What is the Duolingo English Test?

It checks your English. Four ways.

• Reading: Do you actually understand the words, or just glance at them?

• Writing: Can you get your point across without sounding stiff?

• Listening: catch every detail, even when they speak fast?

• Speaking: say it out loud without tripping over yourself?

You finish. You wait. Usually 48 hours. That’s it. Quick. Simple. Works even if your application is last-minute. DET gets it done.

A quick summary of benefits:

Convenience: Total online and flexible scheduling

Speed: Results provided within 48 hours

Affordability: Examination fees are significantly less than traditional testing fees Global Acceptance: Recognized by 2,000+ U.S. schools; hundreds of additional institutions across the globe

 Official Duolingo English Test Website

Why are American colleges accepting the benefits of using Duolingo?

Many of the top American colleges and universities have recently adopted the use of an online English language proficiency test known as the Duolingo English Test (DET). The primary reason for adopting this test is because of its accessibility, quick results, and reliability.

Worldwide Accessibility: The DET allows students who live in remote areas to take this test without having to travel to an actual testing location.

Consistent & Directly Comparable: The adaptive nature of the test will provide a comparable score for all students on this assessment based upon their performance on the test, regardless of where they live or how they take the test.

Lower Cost & Affordability: Providing access to students from developing countries is crucial to improving the university's enrollment of students from these regions.

Rising Levels of Confidence: American universities have grown in their belief that the DET can provide validity and an indication of whether students who apply are able to complete their degree program.

Due to these reasons, more than 1,000 American universities are currently accepting the DET as one of the acceptable tests for demonstrating an applicant's English proficiency for admission in 2026.

The US is very intense; many of these schools require an above-average score on the DET test and have a high degree of academic prestige.

Getting into top U.S. universities? Yeah… It’s intense. Really intense. Many of these schools want scores above the usual average. They’ve got prestige. Big expectations. And honestly, they don’t play around.

Picture this: you’re scrolling through options late at night, wondering if your DET score is “good enough.” Then you hit the list of those big-name universities everyone keeps whispering about.

1.    Harvard University – Around 125 or higher. Tough, but not impossible.

2.    Yale University – Roughly 120+. They like strong numbers.

3.    MIT – Usually 120–135. Yeah, the range is kinda wide.

4.    Stanford University – About 120 or more. Depends on the vibe of the program.

5.    Columbia University – 120–135, shifting a bit by department.

6.    Cornell University – Around 120+. Pretty competitive.

changing by program.

A small tip just between us. These scores? They’re estimates. Helpful, yes, but not the final truth. Always check each university’s website. They update things. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes suddenly.

Other Highly Recognized & Private Universities Accepting DET

In addition to the Ivies, a large number of reputable private institutions also use DET for English assessment and typically have a lower minimum cutoff compared to the Ivies. These include:

• New York University: 120 min DET.

• Johns Hopkins University: Det accepted from 120.

• Boston University: Various programs will accept DET.

Many of these types of schools offer an array of academic programs, including arts and sciences, business, and engineering; therefore, they are often viewed as attractive choices by international students.

U.S. Public & State Universities Accepting DET

If budget or flexibility matters more, state and public universities can be excellent options. Many have lower DET score requirements.

Pro Tip: These universities can be more forgiving with scores but still provide quality education and broad course selections.

Typical DET Score Ranges & What They Mean - Outlook 2026

●     Understanding score ranges helps you target universities strategically.

●     Think of DET scores like levels. Not labels, just reality. A 105? That’s entry-level. Regional or state universities, community colleges, and less competitive programs—they’ll usually be fine with it. It gets your foot in the door, nothing more.

●     Move up to 105–115, and things open a bit. This range works for many undergrad programs and general graduate courses at public or mid-level private universities. Solid. Not flashy, but acceptable.

●     Hit 115–12,0, and you’re playing in tougher rooms. Highly competitive public universities, stronger private schools, and even some graduate programs at top institutions start paying attention here.

