The Duolingo English Test costs $70 USD per attempt. That is the whole headline price — but the number matters less than what it does and does not cover, and the DET's fee structure is unusually simple compared with the tests it competes against. Prices can change and can vary slightly by region, so treat $70 USD as the standard figure and confirm the current price at checkout.
The fee in one line
One payment of $70 USD buys one full, proctored, certified test. There is no separate registration fee, no booking surcharge, and no charge to send your results. You pay once, you take the test, and you send the score wherever you need it.
What the $70 actually includes
| Included in the fee | Detail |
|---|---|
| The full test | The complete adaptive assessment plus the writing and speaking sample. |
| Proctoring and certification | The session is proctored and the result is a certified score institutions accept. |
| Results within 2 days | Automated grading returns your score and all eight subscores quickly. |
| Unlimited score reports | Send your certified results to as many institutions as you like, at no extra cost. |
| 2 years of validity | The score remains usable for two years from the test date. |
Sending scores: the part that is genuinely unlimited
This is where the DET quietly saves you money. On some other tests, each additional score report to an institution carries its own fee. On the DET, sending your results is included — you can share your certified score with as many programs as you are applying to without paying again. For an applicant sending scores to eight or ten universities, that difference alone can be worth more than the test fee.
Retakes and the 30-day limit
Each attempt is a separate $70 USD purchase, and Duolingo limits you to three tests in any 30-day period. That cap is worth planning around: it means you cannot simply re-sit endlessly in a single week, so it is better to prepare properly, take one considered attempt, and keep a retake in reserve than to burn attempts hoping a number drifts upward. Institutions generally see the score you choose to send.
How it compares to IELTS and TOEFL
The DET is usually the cheapest of the three, as well as the fastest and the only fully at-home option:
| Test | Typical cost | Results in |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test | $70 USD | 2 days |
| IELTS | Often around $215–$310 (varies by country) | Days to about 2 weeks |
| TOEFL iBT | Often around $200–$300 (varies by country) | About 4–8 days |
The gap is real but the fee should not be the only factor: what settles it is which test your institutions accept. Where all three are accepted, the DET's lower cost, faster results and at-home format are a genuine advantage. The comparison page weighs the formats beyond price.
Is it worth it?
For most applicants whose target institutions accept it, yes — it is cheaper, faster and more convenient than the alternatives, and the unlimited reporting compounds the saving. The one caveat is acceptance: a slightly cheaper test you cannot use is not a saving. Confirm every program on your list accepts the DET before you pay, then the $70 USD is straightforwardly good value.
Rehearse before you spend the fee
The retake limit and the per-attempt fee are the two reasons not to walk in cold. The most expensive way to take the DET is to sit it unprepared, score below your level because the format surprised you, and pay again. Rehearsing the exact tasks first is the cheap insurance against that.
Quick reference: How much does the Duolingo English Test cost at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does the DET cost? | $70 USD per attempt. |
| Is there a fee to send scores? | No — score reports are unlimited and included. |
| How many times can I take it? | three tests in any 30-day period. |
| Is each retake paid? | Yes — every attempt is a separate $70 USD purchase. |
| How fast are results? | Within 2 days. |
| How long is a score valid? | 2 years. |
| Is it cheaper than IELTS/TOEFL? | Usually yes — those often run two to four times the price and vary by country. |
| Does the fee include proctoring? | Yes — the session is proctored and the score is certified. |
| Can the price change? | Yes — confirm the current fee at checkout; it can vary slightly by region. |
| Cheapest way to get a good score? | Prepare first so one attempt does it, rather than paying for repeated retakes. |
Questions people ask
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost?
$70 USD per attempt. That single fee covers the full proctored test, your certified results within 2 days, and unlimited score reports to institutions. Prices can change and vary slightly by region, so confirm the current figure at checkout, but $70 USD is the standard price.
Is there an extra charge to send my scores?
No. Sending your certified results to institutions is included and unlimited — you can share your score with as many programs as you apply to at no extra cost. This is one of the DET's biggest cost advantages over tests that charge per additional score report.
How much does it cost to retake the Duolingo English Test?
Each retake is a separate $70 USD purchase. There is no discount for repeat attempts, and you are limited to three tests in any 30-day period. That limit is a good reason to prepare thoroughly and take one considered attempt rather than paying repeatedly.
Is the Duolingo English Test cheaper than IELTS and TOEFL?
Usually, yes. The DET's $70 USD is generally well below IELTS and TOEFL, which often run roughly $200–$310 and vary by country. Add the DET's unlimited free score reports and the total-cost gap widens further for anyone applying to several institutions.
Why is the Duolingo English Test so much cheaper?
It is delivered online and graded automatically, with no test centre, no in-person invigilator and no paper. Those savings are passed into a lower fee. The trade-off is a computer-adaptive format rather than a human examiner — which is also why results come back within 2 days.
Are there any hidden fees?
The DET's pricing is unusually flat: one fee per attempt, with no separate registration charge and no per-report sending fee. The main way to spend more is to buy additional attempts. Always review the exact total at checkout, but there is no standard surcharge layered on top of the test price.
Can I get a fee waiver or discount?
Some access programs, sponsors and institutions provide vouchers or fee assistance for the DET, and Duolingo has run reduced-fee initiatives. Availability changes, so ask the institution or program you are applying through, and check Duolingo's current help pages rather than assuming a discount exists.
How many times can I take the test?
You can purchase three tests in any 30-day period. The window is rolling, so plan attempts with that cap in mind. Because each is a full-price purchase, most people are better served by preparing well and using fewer attempts than by re-sitting repeatedly.
Do I pay before or after taking the test?
You pay when you purchase the test, before you take it. Once purchased, you complete the session in the secure app and receive your certified results within 2 days. There is no additional charge at the results stage or to send scores afterward.
How long is my paid score valid?
2 years from the test date. If your applications span a long period, avoid testing so early that a strong score expires before the admission cycle you need it for — a wasted-validity retake is an avoidable $70 USD.
Is the fee refundable?
Refund and rescheduling terms are set by Duolingo and can change, so check their current purchase and refund policy before you buy. As a rule, treat the $70 USD as committed once you begin a session, and prepare beforehand so you only need the one attempt.
Does the price change by country?
The standard fee is quoted in USD, and what you pay can vary slightly with local pricing, currency and taxes. The figure shown at checkout for your account is the one that applies. Expect it to be in the region of $70 USD rather than dramatically different.
Is the Duolingo English Test worth the cost?
For applicants whose institutions accept it, generally yes — it is cheaper, faster and more convenient than the alternatives, with unlimited free reporting. The only real risk is paying for a test a target program does not accept, so confirm acceptance across your whole list before you buy.
Is there a cheaper English test that universities accept?
The DET is already among the least expensive widely accepted tests, and a cheaper option a university will not take is a false economy, not a saving. The decision is acceptance first, price second: use whichever accepted test costs least across your list. For most applicants who can use it, that is the DET.
How do I avoid paying twice?
Prepare so a single attempt does the job. Meet every task type, sit at least one full-length practice test under real conditions, and fix your weakest skill first. Walking in cold and re-sitting because the format surprised you is the most common way people spend $70 USD twice.