We recently read this in our learner community: “I can take the DET test for free!”
This statement has sparked a debate among our learners: Is the Duolingo English Test (DET) free?
If yes, why do some have to pay for it?
This is a huge misunderstanding that LUME will clear up today. Keep reading to see the answer!
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The certified test is paid, but there are five distinct routes to paying less or nothing at all — and they have different eligibility rules. One of them is often misunderstood.
| Route | How free is it | Who qualifies and how to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Practice test | Completely free, unlimited attempts | Anyone with an account. Duolingo says you can take it as many times as you like at no cost. It runs about 45 minutes, contains the same question types as the certified test, and ends with an estimated score range. |
| Access Program fee waiver | The full test, free — a waiver, not a discount | Applications come from institutions, not students: teachers, counsellors, advisors, non-profits, agencies and universities. Apply through the Duolingo English Test Access Program page. A teacher acting as a college counsellor can email Duolingo directly from a professional address. |
| Institutional coupon code | Part or all of the fee | Your institution issues the code. Click Apply Coupon before entering payment details. Valid for 21 days and cannot be extended. |
| Partner network voucher | Paid by the agency | Agencies in Duolingo’s Global Partner Network buy vouchers in bulk and assign them to their students. |
| Counsellor invite | Not free at all | Duolingo is explicit: a counsellor invite does not provide a discount on the test cost. It only shares your result with your counsellor automatically. |
| 117,000+ | fee waivers issued since 2018, worth around 8 million US dollars |
| 25,563 | waivers issued in 2024 alone |
| 1,800+ | partner institutions |
| 214 | countries and territories reached |
| How many tests you can buy | Three in any 30-day period |
| Attempts per purchase | Three — and starting the test counts as an attempt, even if you do not submit it |
| Time limit to use it | 21 days from purchase |
| Taking another test | You must wait for your result before starting a new one |
| Sending your scores | Free — there is no cost. Up to 40 institutions can be selected initially; more can be added through support. |
| Results | Within two days as standard, or within 12 hours with Faster Results |
| Score validity | Two years |
| Refunds | Not available if you break any test policy or requirement. Two-test bundles are non-refundable. Report a problem within 24 hours. |
| Where it is unavailable | Iran, and for users with Iranian IDs |
No, the Duolingo English Test (DET) is not free.
However, you can get a fee waiver code and take the test for free.
Duolingo doesn’t directly give test-takers fee waivers, but some universities offer this code.
So, it’s best to check on the official website of your desired college/university for fee waiver codes.
Or, you can Google for universities that provide a waiver request form, like the University of Boston.
The university might need a few weeks to review and process the request.
Therefore, remember to send the request email soon before the test date.
In some cases, you can retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) without paying any fee.
For example, if there is a technical glitch during the test, Duolingo will give you a free retake.
Also, you can take free mock tests on websites like LUME.
However, this is just for practice, and the result won’t be certified.
There are two packages of the Duolingo English Test (DET).
If you take only one test, the fee is $70.
But if you get a two-test combo, you only have to pay $118, equaling $59 for each.
For those who want a faster result, you need to pay an extra $39 to receive the test score within 12 hours.
No matter where you sit for the exam, the cost remains unchanged.
The pricing of the Duolingo English Test (DET) is much lower than that of other English examinations.
For example, TOEFL costs between $200 and $250, while IELTS charges $280 – $340 for each test.
The price of these tests varies depending on your location.
If $70 is a burden for you, consider getting the two-test bundle.
This combo only costs $118, which is $22 cheaper than two separate tests.
However, we only recommend this package if:
Suppose you’re confident about your English proficiency and believe you can achieve the desired result on the first go.
Then, only buy one test to save money.
Taking the Duolingo English Test (DET) again and again is the last thing you want.
You’re just throwing money out the window without receiving the target score.
To avoid this, we recommend practicing with mock tests to get used to the question types and time pressure.
Some websites like LUME offer realistic mock tests with an AI-scoring system to practice for free.
This award-winning platform also provides a comprehensive guide, templates, vocabulary lists, and instant feedback to support learners.
By practicing frequently, you can get the desired score without retaking the test many times.
Is the Duolingo English Test (DET) free?
No, you have to pay at least $70 for each test.
If you’re lucky, you can get fee waivers to take the test for free.
But this doesn’t apply to all colleges, so the best way is to practice frequently on platforms like LUME.
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Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test (DET) And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
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