DET Registration 2026, Fee, Two-Camera Setup and How to Apply (~70 chars)

DET, the Duolingo English Test, has no fixed exam dates at all. Candidates purchase a test credit and then have 21 days to take it whenever they choose, including within minutes of buying it. This makes registration for DET fundamentally different from TOEFL or IELTS, where a specific date and time slot is booked in advance. The test itself takes about an hour, is taken entirely from a personal computer with no test centre option anywhere, and uses a distinctive two-camera setup to monitor candidates during the session. DET costs USD 70 for Indian candidates and results are typically ready within 48 hours of completing the test.

How the DET 21-Day Take-Anytime Window Works

Unlike exams that require booking a specific date and time months in advance, DET registration is really just a purchase. Once payment goes through, the candidate controls exactly when, within a 21-day span, to sit the test.

• There is no separate 'registration' step distinct from payment. Buying the test credit is the registration.
• Candidates can start the test literally minutes after purchasing it, if their setup is ready, or wait up to 21 days.
• If the test is not taken within 21 days, the credit expires automatically with no refund and no extension.
• There is no late registration fee of any kind, since there is no fixed date to be late for in the first place.

The Two-Camera Setup Required for DET

DET uses one of the stricter remote-proctoring setups among English proficiency tests. Beyond the standard webcam, candidates must also position a second device to monitor their hands and desk space throughout the test.

• Primary camera: the built-in or external webcam on the laptop or desktop, used for face and ID verification throughout the test.
• Secondary camera: a smartphone or tablet, positioned separately, that records the candidate's hands, keyboard, and desk area for the full duration.
• A webcam-based ear scan is required just before the test starts, to confirm the candidate is not wearing headphones or earpieces, which are banned entirely during the session.
• Mobile phones and tablets cannot be used to take the test itself. Only a Windows or macOS laptop or desktop with the official DET application is accepted as the primary testing device.

DET Fee for Indian Candidates

DET pricing is set in USD globally and does not change based on when a candidate registers, since there is no early or late registration distinction. A discounted two-test bundle is available for candidates who want a backup attempt built in.

Payment is accepted through Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or PayPal. Indian debit cards must be enabled for international transactions, since the transaction processes in USD regardless of the candidate's location.

How to Register for DET

Registration is designed to be completed in a matter of minutes. Most of the actual preparation, such as setting up the secondary camera and testing the internet connection, happens after payment rather than before.

• Step 1: Visit englishtest.duolingo.com and create a free account using an email address or a linked Google profile.
• Step 2: Confirm that a compatible desktop or laptop and a separate secondary device (smartphone or tablet) are both available for the two-camera proctoring requirement.
• Step 3: Take one of the unlimited free 15-minute practice tests to get familiar with the format before spending any money.
• Step 4: From the dashboard, select 'Purchase a Test' and choose either a single test or the two-test bundle.
• Step 5: Add the fast results option if a quicker turnaround is needed, then proceed to checkout.
• Step 6: Complete payment using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
• Step 7: Once payment is confirmed, the 21-day window begins. Start the test immediately or return later.

Documents and Setup Needed for DET

DET registration itself needs almost no paperwork, but test-day identity verification and the technical setup are both treated strictly. Missing any single requirement can block a candidate from starting the session.

• Valid Indian passport: this is the only accepted photo ID for Indian candidates. Aadhaar cards and voter IDs are rejected by the verification system.
• The name entered during account setup must exactly match the passport, since any mismatch can invalidate the attempt.
• A laptop or desktop computer with a supported browser, a working webcam, a microphone, and front-facing speakers.
• A smartphone or tablet for the secondary camera, positioned to show hands and desk area.
• A quiet, well-lit room where the candidate will be completely alone for the full test duration, with a clear desk free of pens, papers, or other items.
• Stable internet connection strong enough to support continuous video from two devices at once.

DET Has No Refund Policy for Cancellations

DET's cancellation terms are stricter than most other English proficiency tests. Once a test credit is purchased, there is no scenario in which the fee comes back, whether the candidate cancels voluntarily or simply lets the window expire.

• Cancelling a purchased test does not trigger any refund, regardless of how far in advance the cancellation happens.
• Letting the 21-day window lapse without taking the test also results in no refund. The credit simply expires.
• Rescheduling is not a distinct action within DET. Since there is no fixed date to move, 'rescheduling' effectively means repurchasing a fresh test and starting a new 21-day window.
• Technical failures during the test itself are handled differently: candidates must contact Duolingo Support within 24 hours of the failure to request a review, which may result in a free retake depending on the cause.

Sending DET Scores to Universities

DET takes a different approach to score reporting compared to most English proficiency tests, which usually cap free reports at a small number. This removes one layer of cost planning that candidates taking other tests have to manage.

• Scores can be sent to an unlimited number of participating institutions at no additional cost, with no cap on the free tier.
• Score reports are shared digitally through the candidate's DET account rather than mailed or issued as physical certificates.
• Results, including detailed subscores across reading, writing, listening, and speaking, are typically available within 48 hours of completing the test, or 12 hours with the fast results add-on.

DET Eligibility and What It Cannot Be Used For

DET's eligibility rules are unusually open compared to most standardised tests, but the score itself has a specific limitation that candidates should know before choosing it over alternatives.

• Candidates aged 13 and above can register independently. Those under 13 need parental or guardian consent.
• There is no minimum educational qualification required to take DET, since it is purely an English proficiency assessment.
• DET scores are accepted for university admissions by thousands of institutions worldwide, but they are not accepted for immigration or visa purposes in most countries. Candidates needing a score for immigration should use IELTS or PTE instead.

After Registering for DET

Once the test credit is purchased, the candidate can take the test at any point within the 21-day window using the official DET application. After completing the test, results including the overall score (on a 10-160 scale) and section-wise subscores appear in the account within 48 hours. Candidates then select institutions to receive the score report directly through the platform, at no extra cost, and can retake the test later if a higher score is needed, subject to Duolingo's attempt-spacing rules within a given period.

DET Registration FAQs

Ques: Can I take the DET on my phone instead of a laptop?

Ques: What happens if I don't take my DET within the 21-day window?

Ques: How many universities can I send my DET score to for free?

Ques: Can I use my Aadhaar card for identity verification during DET?

Ques: Is DET accepted for visa or immigration applications?