DET Syllabus 2026: Skills, Tasks and Format

DET 2026 syllabus is not really a list of topics, since it is an English proficiency test, not a subject exam. Duolingo scores DET 2026 across 8 subscores built from four core skills, tested through 13 distinct question types rather than fixed reading or writing sections. The format itself changed in mid-2025, dropping two old question types and adding a new AI-based speaking task, and a second camera has been mandatory for every session since September 2025. This page covers the real skill categories, every question type, what changed recently, and how a DET score lines up against IELTS and TOEFL.

DET 2026 Syllabus Highlights

DET has no fixed exam date and no physical test centre. A candidate books a slot, sits the test at home on a laptop, and gets a certified score within 48 hours, with the score staying valid for university applications for 2 years after the test date.

The 8 Subscores Behind Every DET Question

A single DET question rarely tests just one skill in isolation. Most tasks feed into two subscores at once, which is why the test can stay under an hour and still report this much detail. Universities that ask for an overall DET score often look at the individual subscores too, especially when a programme leans heavily on one particular skill.

A programme heavy on lectures and group discussion, for instance, may weigh the Conversation subscore more than a programme built around independent reading and research.

DET's 13 Question Types

These 13 DET tasks appear mixed together through the 45-minute adaptive section, not grouped into separate reading, writing, listening, and speaking blocks the way IELTS or TOEFL are structured. The exact mix and order shown to any one candidate depends on how they answer earlier questions, so no two test takers see an identical sequence.

Reading Tasks

Reading tasks range from a few seconds per word to a full passage with several follow-up questions, so pacing differs a lot within this one group.

Listening Tasks

Only two dedicated listening tasks exist, but Interactive Listening is one of the longest single tasks in the whole test.

Speaking Tasks

Interactive Speaking is the newest of the three, replacing two older task types in the mid-2025 update.

Writing Tasks

Interactive Writing carries the strictest time limit of any task in the test, at 5 minutes for a fully argued response.

What Changed in the Mid-2025 Format Update

DET's question list is not the same one that circulated a year or two ago, and studying from an outdated guide means preparing for tasks that no longer exist. The update also affected how the Speaking subscore is built, since the removed tasks and the new one are not scored in quite the same way.

A candidate who last looked at DET material before mid-2025 should treat roughly a third of the question types as unfamiliar, even if the overall scoring scale and subscores have not changed.

The Last 10 Minutes Are Not Scored, But Universities See Them Anyway

The final part of DET works differently from the 45-minute adaptive section that comes before it.

• This section asks a candidate to write on a topic and record a video response on a separate topic
• Neither task feeds into the 10 to 160 numeric score
• Universities that receive a DET score report can still open and view the actual video and written responses directly
• A candidate with a strong numeric score but a noticeably weaker sample section can raise doubts for an admissions officer reviewing the full report
• Treating this section as low-stakes because it is unscored is a common and avoidable mistake

DET Score Compared With IELTS and TOEFL

A university that quotes an IELTS or TOEFL requirement usually has a matching DET figure, even if it is not printed on the same page.

Duolingo does not set a single passing score for DET, since every university decides its own minimum. Most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes ask for somewhere between 105 and 130, with more selective or research-heavy programmes generally sitting at the higher end of that range.

A Second Camera Is Now Part of the Test Rules

Since September 2025, a phone camera has joined the laptop webcam as part of every certified DET session:

• A smartphone must be positioned to give a side view of the desk and testing area, in addition to the laptop's own front-facing camera
• Both cameras stay active for the full session, including the unscored Writing and Speaking Sample section
• A candidate without a working second camera set up correctly may not be allowed to start or complete the test
• This is separate from the identity verification step at the start of the test, which still requires a passport or other government-issued photo ID
• Candidates are encouraged to test both cameras and the full setup using the official practice environment before booking a paid, certified attempt

Where to Find the Official DET Format Guide

Duolingo does not release a DET syllabus PDF the way a school-based exam would, but it does publish a detailed scoring guide:

• The official scoring guide, published on englishtest.duolingo.com, explains every question type, timing, and how each one is scored
• This guide is updated whenever the format changes, so it reflects the current mid-2025 update rather than an older version
• The scoring guide also includes real sample answers with scores and commentary, which is more useful than a plain topic list for a test built around live performance
• The free official practice test is the most accurate way to experience the current format before test day

DET Syllabus 2026 FAQs

Ques: Does DET have a fixed number of questions like IELTS or TOEFL?

Ques: Is the Writing and Speaking Sample section scored?

Ques: Can older DET practice material still be trusted after the mid-2025 changes?

Ques: Does a stronger Production subscore matter more than a strong Comprehension subscore?

Ques: Can a candidate skip the second camera requirement if only a laptop is available?