How To Prepare For Duolingo in 2025 (Complete Strategy)

Are you planning to take the DET in 2024? If yes, now is the perfect time to explore how to prepare for the Duolingo exam. 

There’s no need to go through several Duolingo preparation materials or enroll in expensive online courses. Fortunately, this guide is everything you’ll need. 

We have covered top Duolingo preparation tips and strategies, including other details like the exam pattern and important resources that will help you ace the Duolingo exam. 

Let’s get started.

What is the Duolingo exam?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a modern language proficiency exam that more than 5,000 universities now officially accept. It is gaining popularity among students for being a convenient, quick, and cost-effective exam option. 

With a cost of only $59–about ₹ 4,900–it is the most affordable option compared to other proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. 

This remote exam delivers quick results within 48 hours, allowing you to proceed with your application immediately.  

Now, let’s move on to the nature of the exam. 

It uses an adaptive testing approach. This means there’s no fixed set of questions; instead, the test questions adjust their difficulty based on your responses in real-time.  

Generally, you’ll have three sections in the Duolingo English Test: 

• Introduction (5 minutes)
• Adaptive test (45 minutes)
• Video writing and speaking section (10 minutes)

Let us look into each section briefly. 

Introduction

The Duolingo English test starts with the introduction section, where you’ll receive all the instructions and rules. You must have a working microphone, speaker, and camera to start the exam and submit your government-issued passport-size photo to verify your identity. 

Adaptive test

After the introduction, the next section is the ‘Adaptive test,’ which is approximately 45 minutes. The difficulty of the questions depends on your previous responses. 

The adaptive test evaluates your language in four key areas.

Listening

You must listen to a prompt or a short passage and answer multiple-choice questions. 

Reading

You must read passages, answer comprehension questions, and fill in the missing parts of sentences. 

Writing

You have to write a few sentences describing a photo or write on a certain topic. 

Speaking

You must speak or discuss a certain topic or describe a picture.

This format is designed to test your writing and speaking abilities, preparing you for the last and final section of the exam. 

Writing and speaking sample

This section has open-ended questions, which means you’ll have to submit your answers in a written or video format.

Source

To participate in this section, you’ll need a computer with a front-facing camera, a microphone, speakers, and a reliable internet connection. 

Here’s a breakdown of what typically happens in this section:

Writing sample (3–5 minutes)

In the writing sample section of the test, you’ll be presented with a prompt that will last between 3 to 5 minutes. It can be either a question or a statement. You’ll have to write an essay or a short paragraph, depending on the complexity of the prompt, all within a tight time frame. 

Source

This section tests your skills to organize ideas, express opinions, and use correct grammar and vocabulary.

Speaking sample (1–3 minutes)

You’ll respond to a verbal prompt in the speaking section, which lasts between 1 to 3 minutes. It can be a question, a statement, or a short passage to read aloud.

Your response can take the form of a spoken essay, a personal reflection, or a detailed discussion on the topic. 

This section evaluates your ability to articulate ideas clearly and your fluency in pronunciation and vocabulary.

Scoring of the DET exam

In the Duolingo English test, scoring ranges from 10 to 160 points. Your score report will feature an overall score along with four different subscores.

This overall score is not the cumulative of the individual subscores (like speaking, writing, etc.). It is calculated based on various factors, such as grammar, vocabulary, literacy, relevance to the task, and pronunciation. 

Let us look into these four important components in brief.

• Literacy
• Conversation
• Comprehension
• Production

Source

Literacy

This subscore indicates your reading and writing skills. It shows how well you can understand written English texts and how effectively you can express yourself in writing. So, it measures your ability to grasp written information and communicate your ideas clearly through writing.

Conversation

This subscore focuses on your listening and speaking abilities. 

It indicates how well you can understand spoken English, such as conversations or lectures, and how fluently and accurately you can communicate verbally. It also shows how well you did on tasks that challenged you to listen attentively and respond.

Comprehension

This subscore is an evaluation of your listening and reading abilities. For example, it shows how well you can understand spoken English, such as in conversations or presentations, and written English, such as articles or essays. If you can comprehend spoken and written English effectively, your score in this subscore will be higher.

Production

This subscore is an evaluation of your writing and speaking skills. It shows how well you can express yourself through writing in essays or respond fluently to see how you can communicate verbally. If you can write clearly and speak fluently, your score in this subscore will likely be higher.

With this scoring system, the Duolingo test measures where you stand compared to the language skills required for academic and professional success. 

Its scoring system also aligns with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference), an international standard for describing language ability. 

For example, a DET score range of 125-160 is equivalent to an IELTS band of 7.0-8.0 and a TOEFL iBT score of 95-120. It’s considered an excellent score that proves you have a good command of English that is adequate for engaging in higher-level professional activities in English-speaking contexts.

This correlation between scores establishes Duolingo as a highly standardized and globally accepted English proficiency test.

Now, let’s compare DET scores to those of the other two language proficiency exams, IELTS and TOEFL.

Source

This comparison indicates that institutions view Duolingo scores as comparable to traditional English proficiency tests, which many universities and institutions worldwide accept. 

Good scores stem from thorough preparation, and fortunately, like TOEFL and IELTS, Duolingo offers numerous free resources that can help your Duolingo exam preparation.

