DET Score Conversion Chart 2026: DET to IELTS, TOEFL, PTE & CEFR
Vikram Patel
Test Prep & Visa Strategy Head
Vikram heads EEC's test preparation and visa strategy division. An IELTS Band 9 scorer himself, he has trained 10,000+ students across IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and GRE over 15 years. His visa interview coaching has an industry-leading high approval rate.
Understanding DET score conversion to IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and CEFR levels is essential for Indian students applying abroad in 2026. Many universities list requirements in IELTS bands — so knowing your DET score conversion to IELTS helps you decide if the Duolingo English Test is right for you. EEC's expert DET coaching helps students target the exact score they need, with conversions based on Duolingo's officially revised 2025 charts — now more conservative than earlier versions.
The Duolingo English Test costs just US$70 (~₹5,880), is taken from home on your computer anytime, delivers results in 48 hours, and allows unlimited free score sends to universities worldwide.
Why DET Score Conversions Matter
Most universities worldwide still list their English requirements in IELTS bands or TOEFL scores. When a university says "IELTS 6.5 required," you need to know what DET score equals that. Score conversions help you: (1) decide whether DET is a viable alternative for your target university, (2) set realistic score targets during your preparation, and (3) compare your options across multiple English proficiency tests.
Pro Tip
The Complete DET Score Conversion Mega-Table
This comprehensive table shows approximate equivalencies across all major English proficiency tests, based on Duolingo's official comparison page and verified against university-published equivalencies:
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| DET Score | IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | CEFR Level | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | 9.0 | 120 | 90 | C2 | — |
| 150 | 8.5 | 115-119 | 86-89 | C2 | Top PhD programs |
| 140 | 8.0 | 108-114 | 82-85 | C1+ | Oxford, Cambridge |
| 135 | 7.5 | 100-107 | 76-81 | C1 | Top 20 universities |
| 130 | 7.0 | 95-99 | 70-75 | B2+ | Most competitive programs |
| 125 | 6.5 | 90-94 | 65-69 | B2+ | Most Master’s programs |
| 120 | 6.0-6.5 | 83-89 | 58-64 | B2 | Most Bachelor’s programs |
| 115 | 6.0 | 78-82 | 53-57 | B2 | Average admission |
| 110 | 5.5-6.0 | 72-77 | 48-52 | B1+ | Community colleges, pathway |
| 105 | 5.5 | 65-71 | 42-47 | B1+ | Foundation programs |
| 100 | 5.0 | 58-64 | 36-41 | B1 | Conditional admission |
| 95 | 4.5-5.0 | 52-57 | 30-35 | B1 | Pathway programs |
| 90 | 4.5 | 46-51 | 25-29 | A2+ | Pre-foundation |
Warning
Need help understanding which DET score you need? EEC's counselors can map your target university's requirements to a specific DET score target. Book a free consultation today.
Book Free ConsultationDET 120 = IELTS 6.0-6.5: What This Means for Your Application
A DET score of 120 is one of the most common targets for Indian students. At this level, you meet the requirements for most Bachelor's programs and many Master's programs at mid-tier universities:
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| Context | DET 120 Implication |
|---|---|
| USA Universities | Meets minimum for most state universities, ASU, Purdue, Illinois |
| Canada Universities | Meets minimum for U of T, UBC (select programs) |
| UK Universities | Meets minimum for mid-tier universities; top unis may need 125-130 |
| IELTS Equivalent | ~6.0-6.5 bands |
| TOEFL Equivalent | ~83-89 |
| PTE Equivalent | ~58-64 |
Important: Duolingo Updated Conversions in 2025
In 2025, Duolingo officially revised its score conversion charts. The new conversions are more conservative than previous versions. This means some scores that previously mapped to higher IELTS bands now map to lower ones. For example, DET 125 was previously equated to IELTS 7.0-7.5 by some sources, but the updated chart places it at approximately IELTS 6.5.
This change matters because: (1) some universities have not updated their published equivalencies, (2) older blog posts and forums may show outdated conversions, and (3) your score target may need adjustment. EEC's DET coaching uses the latest conversion data to set accurate score targets for every student.
How Universities Use DET Sub-Scores
Some universities look at DET sub-scores (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production) in addition to the overall score. This is especially common for programs requiring strong writing (Literacy + Production) or strong communication (Conversation + Production). Read our detailed DET sub-scores guide for strategies to maximize each sub-score.
Good News
Score Conversion for Specific Countries
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| Country | Typical DET Range | IELTS Equivalent | Common Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (Top 50) | 120-140 | 6.5-8.0 | MS, MBA at top universities |
| USA (State/Mid) | 100-120 | 5.5-6.5 | MS, BS at state universities |
| Canada | 105-125 | 6.0-6.5 | MS, Diplomas, Bachelors |
| UK | 110-130 | 6.0-7.0 | Masters, Bachelors |
| Australia | 100-120 | 5.5-6.5 | Masters, Bachelors |
For detailed university-level scores, see DET scores for USA universities and DET scores for Canada universities.
Don’t Navigate This Alone.
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How to Maximize Your DET Score with EEC Coaching
EEC's expert DET trainers help you target your exact required score through adaptive test strategy, timed practice, and video interview coaching. At just ₹7,500 for both Classroom and Online Live, EEC's DET coaching is the most affordable path to your target score. Book a free consultation to get started. Also explore DET preparation tips and practice on EEC's DET Ready platform at detready.com.
“I used the conversion table to figure out I needed DET 125 for my Master's. EEC's coaching helped me score 135 in just 10 days. The adaptive strategy was key!”
— Ananya, MS in Data Science, Columbia University — DET 135
Compare DET with other tests: DET vs IELTS | DET vs TOEFL. Or explore IELTS coaching at EEC, TOEFL coaching for USA, and PTE coaching at EEC. Need financing? Check education loan for study abroad.
Scored well on DET? Let EEC handle your university applications. FREE counseling for USA, Canada, UK, and 37+ countries at every branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need the exact DET score for your target university? EEC's counselors map university requirements to specific DET targets. DET costs just US$70 (~₹5,880), results in 48 hours, and you can send scores to unlimited universities for free.
Book Free ConsultationWith over 5,700+ institutions worldwide accepting DET — in the USA, Canada, UK, and beyond — understanding score conversion is essential for a strong application. Submit an enquiry and EEC's counselors will contact you within 24 hours with a personalized DET study plan matched to your target universities.
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