All You Need to Know About Duolingo English Test

So, you’re planning to study abroad – but are you truly prepared?

When someone mentions studying abroad, the picture they paint often feels like a dreamy, AI-generated Ghibli scene – flawless, magical, and effortlessly beautiful. But the reality? It’s a little more complex.

The journey to your dream university overseas can be exciting, yes – but it’s rarely easy. Among the many challenges you’ll face, one of the first hurdles is proving your English language proficiency.

If you’re aiming to study or work in an English-speaking country, taking a recognised English language test is essential. Traditionally, exams like IELTS and TOEFL have been the go-to options. However, a more accessible and flexible alternative is making waves – the Duolingo English Test (DET).

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Duolingo English Test – from its format to its benefits, and how it compares with the traditional exams.

So, let’s dive right in!

What is Duolingo English Test?

Duolingo English Test or DET is an English proficiency exam which is conducted online and customised as per the new-age environment. Unlike other centre-based English proficiency exams, DET conducted by Duolingo was launched in 2016, that can be taken online from the comfort of a test-taker’s home. All you need is a computer, internet, webcam, and quiet surrounding.

The Duolingo English Test assesses your core language skills – reading, writing, speaking, and listening – through a single, adaptive test that takes just 45 to 60 minutes to complete.

DET in a Nutshell

Why Choose Duolingo English Test?

In the world of most popular Exams to Study Abroad, IELTS and TOEFL are the first choice of many. However, the Duolingo exam is finding its way to the top and here are the reasons. If you are also planning to study abroad and wondering about the right study abroad exam, then here are your reasons to pick the DET exam this time.

Duolingo English Test Format

The Duolingo English Test is designed for the modern test-taker – making it quicker, simpler, and more accessible than traditional English exams for studying abroad. Despite its convenience, it holds equal value and assesses the same core skills as other standardised tests.

The DET is divided into three main sections, each requiring your full attention and focus. Here’s a breakdown of what the Duolingo Test Format looks like:

1. Introduction (5 Minutes)

The first part of your DET is about introduction and instruction. The inaugural section teaches you about the rules and regulations of the exam along with mentioning the requirements. To get started with your Duolingo exam, you first have to identify yourself through a valid photo ID and webcam check.

2. Adaptive Test (45 Minutes)

The main section of your Duolingo English Test consists of a series of mixed questions covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Over the next 45 minutes, your English proficiency will be assessed through this adaptive format.

Unlike traditional English exams, which follow a section-by-section approach, the Duolingo test is dynamic – you won’t know what type of question is coming next. This keeps the experience unpredictable yet engaging. Below are the types of questions you can expect during this section of the DET.

• Complete missing letters in a sentence (you need to have a good vocabulary to insert right word at the place)
• Read aloud sentences (to check your speaking skills)
• Type what you head (is for your listening power)
• Describe an image (this checks your writing skills and imagination power)
• Speak your answers to prompts (again your ability to speaking confidently and fluently)

3. Video Interview + Writing Sample (10 Minutes)

The last step of your Duolingo exam is all about your speaking and writing skills. The first of the two lasts is about speaking for one-minute straight on any prompt, topic, or image. Followed by writing a response to a new image, prompt, or topic. This part of the exam helps the universities see your spontaneous speaking and writing abilities.

Universities Accepting Duolingo Exam

As the Duolingo exam is accepted in more than 4500 institutions worldwide, some of the major universities accepting the Duolingo English Test includes

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of Glasgow
• University of New South Wales
• Monash University
• King’s College London

Tips to Prepare for Duolingo English Test

Now that you have got all the crucial information about the DET exam, it is time to enlighten you about the tips to prepare for that. Unlike other exams to study abroad, the DET is easier to crack and require even less amount of practice. Just right strategy and guidance and you can easily crack your DET exam. Here’s how you must prepare for it.

Understand the Question Type

Before studying for the test, it is important for you to study about the test. Instead of starting directly with the practice test, take your time in understanding what the exam you are taking is about. Read the instructions, know the test type, familiarise yourself with the questions, and understand the questions. As mentioned above, the DET questions aren’t given section-wise, you will be having random questions without any sequence. Hence, it is important for you to familiarise yourself with the type of questions. To do so, you can take the Duolingo English Test practice or sample papers. Ensure to use sample papers only from the official Duolingo website.

Improve Core Skills

As you know the English language exam is all about reading, writing, listening, and speaking; hence, while practicing, ensure to improve your core skills. Rather than finding extra time from your schedule to study for this English language exam, you better indulge the English skills in your daily routine. For instance, while travelling, you can read English newspapers and books. When having a conversation with someone, talk in English. When looking for entertainment, watch English shows and movies. And at last, before going to bed you can do journaling; where you can write about your day in English. All these healthy practices will help you in Improving Your English Skills quicker and better.

Record Yourself

Whether you are taking the sample paper or preparing for the speaking section, always ensure to time or record yourself. It is a good practice to time yourself. In this manner you will get the knowledge of how much time you are investing in each question and how much you have to improve. As every right answer is an increment of 5 marks, you must ensure to answer all the questions. And by keeping a track of time of your answers, you will have a clarity of how well you are performing. Furthermore, by recording yourself speaking spontaneously, you will know what mistakes you are making and can improve your diction and vocabulary accordingly.

MetaApply IE- Your Ultimate Guide for Test Preparations

Now that you have a clear understanding of the Duolingo English Test, planning your study abroad journey should feel a little less overwhelming. We know how stressful it can be to prepare every document and meet all the requirements. That’s exactly where MetaApply IE steps in to support you.

Our experienced counsellors guide you not just in shortlisting the right courses and universities abroad, but also in preparing for your English language exams.

With our dedicated TestPrep Mentorship, you can prepare for any study abroad exam at your own pace. From small-group sessions to fully personalised classes, we offer flexible learning options tailored to your needs.

So, if you’re determined to clear your English language exam on the first attempt this year, get in touch with MetaApply IE today – and take the next step towards your dream destination.