Next, we have listed some result-oriented preparation strategies for you. 

Keep reading to find out. 

Duolingo exam preparation strategy 2024

There are many ways to practice and level up your Duolingo preparation. We have listed some hacks and tips below:

Understand the adaptive test section thoroughly

The adaptive test section is the biggest part of the exam. It has questions that require spoken or written responses, such as describing a photo, summarizing a reading, or speaking about a prompt. 

The key to succeeding in this section is to exceed the minimum word or time limits. For example, if you’re asked to speak for 30 to 90 seconds, use the full 90 seconds.  

The questions in this section test your language skills more comprehensively, and you can also demonstrate a broader range of grammar and vocabulary, which is crucial for scoring above 120.  

Broaden your vocabulary

Poor vocabulary can restrict your ability to express ideas clearly. This can negatively impact your score.  

That’s why it’s important to develop your vocabulary by reading magazines, books, online articles, and the best resource, the Oxford Dictionary.

You can learn 3-5 new words every day to improve your vocabulary. This continuous exposure and review will help you build a strong linguistic foundation, which is critical for the Duolingo test.

Exercise your listening abilities

Watch English documentaries, web series, or dramas to get accustomed to different accents and pronunciations. 

One of the best ways to do this is to find videos on vocabulary pronunciation and language lessons on YouTube.

Practice writing and speaking

For the writing part of the test, practice descriptive exercises by writing short, creative sentences about objects around you. 

You can choose topics randomly and record yourself speaking for one to two minutes. Review these recordings and identify areas for improvement. Regular practice will boost your confidence and fluency.

 Use free online resources

You can gain a detailed, step-by-step understanding of what to expect in the DET exam from the official Duolingo English test guide. This resource offers insights into the test format with sample questions from every section helping you prepare effectively for the exam. 

Take practice tests

The official Duolingo site offers a free sample test, which, although shorter, will give you a feel of the actual exam conditions. Repeated practice will help you identify your strengths and areas needing improvement.

Source 

Understand the test rules

Know the DET rules well to avoid surprises on test day. Remember, the test environment is monitored, and failure to adhere to the rules, such as not wearing earphones or ensuring a quiet environment, could mean retaking the exam. You can also find Duolingo’s test rules on their official page. 

After you finish, wait until your test has been completely uploaded before leaving the Duolingo English Test desktop app. You will see a notification on the screen when your results have been uploaded. 

Decide a suitable preparation timeline

Develop a study schedule that balances reading, writing, listening, and speaking. As the test approaches, intensify your preparations to ensure you’re ready on the exam day.

Advantages of giving a Duolingo exam

The Duolingo English Test offers several benefits, making it an attractive option for students who want to prove their English proficiency. From its global acceptance to its convenience and affordability, many reasons make the Duolingo exam a strategic choice.

Globally recognized

Firstly, the Duolingo English Test is widely accepted worldwide, including in the UK, Australia, the USA, and Canada. It’s recognized as a reliable exam, as are IELTS and TOEFL.

Convenience and accessibility

You can take this exam from the comfort of your home at any time of year, which makes it one of the most flexible exams out of all other alternatives. It’s a reliable test that’s accessible to students who are differently abled and also provides them with special accommodations, giving equal chances to all. 

Affordability

The Duolingo English Test is the cheapest standardized English test. Any students from any economic background can sign up for the exam without any financial strain.

Efficient and quick results

The entire Duolingo test, including a 10-minute interview, takes only 60 minutes to complete. It’s the shortest exam compared to other exams that can last several hours. Moreover, you get test results within 48 hours, which can be a great advantage if you approach the application deadlines quickly.

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Next, we will cover some frequently asked questions about the DET exam. 

FAQs

1. How do I start preparing for Duolingo?

Begin by knowing how the test is structured and mining various question species from different resources on Duolingo’s official website. The first step involves creating a solid foundation to assist in effective preparation.

2. What preparation material should I use for the Duolingo exam?

There are several Duolingo preparation materials available on the web. Nevertheless, the official Duolingo preparation materials (which include sample tests and the preparation guide) are more credible than other sources of preparation.

3. How much time is required to prepare for Duolingo?

If you begin from scratch, it can usually take you about 4-6 weeks with proper review and practice to prepare for the Duolingo exam. Nevertheless, if you are used to taking such tests often, it can take less than four weeks.

4. How do you prepare for the Duolingo exam at home?

The first step to preparing for the Duolingo exam at home is a disciplined schedule and a strong study plan. Then, you can look for reliable online resources, give practice tests, and engage in exercises like reading, listening, and speaking.

5. How long does it take to prepare for the Duolingo test for a newbie?

This all depends on how fast you learn and how good your English is to begin with. Still, if you are a beginner, dedicate one to two months of regular studying, and this will be enough to prepare for the Duolingo test.

6. Where can I find effective Duolingo preparation materials?

The best place to find good resources is directly from Duolingo’s website. These resources are very similar to those used in the actual examination, thus instilling confidence in your approach to the test.

7. Can practicing at home be enough to do well in the Duolingo test?

Yes, practicing at home can be entirely sufficient. However, to cover all aspects of the test, consult other reliable resources such as books and online videos from the app’s testing service by Duolingo.