Duolingo versus IELTS
| Duolingo English Test | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | At home, online | At a test centre |
| Length | About 1 hour | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Cost | Roughly a third of IELTS | Higher |
| Results | Usually within 2 days | 3–13 days |
| Score | 10–160 | 0–9 bands |
| European acceptance | Uneven | Near-universal |
Approximate score equivalence
| DET | Approximate IELTS |
|---|---|
| 95–100 | 6.5 |
| 110–115 | 7.0 |
| 120–125 | 7.5 |
| 130+ | 8.0+ |
⚠️ This is indicative, not a contract. Universities publish their own minimum DET score ("minimum DET 110") and that published figure is what applies, not a conversion.
When taking it makes sense
✅ A good fit when the programmes on your list name DET as accepted, time is short, budget is tight, or you want a backup score.
❌ A poor fit when you are targeting the Nordics or competitive programmes, applying for scholarships (many specify IELTS or TOEFL), or you are not yet sure where you will apply — in which case IELTS is safer because it works everywhere.
Check in two places — this is the main point
The biggest DET mistake is deciding on the university's rules alone.
- 1The university — does the programme's admission requirements page name DET, and what is the minimum score?
- 2Immigration — does that country accept DET as language evidence for the residence permit or visa?
Applicants routinely skip the second check, get admitted, and then stall at the visa stage with no time left to sit IELTS.
Practicalities of the test
DET is strictly proctored — you need a computer, webcam and microphone, and:
- You must be alone in the room; anyone entering voids the test
- Looking away from the screen triggers warnings
- No paper, pens, phones or headphones
- A stable internet connection is essential — worth planning around given power and connectivity variability in Bangladesh
Breaking the rules voids the result with no refund, so read the rules fully before starting.
The safest strategy
What works best in practice: list your five to eight target programmes, write down each one's language requirement in one place, and then decide. If every one accepts DET, take DET and save the time and money. If even one requires IELTS, take IELTS — because IELTS is accepted everywhere and DET is not.
There is no need to take both.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted in Europe?+
Unevenly. It is widespread in Ireland and the UK and present at many German, Dutch and Nordic institutions, but absent from many European programmes. Check whether the programme's admission requirements page names DET specifically.
If the university accepts DET, will the visa authority?+
Not necessarily, and this is the main trap. Immigration language requirements can differ. Check both the admissions office and the country's immigration page, because discovering the gap after admission leaves no time to sit another test.
What DET score do I need?+
Universities publish their own minimum (for example 'minimum DET 110'). As an indication DET 95–100 is around IELTS 6.5 and 110–115 around 7.0, but the university's published figure is what applies.
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