're applying to Canada where IELTS is far more dominant
• You want a UK student visa (which requires UKVI-approved tests, not DET)

Tips Specific to Indian Test-Takers

Indian students often score well on the literacy and comprehension subscores but face challenges with the conversational and production subscores. Here's what to focus on:

• Reduce Indian accent-related clarity issues: Practice speaking at a measured pace — the AI evaluates clarity, not accent
• Avoid translating from Hindi/regional languages: Think in English for the speaking tasks
• Photo description tasks: Practice describing images systematically — who/what is in the foreground, background, and what's happening
• Write in English task: Aim for 3–4 paragraphs with clear topic sentences and supporting evidence