[Published: 28 October 2026 | Last updated: 28 October 2026]
TL;DR
- The Duolingo English Test (DET) costs US$70, takes about one hour from home, and returns results within 24 to 48 hours (Cialfo, 2026).
- At about 120 taka per dollar, the DET fee in Bangladesh is roughly BDT 8,400, about a quarter of the IELTS fee.
- Scores run from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps, and most competitive programmes ask for 105 to 130 (Cialfo, 2026).
- More than 6,000 universities accept the DET (Cialfo, 2026), but some universities and visa routes still require IELTS.
- You need a computer with a webcam and microphone, a quiet room, and an international card that pays in US dollars.
What Is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test you take at home on your own computer. It takes about an hour, adapts its difficulty to your answers, and is scored by artificial intelligence with human proctoring (Cialfo, 2026).
For students in Bangladesh, the DET matters because it removes two problems with IELTS: the high fee and the trip to a test centre. You can take it from Dhaka, Rajshahi or a small town, any day of the week, as long as you have a stable internet connection.
How Much Does the Duolingo English Test Cost in Bangladesh?
The Duolingo English Test costs US$70 per attempt (Cialfo, 2026). There is no separate Bangladesh price, because Duolingo charges the same fee everywhere and takes payment online in US dollars.
At about 120 taka per dollar, US$70 is roughly BDT 8,400, plus any card or bank charges. For comparison, IELTS in Bangladesh costs BDT 31,100 at the British Council for registrations from 4 September 2026 (Mentors' Education, 2026).
| Cost item | Duolingo English Test | IELTS (Bangladesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Test fee | US$70 (about BDT 8,400) | BDT 28,450 to BDT 31,100 |
| Where you take it | At home, online | Test centre |
| Results | 24 to 48 hours | Several days |
| Sending scores | Free to unlimited universities | Free for a limited number of reports |
Sources: Cialfo (2026), Mentors' Education (2026), IDP Bangladesh (2026).
Faster results within 12 hours are available for an extra fee (Mastersportal, 2026). Most students do not need this unless a deadline is very close.
How to Pay the Duolingo English Test Fee from Bangladesh
You pay the DET fee online with a card that supports international payments in US dollars. Most Bangladeshi debit cards are limited to local payments, so check with your bank before you register.
Students usually use one of these options:
- A dual-currency credit card from a Bangladeshi bank, enabled for online international payments.
- An international debit card linked to your passport endorsement (travel quota) from your bank.
- A card belonging to a family member, if your bank and the card owner allow it.
Ask your bank to enable international e-commerce transactions before you try to pay. Payments often fail when this setting is off.
What Is the Duolingo English Test Format?
The DET is a single adaptive test of about one hour, plus a short unscored writing and speaking sample that universities can view. Adaptive means each question gets harder or easier depending on how you answered the last one.
You receive one overall score and four subscores, each on the same 10-160 scale (Cialfo, 2026):
| Subscore | Skills it combines |
|---|---|
| Literacy | Reading and writing |
| Comprehension | Reading and listening |
| Conversation | Listening and speaking |
| Production | Writing and speaking |
Question types are short and fast. You complete words in a passage, pick real English words from fake ones, listen and type what you hear, describe an image, and speak about a topic for up to a few minutes.
What Is a Good Duolingo English Test Score?
A good Duolingo English Test score for university admission is usually between 105 and 130 (Cialfo, 2026). Scores are reported from 10 to 160 in 5-point steps.
As a rough guide, treat 105 to 115 as the level many undergraduate and standard master's programmes ask for. Competitive universities and programmes often ask for 120 to 130 or more. Always check the exact number on each programme's English requirements page.
Which Universities Accept the Duolingo English Test?
More than 6,000 universities accept the Duolingo English Test (Cialfo, 2026). This includes many universities in the United States, Canada, the UK and Europe.
Acceptance is still lower than IELTS, and it is decided per programme. Before you book, search the university's English language page for "Duolingo". If the page lists only IELTS, TOEFL and PTE, the programme does not accept the DET.
Visa rules are separate from admission. Some visa routes require a specific approved test taken at a test centre, so an admission offer based on the DET does not guarantee the visa will accept it.
What Do You Need for the Test Day?
You need a computer, a webcam, a microphone and a quiet private room (Cialfo, 2026). Phones and tablets are not allowed for the test itself.
Check these points before test day:
- Use a laptop or desktop with a working front camera, microphone and speakers.
- Sit alone in a quiet, well-lit room with the door closed and no notes nearby.
- Use a stable internet connection, and keep a mobile hotspot ready as a backup during load-shedding.
- Have your passport ready, since you must show valid ID on camera.
Common Mistakes Bangladeshi Students Make with the DET
The most expensive mistake is losing a test to a rule break. The DET is proctored on video, so looking away from the screen or someone entering the room can lead to an uncertified result.
Other mistakes to avoid:
- Booking before checking your university. Confirm the programme accepts the DET first.
- Ignoring power cuts. Charge your laptop fully and plan your test time away from your area's usual load-shedding hours.
- Skipping practice. The question types are unusual, so take the free practice test on the Duolingo website first.
How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test
Start with the free official practice test to learn the question types, then train your weakest skill. Speaking and writing under time pressure are where most students lose points.
The free AI Speaking Coach and Writing Examiner on EnglishPreps are built for IELTS, but they train the same skills the DET's Production and Conversation subscores measure. If you are still choosing a test, read our guide to studying abroad without IELTS from Bangladesh.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Duolingo English Test
What is the Duolingo English Test fee in Bangladesh?
The Duolingo English Test costs US$70 (Cialfo, 2026), which is roughly BDT 8,400 at about 120 taka per dollar. You pay online with a card that supports international payments.
Can I take the Duolingo English Test from Bangladesh?
Yes. The DET is taken online at home, so you can take it anywhere in Bangladesh with a computer, webcam, microphone and stable internet.
How long does it take to get Duolingo English Test results?
Results usually arrive within 24 to 48 hours (Cialfo, 2026). A faster results option within 12 hours costs extra (Mastersportal, 2026).
How many times can I take the Duolingo English Test?
You can take the DET up to two times in any 30-day period (Galvanize Test Prep, 2026). Each attempt costs the full fee.
Is the Duolingo English Test easier than IELTS?
It is shorter and more convenient, but not necessarily easier. The questions are fast and unusual, so students who practise the format score better.
How long is a Duolingo English Test score valid?
Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years (Cialfo, 2026).
What to Remember Before You Book the DET
- The DET costs US$70, about a quarter of the IELTS fee in Bangladesh.
- Check that each programme on your list accepts the DET before you pay.
- Sort out an international payment card and a quiet room before booking a time.
- Practise the unusual question types with the free official practice test first.