Duolingo English Test for Canada: What to Know

What the Duolingo English Test is

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English-proficiency test you can take from home on your own computer, with a webcam, rather than at a physical test centre. It uses a computer-adaptive format, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your answers, and it is generally shorter than a traditional test sitting.

Results are usually returned within a few days, and you can typically send them to institutions through the DET platform. Confirm the current format, fee, and turnaround on the official Duolingo English Test website.

Acceptance in Canada is growing — but not universal

A growing number of Canadian universities accept the Duolingo English Test, and its popularity rose because it can be taken at home and is comparatively quick. However, acceptance is NOT universal — some universities and some specific programs do not accept it at all, or accept it only for certain levels of study.

Never assume the DET will be accepted. Before you book, check the official English-language-requirements page of each target university and program to confirm that the DET is accepted there and what minimum score applies.

Scores and minimums

The DET reports an overall score on its own scale, which universities map to their own minimum requirement. Just like IELTS and TOEFL, there is no single national DET cutoff for Canada — each institution sets its own minimum and can revise it each cycle.

• Overall score on the DET's own scale
• Each university sets its own minimum — no national cutoff
• Minimums can change each admission cycle — verify before applying

When the DET can be a practical choice

For applicants who need a faster turnaround, find it hard to reach a physical test centre, or want a lower-cost option, the DET can be practical — but only if every program on your shortlist accepts it. If even one of your target programs does not accept the DET, you may still need IELTS or TOEFL for that application.

The safest approach is to confirm accepted tests for your whole shortlist first, then choose the single test (or tests) that covers all of them.

DET and the study permit

Acceptance of a test by a university for admission is separate from any immigration use. A Canadian study permit is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and which language tests it recognises for any given pathway is decided by IRCC, not by the university. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify study-permit and language requirements on the official Government of Canada source.