Duolingo English Test (DET) vs TOEFL: The Key Differences

Choosing an English proficiency test will open a gateway to your dream of studying abroad.

However, it can cause headaches as you don’t know which one to choose, especially between the Duolingo English Test (DET) and the TOEFL.

LUME Test will provide a detailed comparison of these two tests to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s follow along for more details!

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Key Takeaways 

• TOEFL is an older test that many universities widely accept all over the world. 
• Duolingo English Test (DET) is shorter and cheaper than the TOEFL.
• Their scoring system and sections/ question types are big differences. 
• Stay till the end to find out whether the Duolingo English Test (DET) is easier than the TOEFL.

Related:

• FREE Duolingo practice test with scores
• Duolingo English test preparation
• FAQs about the Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test (DET) vs TOEFL Comparison

General Differences

	Duolingo English Test (DET)	TOEFL
Acceptance	Though it’s a new exam, nearly 16.000 universities in the world recognize it.	Widely accepted in English-speaking countries, such as the US, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.
Time duration	Around 1 hour	2 – 3 hours
Price	$70 for 1 test and $118 for a package of 2 tests. It’s the same price everywhere.	Ranges from $150 to $300, depending on the country.
Time to get the result	Within 2 days. If you pay $40 for Fast Result service, you’ll even get it within 12 hours.	4 – 8 days
Convenience	More convenient since you can take DET online (stable internet and quiet environment are required).	Less convenient since you need to book test dates 2-3 months earlier to ensure availability. Plus, you need to go to a test center to proceed with the exam.

Differences In Format

Scoring System

Duolingo English Test (DET) consists of 19 question types (each may appear more than 1 time), contributing to your subscores and overall score. 

Unlike TOEFL or IELTS, the score is not divided into listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Instead of that, Duolingo English Test (DET) gives scores based on integrated skills.

You’ll get subscores according to 4 modules: Literacy, Comprehension, Production, and Conversation.

Your overall score is an average of each subscore. 

	Maximum score
Overall	160
Literacy (reading and writing ability)	160
Comprehension (reading and listening ability)	160
Conversation (listening and speaking ability)	160
Production (writing and speaking ability)	160

Meanwhile, the scoring system in TOEFL is quite straightforward. 

The exam consists of 4 sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), and the maximum score you’ll get for each section is 30.

Your overall score is the sum of all 4 skills, meaning the highest result you can have in TOEFL is 120. 

Listening Section

While trying to understand the structure of DET, it’s important to keep in mind the subscores and question types.

The (most obvious) question types assessing your listening are Listen and Type and Listen and Select. 

They will affect your Comprehension and Conversation subscores.

On the other hand, TOEFL listening includes 2 parts, 5 passages, and 28 questions.

The topics are usually about academic conversations or lectures, which last 3-5 minutes. 

The most interesting thing about the two tests is that note-taking skills are critical in TOEFL, while this skill is sometimes not allowed in Duolingo English Test (DET) listening.

It’s one of the reasons why the Duolingo English Test (DET) is much shorter. 

Reading Section

In Duolingo English Test (DET), you’ll need to use your reading skills in question types like Read and Select or Read and Complete.

The reading passages are usually short, and you can complete the tasks within the given time (3-5 minutes).

Meanwhile, the reading section in the TOEFL is considered the most challenging.

It contains 2 academic passages, each of about 700 words.

Candidates have 36 minutes to answer 10 questions about each passage.

Compared to Duolingo English Test (DET), the test requires more intensive reading and critical thinking skills.

At the same time, it means that candidates will have a less stressful time with Duolingo English Test (DET).

Writing Section

Your writing skills will be tested in Duolingo English Test (DET) question types such as Read, Then Write, or Write About the Photo.

There’s no academic writing in Duolingo English Test (DET).

You only need to write a writing sample of 50-200 words in 5 minutes.

In contrast, academic writing skills are required in the TOEFL. 

Candidates need to complete 2 essays: one integrated and one writing a response.

In the first essay, you need to listen and read, and then write a report of 250 words on the content.

Meanwhile, the second essay is an academic discussion where you need to write a response of 120 words.

Speaking Section

As mentioned above, Duolingo English Test (DET) is not separated into skill sections like TOEFL. 

So, your speaking skills will be related to the Conversation and Production modules.

Four question types have a direct relation to your speaking skill: Read Aloud, Speak about the Photo, Read, then Speak, and Listen, then Speak.

Again, there’s no academic speaking.

However, it’s also not easy to speak about an image for nearly 90 seconds.

Plus, when you share your results with the institution, your speaking sample will be sent to them as well.

On the other hand, you need to pass 4 speaking questions in the TOEFL.

In particular, there’s one asking for your opinion and 3 integrated questions based on non-academic or academic spoken and written information.

The time to complete this section is around 4 minutes, including preparation time.

So, in short, is the Duolingo English Test (DET) easier than the TOEFL? 

Though TOEFL uses more academic and high-level words, it does not mean everybody can pass the Duolingo English Test (DET) more easily.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Duolingo English Test (DET) is an adaptive test, meaning its difficulty level changes depending on your performance.

For example, if you answer previous questions well, the next one will be more difficult. 

If you can’t provide the correct answer, you will be given a less complicated question. 

Which One Should You Choose? 

TOEFL is older, and many schools have proved this to be valid and accepted.

However, the first criterion for choosing a test is to check which one your desired institute requires.

If they accept Duolingo English Test (DET), go for it as it’s shorter, cheaper, and more convenient to take. 

Also, you can consider other elements, such as the test structure and content, how familiar you are with each exam, and your budget, to make the final decision. 

Conclusion

We hope you are clear about the difference between the Duolingo English Test (DET) and the TOEFL.

Both have their pros and cons.

The former is shorter, faster to get results, and more cost-saving, while the latter is older, more widely accepted, and does not require internet and a laptop.

Choosing a suitable opinion depends on your desired institution’s requirements.

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!)