●     Cross 120 and above, that’s elite territory. Ivy League, special programs, research-heavy, and competitive graduate courses. Few get there. If you do, you’re not just eligible—you’re seriously considered. Still not a guarantee, but now you’re in the real game.

Pros & Considerations When Using Duolingo DET

Pros

●     This is why people switch. Convenience first. You take the test at home, in your room, no buses, no flights, no test-center nonsense. Just a laptop and decent internet.

●     Then speed. Fast, almost suspiciously fast. Results usually show up within 48 hours, sometimes sooner, which means your plans don’t sit frozen for months.

●     Money matters too. DET costs less than TOEFL or IELTS, no hidden travel expenses, no extra bookings. It’s simply cheaper. Period.

●     And acceptance? It’s not some obscure test anymore. Thousands of institutions across the world already recognize DET. Not perfect, maybe, but practical. And for most students, that’s exactly what they need.

 Considerations

●     Here’s where people slip up. Score requirements are not universal. They change by university, by program, sometimes even by department. One school wants 105, another quietly demands more. So you check. Always.

●     And don’t assume DET is a free pass. Some competitive courses still lean toward TOEFL or IELTS, or they’ll say DET is fine, but only if it’s 120 plus. That detail matters. Miss it, you’re out.

●     Also, a reality check, high DET alone won’t save you. Strong grades, a clear SOP, solid recommendations, all of that still counts. Ignore the,m and no score will rescue you.

●     Finally, policies change. Every year. What worked last intake might not work now. So cross-check. Again and again. It’s annoying, but it’s safer than being rejected for a stupid reason.

How To Plan Your DET Journey

Start with the schools. Not dreams, actual names. Write them down. Elite or Ivy-level at the top, then mid-tier, then state universities, and yes—even community colleges. Tiers matter. Pretending they don’t is how people mess this up.

Next step, do the boring but critical work. Check official requirements. Not blogs. Not WhatsApp forwards. The university website. Confirm they accept DET, and check the exact score needed for undergrad or graduate programs. Some want higher, some don’t care much. Miss this step, and everything else falls apart. Simple planning, but most people skip it.

First thing, know your number. No guessing. If you’re aiming for elite schools, think 120 plus, minimum. Below that? You’re just hoping. Mid-tier institutions often rank between 110 and 120. Regional ones, which range from 100 to 110, are more erratic. Simple math.

But don’t be naïve. Policies change. Some universities suddenly “prefer” TOEFL or IELTS again. So always keep a backup plan open. One test is never a strategy.

And here’s the part people ignore. DET alone won’t save you. Yes, a high score is helpful, but admissions consider other factors, including program fit, recommendation letters, SOPs, and grades. Miss there, and even a strong score won’t carry you. This is an application, not a lottery. Plan smart.

Real-Life Impact: Stories of Students Using DET

Take Priya from India. Smart. Ambitious. Big dreams. She wanted MIT, Stanford, the kind of names that don’t wait for anyone. But TOEFL fees were brutal, travel costs were worse, and test centers weren’t exactly next door. So she stayed home. Took the Duolingo English Test from her own town, no flights, no panic. I scored a good 130. A few weeks later, offers began flooding in from US colleges. Real ones.

Then there’s Ahmed from Egypt. Different goal, same problem. He was aiming for a state university in Arizona, needed to meet the language requirement, nothing fancy. He took DET, scored 105, and cleared the minimum. Done. No wasted money, no wasted time, still landed a respectable program.

Stories like these matter. They show what DET actually does: cuts barriers, opens doors, and makes access fairer. Not perfect, maybe. But effective. And for a lot of students, that’s more than enough.

Important Lessons for 2026 Candidates

• DET is quick, adaptable, and becoming more well-known.

• Consider your target colleges while calculating your score.

• DET serves both state and community institutions, as well as mid-tier private universities and elite research organizations.

• It's vital to practice speaking, writing, listening, and reading online.

• To increase your chances of acceptance, combine your DET results with an impressive academic record.