Scope. Official Duolingo English Test data and publisher surveys. Duolingo app learners and PrepEx practice users are not counted as DET candidates.
Where do Duolingo English Test takers come from?
These figures retain Duolingo’s geographic categories and session denominators.
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219#
Duolingo’s 2025 Language Report says people from 219 countries took the DET.
This uses the publisher’s geographic categories; do not read it as a count of sovereign states.
Duolingo · 2025 Duolingo Language Report: English certification 2025 report; session statistics as labelled by Duolingo · Checked 12 September 2026
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148#
The 2025 Duolingo Language Report identifies 148 first languages among DET test takers.
Duolingo · 2025 Duolingo Language Report: English certification 2025 report; session statistics as labelled by Duolingo · Checked 12 September 2026
How widely is the Duolingo English Test accepted?
Duolingo’s June 2026 acceptance article counts programs. Regional calculations below use the Language Report’s rounded session shares.
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6,500+#
Duolingo’s acceptance article, updated 29 June 2026, reports more than 6,500 programs recognising the DET.
Programs are not necessarily distinct universities. Check the exact course and intake.
Duolingo · How many universities accept the Duolingo English Test? Updated 29 June 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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99%#
Duolingo reports that 99% of programs that began accepting the DET before January 2021 continue to accept it.
A publisher-reported retention figure for that historical group, not an acceptance rate for applicants.
Duolingo · How many universities accept the Duolingo English Test? Updated 29 June 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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+18.6%#
PrepEx calculates an approximately 18.6% relative increase in Africa’s share of DET sessions in Duolingo’s 2025 report.
This is growth in share, not growth in the absolute number of African test takers.
PrepEx calculation (8.3 − 7.0) ÷ 7.0 × 100 = 18.57%, rounded to one decimal place.
Duolingo · 2025 Duolingo Language Report: English certification 2025 report; session statistics as labelled by Duolingo · Checked 12 September 2026
What do universities say about the DET?
Duolingo surveyed participating institutions in May 2025. These are self-reported opinions, not an independent causal evaluation of admissions outcomes.
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230+ institutions#
More than 230 institutions participated in Duolingo’s May 2025 flash survey.
Duolingo · Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DET May 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025 · Checked 12 September 2026
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72%#
In Duolingo’s May 2025 survey, 72% of respondents rated the DET very or extremely effective at supporting enrolment goals.
Duolingo · Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DET May 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025 · Checked 12 September 2026
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22%#
In the same Duolingo survey, another 22% of respondents rated the DET moderately effective for enrolment goals.
Duolingo · Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DET May 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025 · Checked 12 September 2026
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70%#
In Duolingo’s May 2025 survey, 70% of respondents called the DET a meaningful contributor to diversifying their international applicant pool.
Duolingo · Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DET May 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025 · Checked 12 September 2026
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97%#
In Duolingo’s May 2025 survey, 97% rated the DET’s validity as a measure of academic English from moderate to very strong.
An opinion-survey percentage is not a psychometric validity coefficient.
Duolingo · Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DET May 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025 · Checked 12 September 2026
How is the DET scored, and when do results arrive?
Official DET scores and delivery windows come from Duolingo. PrepEx’s independent practice estimates are not official DET results.
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10–160#
The official Duolingo English Test reports overall English proficiency on a 10–160 scale.
Duolingo · How is the DET scored? Published 13 October 2025; checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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4 skills#
The DET assesses English reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Duolingo · How is the DET scored? Published 13 October 2025; checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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5 points#
Duolingo English Test scores use five-point increments.
Duolingo · How is the DET scored? Published 13 October 2025; checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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4 combined scores#
The DET also reports four integrated subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production.
Each combines two of the individual language skills.
Duolingo · How is the DET scored? Published 13 October 2025; checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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Within 2 days#
Duolingo’s Help Center says DET results arrive within two days of completing the test.
Duolingo English Test Help Center · How long does it take to receive my results? Current guidance, checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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Within 12 hours#
Duolingo’s purchased Faster Results option provides results within 12 hours of completing the DET, according to its Help Center.
This option must be purchased; a test already under review cannot be expedited.
Duolingo English Test Help Center · How long does it take to receive my results? Current guidance, checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
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2 years#
Official Duolingo English Test results are valid for two years.
After expiry, candidates cannot share the result or view its certificate, and institutions lose certificate access.
Duolingo English Test Help Center · How long are my DET results valid? Current guidance, checked September 2026 · Checked 12 September 2026
Reading the evidence
More global reach does not make every count comparable
Duolingo’s reports describe sessions, first-language groups, accepting programs and survey respondents. Each answers a different question. In particular, growth in a region’s share is not the same as growth in the number of people testing there, and a survey of participating institutions is not a census of all universities.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Earlier comparison | 7.0 |
| 2025 report | 8.3 |
Source: 2025 Duolingo Language Report: English certification. Chart by PrepEx.
How we checked these statistics
We compiled these facts from the organisations that publish or administer the tests, their research reports and corporate disclosures. Each entry links to its source and identifies its data period. The 2026 page date records this edition’s review; it does not turn older data into 2026 observations.
Calculations are labelled and show their inputs. Publisher figures retain qualifiers such as “more than,” “typically” and “approximately.” We do not estimate missing candidate totals from revenue, turn test sittings into unique people, or treat recognition counts as admission guarantees.
Limits. The report’s year label is retained; no full-calendar-year census is assumed. Country categories, sessions, programs and survey responses have different denominators. These figures do not establish an applicant pass rate or admission probability.
PrepEx provides independent test preparation. This compilation is not an official report from a test provider. For a current application or booking, confirm the rule with the provider or receiving organisation.
Found a changed source or correction? Contact PrepEx and include the statistic’s permanent link. We update the review date when the evidence is rechecked.
Primary sources
- Duolingo — 2025 Duolingo Language Report: English certification2025 report; session statistics as labelled by Duolingo. Accessed 12 September 2026.
- Duolingo — How many universities accept the Duolingo English Test?Updated 29 June 2026. Accessed 12 September 2026.
- Duolingo — Why more colleges and universities are accepting the DETMay 2025 institutional survey; published 26 August 2025. Accessed 12 September 2026.
- Duolingo — How is the DET scored?Published 13 October 2025; checked September 2026. Accessed 12 September 2026.
- Duolingo English Test Help Center — How long does it take to receive my results?Current guidance, checked September 2026. Accessed 12 September 2026.
- Duolingo English Test Help Center — How long are my DET results valid?Current guidance, checked September 2026. Accessed 12 September 2026.
Cite this page
Feng, Kate. (2026). Duolingo English Test Statistics 2026: Reach & Scores. PrepEx. Sources checked 12 September 2026. https://prepex.ai/duolingo-english-test-statistics
For a quoted figure, retain its data year and original publisher. Link to its # anchor above so readers can check the exact claim. The JSON download contains the same facts, notes, calculations and source links as this page.
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