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Duolingo English Test Pattern: Format, Structure and Question Types

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Yocket Editorial Team
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A leading digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency test, the Duolingo English Test is accepted by thousands of universities and taken by millions of students worldwide. It is an English test designed for aspirants - convenient, fast, affordable, and trusted globally. The test is brought to you by Duolingo, the most popular online language-learning platform. 

The Duolingo English Test(DET) is much more convenient and accessible for students pursuing higher education overseas when compared to other English proficiency tests as it can be taken online anytime and anywhere, there’s no need for prior appointments, or long commutes to test centres. It can be completed in just one hour and the test taker can access their results in two days. A test taker’s overall score, subscores, and writing and speaking samples are included in the results which can be shared to an infinite number of institutions absolutely free of cost! 

 

Duolingo English Test Structure

 

Due to its computer-adaptive nature, the Duolingo English Test offers a unique experience for each test taker and every session, with varying question order and difficulty levels. This adaptability sets it apart from other tests, as questions of the same type are not typically grouped together.  The Duolingo English Test (DET) is designed to efficiently evaluate a test taker's English language proficiency, with a flexible number of questions. The test consists of three primary sections: introduction and onboarding (5 minutes), adaptive test (45 minutes), and writing and speaking samples (10 minutes). The test does not have a predetermined number of questions; instead, it concludes when the grading engine determines a confident assessment of the test taker's score. 

 

  • The introduction and onboarding section of the test requires those taking the test to confirm that the computer's camera, speakers, and microphone are all in working order. They must also read the test's guidelines and requirements, and produce a valid ID from the government. 
  • The adaptive test section evaluates a test taker's English proficiency using a variety of question formats. The questions appear at random, and the test taker's performance determines how difficult the questions will be in real-time. 
  • For the writing and speaking sample, a prompt is given, following which the test taker needs to respond to at length. A 1-3 minute response is allowed for the speaking sample, and a 3-5 minute response is allowed for the written sample. The respondent will have the chance to evaluate the results once the test is concluded. Institutions that receive the test taker's results will also receive these samples.

 

One of the best ways to learn about the structure of the test is to watch the video walkthrough, available on the Duolingo English Test website or their YouTube channel.

 

Suggested: Universities Accepting Duolingo English Test 

 

Unlimited practice opportunities with the DET sample test 

 

To assist individuals in preparing for the Duolingo English Test (DET), the official DET website offers a complimentary online practice test. By leveraging this practice test, test takers can gain firsthand experience of the actual test, get acquainted with the test content and question patterns. The practice test typically takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and users are provided with an estimated score, enabling them to gauge their current proficiency level. 

 

It is crucial to remember that the practice test is unproctored and shorter than the actual exam. The projected score from the practice test is therefore based on an assumption made on much fewer question types, and consequently, is not truly representative of the actual test score.

 

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Duolingo Test Structure and Question Types:

 

The Duolingo English Test (DET) aims to assess multiple subscores, including comprehension, conversation, literacy, and production. The test comprises various question types, each designed to evaluate specific language competencies. The frequency of these question types varies for each test taker, ensuring a customised testing experience. It is important to note that the number of questions of each type may differ between tests and test takers. The table below provides an overview of the question types, allotted time, and resources accessed during the test, offering aspiring students valuable insights: 

 

Question Type

Time 

What it Measures

Question type explained

Read and Complete

3 mins

Literacy, Comprehension

Fill in the blank, complete the passage

Read and Select

1 min

Literacy, Comprehension

Identify real words (audio), yes/no vocabulary (audio)

Listen and Select

1.5 min

Conversation, Comprehension

Identify real words (audio), yes/no vocabulary (audio)

Listen and Type

1 min

Conversation, Comprehension

Write the statement you just heard

Read Aloud

20 secs

Conversation, Comprehension

Speak the written statement

Write About the Photo

1 min

Literacy, Production

Describe the image (written)

Speak About the Photo

1.5 mins

Conversation, Production

Describe the image (aural)

Read, Then Write

5 mins

Literacy, Production

Open-response writing

Read, Then Speak

1.5 mins

Conversation, Production

Open-response speaking

Video Sample

3 mins

Reading, Speaking

Extended speaking, video interview

Listen, Then Speak

1.5 mins

Conversation, Production

Open-response speaking

Complete the Sentences

7-8 mins

Literacy, Comprehension

Identify the correct word in the sentence passage

Complete the Passage

7-8 mins

Literacy, Comprehension

Identify the correct sentence to complete the passage

Highlight the Answer

7-8 mins

Literacy, Comprehension

Highlight the relevant text

Identify the Idea

7-8 mins

Literacy, Comprehension

Find a main idea in the passage

Writing Sample

7-8 mins

Literacy, Production

Extended writing

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