How much does the Duolingo English Test cost and for how long is the result valid?

Duolingo raised its test fee since many older estimates were published, so if you are budgeting from an article written even a year ago, check the current price directly on Duolingo's own site before you pay.

Current Cost and What You Get

The Duolingo English Test currently costs US$70, roughly ₹5,900 to ₹6,000 depending on the exchange rate and any checkout fees. The test itself takes about an hour, is taken entirely online from home, and results are normally available within 48 hours. You can send your certified score to institutions without paying an additional fee per university.

Score Validity

Your score is valid for 2 years from the test date. After that, the score expires and you would need to retake the test if you are applying to a new intake outside that window. This mirrors the general pattern across major English tests, where scores are treated as a snapshot of current proficiency rather than a permanent credential.

Before You Book

• Confirm university acceptance: DET acceptance varies by institution and programme, so check your specific target universities before paying.
• Check the minimum score required: requirements differ by country and course, so a generic good score claim is not reliable.
• Plan around the 48-hour turnaround: useful if you are working against a tight application deadline, since it is faster than many alternative tests.

This Information Is Also Available On

Duolingo English Test's official blog pages covering test readiness, accessibility and score validity.

My Advice

Do not assume every university on your list accepts DET just because it is convenient and fast. In my experience, students who take DET without checking acceptance first sometimes have to retake IELTS or PTE anyway for one specific university, which costs far more time and money than confirming acceptance upfront would have.