Can You Retake The Duolingo English Test (DET) For Free?

“Unfortunately, your Duolingo English Test could not be certified for the following reason…”

This is the nightmare of all test-takers, and many of them wonder:

What should you do now? Can You retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) for free?

If you’re also in the same boat, don’t fret!

LUME is here to clear up this confusion and help you understand the Duolingo English Test (DET) rules more.

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 GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)

Key Takeaways

• You can retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) for free if there was a technical error during the test.
• A free retake is also acceptable when your result is not certified due to a minor rule violation.
• Test-takers are allowed to buy three test credits in a 30-day period.
• Each test credit gives candidates three attempts to take the test.

Can You Retake The Duolingo English Test (DET) For Free?

Yes, you can retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) for free in some cases.

But before diving into these cases, you must understand what test credits are.

Whenever you buy a Duolingo English Test (DET), you will receive one test credit.

Each credit is equivalent to three attempts to take the test, but there will be only one certified result.

When You Can Retake It For Free

There are two situations when you can retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) for free:

• A technical error happened during the test (the reason comes from Duolingo’s system).
• You get an uncertified result due to a minor rule violation. For example, if you look away from the screen briefly and the AI can’t detect you, a free retake is acceptable.

As explained above, each test credit gives candidates three chances.

So, if your result is uncertified in the first or second try, you still have 1-2 attempts left.

When You Can’t Retake It For Free

Besides, there are cases when Duolingo doesn’t give you a free retake:

• If your test result was certified, you have to buy a new credit to take the test again.
• The AI system detected a serious rule violation. 
• If Duolingo notices that you cheated or showed signs of violation during the test, it will invalidate your score. 

The only way to retake the test is to purchase a new one. 

If you believe there was a misunderstanding, send Duolingo an appeal within 72 hours.

• You broke a minor rule in two tests of the same credit. 

Even when you have one remaining try, you can’t take it.

• Your previous test score expired two years after the test date.
• You have tried three times, and the credit becomes invalid.
• You made a minor rule violation on the last attempt of a test credit. 

In this case, you have to make an appeal to Duolingo. Or,  you need to buy a new test.

• Your Duolingo English Test (DET) account was temporarily blocked. 

This results from severe rule violations, like having someone else take the test for you. 

If your account is blocked permanently, you can’t retake the test.

How Many Times Can You Retake The Duolingo English Test (DET)?

Duolingo doesn’t set a specific limit on how many times a candidate can take the test.

For each credit you buy, you have 3 times to take the exam.

It means you will have two retakes if the first try was not certified or there was a technical glitch.

After you finish each test, you have to wait for the result before retaking it.

The waiting time is usually within 48 hours.

But it only takes 12 hours if you register for faster results ($39 fee).

That said, it doesn’t mean you can save up as many tests as you like.

It’s because Duolingo only lets you buy three tests in a 30-day period.

LUME will explain this more in the next part!

How Many Times Can I Take The Duolingo English Test (DET) In A Month?

Each test-taker is allowed to purchase three tests in a month (30 days).

Don’t mistake that you can only take the test three times!

Three purchases are equivalent to three test credits.

Therefore, the maximum number of tests you can take in a month is nine times (retakes included).

Remember that once you pay for the test credit, you must sit for the exam within 21 days.

After this time, the credit will expire, and you have to purchase a new test.

Conclusion

Can you retake the Duolingo English Test (DET) for free?

Yes, but only in case of a technical error or a minor rule violation that leads to an uncertified result.

Other than that, you have to buy new tests.

Remember that you can only purchase three test credits in a month!

Related practice resources

• Duolingo English Test Vocabulary List: 500+ Essential Words and Scoring Secrets
• Duolingo English Test (DET) Writing Sample Questions and Examples
• The Ultimate Duolingo English Test Cheat Sheet : Tips, Templates and Test-Day Strategy

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 GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)