Myths and Facts About the Duolingo English Test
I get this question almost every week 👇
“Teacher Luke, is the Duolingo English Test (DET) really accepted by the best universities?”
The quick answer is, "Yes, of course!"
But... let’s break it down together in a bit more detail—myths vs. facts.
Myth 1: Universities Don’t Really Accept the Duolingo English Test
Fact: Over 5,700 programs worldwide officially accept the DET.
That includes:
- 7 out of 8 Ivy Leagues 🇺🇸
- 95% of U.S. News Top 100 universities 🇺🇸
- 100% of Irish universities 🇮🇪
- Many of the top universities in the UK 🇬🇧
Need Some examples? 👇
- USA: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, NYU, Stanford
- Canada: McGill, UBC, University of Toronto
- UK: Warwick University, Imperial College London, London School of Economics (LSE)
- Ireland: All of them!
- China: Tsinghua University, Wuhan University, Xi’an Jiaotong University
- And so many more!
If you want the full list of universities, here’s the official reference: Duolingo Accepted Institutions
👉 Takeaway: If your dream school accepts DET, you’re good to go. No need to overcomplicate this.
Myth 2: Admissions Officers Don’t Prefer the DET
Fact: If a test is listed on the university’s website, it’s 100% trusted.
Actually, many admissions officers prefer the DET because 👇
- Scores arrive in 2 days (vs. 10+ days for IELTS)
- It’s easier to verify online
- They can recommend DET to strong candidates for faster decisions
I remember one student—Ana from Brazil—who needed an urgent score for her Master’s program. Her admissions officer literally said:
“If you can take the Duolingo English Test this week, we can fast-track your file.”
👉 Takeaway: University officers like speed. The DET delivers speed.
PRO TIP: You can save 10% on your Duolingo English Test and get your results in just 24 hours when you book through DET Ready! Click here to get your discount 👉 Get 10% off your Duolingo English Test
Myth 3: The DET Is Too New to Be Trusted
Fact: The DET launched in 2016 and over 2 million test-takers have used it.
Yes, it’s newer than IELTS or TOEFL. But “new” just means:
- Modern test design (adaptive, online)
- Security built for now, not the 1980s
- Rapid growth in acceptance all over the world
The Duolingo English Test is almost 10 years old—and it’s grown faster than anyone expected.
Every year, more students choose it. Every year, more universities accept it.
Take a look at the facts 👇
- 2016 → Only a handful of schools accepted the DET
- 2025 → Ivy Leagues, top U.S. schools, and leading universities all over the world love the DET!
👉 Takeaway: New does not mean untrustworthy. In this case, new means relevant.
Myth 4: The DET Can’t Be Used for Visas
Fact: DET works for visas in multiple countries.
Here are the specifics 👇
- U.S.: Accepted for student visas (if school is SEVP-certified)
- Ireland: DET is on the official visa list
- Canada: The Student Direct Stream (SDS) now accepts DET
- UK: If your university accepts DET and issues a CAS letter, your visa is fine
Full reference: DET for Visa Use
👉 Takeaway: If the school accepts DET, the visa almost always follows.
💡 Why I Keep Sharing This
I’ve taught thousands of students through YouTube and DET Ready VIP—and here’s the truth:
- Most myths come from outdated information
- Universities change policies every year
- Students waste time and money on tests they don’t need - take the DET instead.
That’s why I keep linking back to my YouTube channel and to our DET Ready VIP program (where I help 1000+ students pass the DET every month).
Because the faster you have clarity, the faster you can move forward.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still asking yourself:
“Will my DET score work for my dream school?”
Here’s the easiest plan:
- Check the school’s website (or check here)
- Confirm DET is listed
- Focus on preparation, not myths.
And if you want to prepare smart—I have free videos, live lessons, and an AI practice platform that will save you months of stress.
— Teacher Luke 👨🏫
DET Ready | Helping 1,000+ students pass the DET every month