Duolingo is the newest English language proficiency test. And it has been growing in popularity amongst students and international educational institutions alike. However, because it is relatively new, students are not well aware of how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test. Similar to the commonly known IELTS and TOEFL, the Duolingo English Test also analyses the applicant’s English language skills. But the mode and the structure of the Duolingo English Test is different from its counterparts. Therefore, the approach for Duolingo English Test preparation would be different from that of IELTS or TOEFL.
Duolingo English Test Preparation Tips:
Even though the exam fairly new in the arena of English language tests, there are certain best practices and strategies you can follow to achieve the desired Duolingo English Test score. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the Duolingo English test:-
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Acquaint Yourself with the Test and its Rules
While this might seem obvious, acquainting yourself with the test and its rules is an important part of the Duolingo English test preparation. There should be no surprises when you appear for the final test as this might make you nervous. To prevent this from happening, you must know how the test is scored and what are the rules that need to be followed.
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Scoring Pattern: The overall score for Duolingo ranges between 10 – 160. Unlike IELTS, Duolingo does not test you separately for reading, writing, listening, and speaking, but combines these elements for their sub-scores that are:
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Literacy: ability to read and write
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Comprehension: ability to listen and read
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Conversation: ability to speak and listen
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Production: ability to write and speak
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Rules: When you prepare for the Duolingo test you need to be aware of the rules that are mentioned on their official website such as being alone and quiet in a well-lit room, not communicating with anyone else while you take the test, not leaving the test window of your browser, etc. It is recommended to take practice tests under the exam conditions, so you will be well acquainted with the conditions during the actual test.
It is also recommended that you soundly understand the Duolingo English Test pattern. As this will help to set a direction for your Duolingo test preparation.
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Analyse Your English Language Strengths and Weaknesses
One can be more proficient as an English speaker than as a writer, and vice versa. And so, one must recognize their strengths and weaknesses and focus on the latter during the Duolingo test preparation.
One of the most effective ways to analyse your strong and weak areas could be by taking a mock test. This diagnostic test can help you understand where do you stand currently with respect to English language skills.
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Create a Study Plan
To ace this English test, you need to create an effective Duolingo exam preparation plan. Begin early and don’t wait for the last minute to prepare for the Duolingo English test as this will make you anxious and nervous thereby hampering your result. Take time out to hone each language skill equally and spare extra time for sections where you need more attention. It is also important to plan in advance and build a study schedule. We shouldn’t leave all the Duolingo preparation tasks for the last day.
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Take the Sample Test
Aside from referring to Duolingo test preparation materials the best way to familiarise and prepare for the Duolingo test is by taking the official sample test. Although the official sample test’s duration is much shorter – eight minutes – and the scores less accurate, it will still familiarise you with the kind of questions that will appear in the real test. Moreover, the sample test is free of cost and is the best method for Duolingo English test preparation as you can take the test as many times as you like.
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Have Fun while Studying
Your preparation does not have to be all textual and grammatical, you can also have fun while you prepare for the Duolingo English test by watching English movies, documentaries and TV shows to understand the use of language in different settings, and improving your communication skills.
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Create the Right Environment
Since it is an online test that can be taken anytime and from anywhere, an important part of Duolingo test preparation is creating the right environment that is quiet and conducive. Your room needs to be well-lit, you need to have reliable internet connection, and your laptop or computer needs to have a functioning camera, microphone, and speakers. It is also important for you to keep your passport and government ID handy while taking the test.
SUGGESTED READ: Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL
In conclusion, a basic preparation routine isn’t enough to ace the Duolingo English Test, we must also know what to expect from the test and familiarize ourselves with test-taking strategies. The aforementioned preparation techniques will help students remain calm and collected while taking the test, thereby improving their scores considerably. Lately there has been a rise in the universities accepting Duolingo test, achieving a stellar score will help your profile stand out during the application process.
