IELTS Academic vs Duolingo English Test (DET)
IELTS Academic is 2 hr 45 min, around $130-170, and is the traditional standard accepted by 11,000+ institutions worldwide. The Duolingo English Test is 1 hour, $65, taken at home on a computer, accepted by 5,500+ institutions (increasing) but not accepted for a UK Student Visa. If speed + budget are the priority, the DET; for broad global institutional acceptance + a visa, IELTS.
Option 1
Traditional + global standard
British Council, IDP — accepted by 11,000+ institutions
Option 2
Online + fast + cheap
From home, $65, 1 hour — accepted by 5,500+ institutions
| Criterion | IELTS Academic | Duolingo English Test (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hr 45 min | 1 hour (test) + 30 min video interview |
| Format | Paper/CD-IELTS center (Speaking in a separate session) | 100% online (from home, with a camera) |
| Fee (2026) | ~$140-180 | ~$65 |
| Score range | 0-9 band, each skill separate + overall | 10-160 points (CEFR equivalent) |
| Result time | 13 days (paper) / 3-5 days (computer) | 48 hours (usually 24-48) |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| UK Student Visa (UKVI) | Accepted (as UKVI IELTS) | NOT ACCEPTED — UKVI only accepts SELTs |
| US universities | Accepted by all schools | Accepted by 5,500+ schools (including some top ones like Yale, Stanford) |
| Canada/Australia visa | Accepted (mandatory for immigration) | Only for a work visa — the student visa differs |
| Test frequency | 4 center exams per month | Anytime, year-round (24/7) |
| Retake fee | Full fee (~$160) | Full fee (~$65), but limited to 2 in 30 days |
IELTS Academic is right for you if
Duolingo English Test (DET) is right for you if
1) If you are applying for a UK Student Visa — UKVI only accepts IELTS UKVI, TOEFL UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI and Trinity SELT. The DET is NOT accepted. 2) Some Ivy League and Oxbridge programs still do not accept the DET and require IELTS/TOEFL. 3) Immigration visas (Canada Express Entry, Australia skilled migration) do not accept the DET — only IELTS General/TOEFL.
Medical/pharmacy board acceptance (UK, Australia, Canada): IELTS Academic. UK student visa: UKVI IELTS. New Zealand student/immigration visa: IELTS. Australia 482 visa: IELTS General. In these cases there is no DET option.
For first applications, the DET — fast, cheap, a 48-hour result. If your target school accepts it, use the score. With a high score (around 120+/160) + a strong profile, many top-tier schools accept it. At the visa stage, additionally take UKVI IELTS (if needed).
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