Duolingo Exam Pattern 2026: Latest Updates, Question Types, Scoring, Tips

The Duolingo exam pattern is a 1-hour test divided into 3 parts:

• 5 minutes for setup and ID verification,
• 45 minutes of adaptive questions, and
• 10 minutes of open-ended speaking and writing.

Effective from July 1, 2025, the DET test pattern was updated with major changes to Interactive Listening and Interactive Speaking.

Interactive Listening now starts with a Listen and Complete task, where you hear a scenario once and fill in 3-4 blanks. This is followed by 5-6 Listen and Respond questions and a summarisation task. You get 6 minutes and 30 seconds to answer all questions before the summarisation, plus 75 seconds for each summary. There are 2 Interactive Listening conversations on the test.

Interactive Speaking will replace Listen, Then Speak, and the Read Aloud task is removed. You will answer 6-8 questions in a simulated conversation with an animated character, with 35 seconds to record each response. The questions adapt to your previous answers and contribute to both your overall score and your speaking subscore.

The total test time remains 60 minutes, the fee stays $59 (₹5,300), and scores remain on a 10-160 scale. Minimum waiting time between tasks has been removed, and you now receive separate subscores for speaking, writing, reading, and listening.

Click Here to Register for Duolingo English Test

Duolingo Exam Pattern 2026: Question Types

The Duolingo English Test questions are multimedia (text, audio, images). They are designed to test your literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production skills. There is no fixed number of questions in each type. Here's a breakdown of common question types:

The sections below give details of each of the question types in the Duolingo English Test:

Read and Select

Read and Select asks you to answer, “Is this a real English word?” You will need to read each word and decide if it is an actual word in English.

Tips:

• Always select either YES or NO. Skipped answers will be marked incorrect.
• There can be any number of real words, so do not worry if the count varies.
• Read carefully, as some words may look real but have small differences from actual English words.

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks asks you to “Complete the sentence with the correct word.” In this question, you will read a sentence with one unfinished word, then fill in the blanks to complete the word.

Tips:

• Read the entire sentence before focusing on the incomplete word.
• Use context clues.

Read and Complete

Read and Complete asks you to “Type the missing letters to complete the text below.” For this question type, you will fill in the blanks of unfinished words in a passage.

Tips:

• Read the entire passage before focusing on individual words.
• Use context clues.

Listen and Type

Listen and Type asks you to “Type the statement that you hear.” In this task, you will listen to a person speaking a statement and then transcribe what you hear.

Tip: Type exactly what you hear first. Replay the statement and compare it to your writing to check your response.

Complete the Sentences

Complete the Sentences asks you to “Select the best option for each missing word.” In this task, you will see a passage with several blank spaces and select a word to complete the sentence.

Tips:

• Read the entire sentence and use context clues to choose the best word.
• If you have time, read the full passage after completing all sentences to double-check your answers.

Complete the Passage

Complete the Passage asks you to “Select the best sentence to fill in the blank.” In this task, you will see 2 sections of a passage with a missing sentence in the middle.

Tips:

• Some parts of the passage may be familiar from the Complete the Sentences question.
• Read each section carefully, especially any new material.
• Focus on the sentences before and after the blank, especially if you are unsure.

Highlight the Answer

Highlight the Answer asks you to “Click and drag the text to highlight the answer to the question below.” You will see a question on screen, then you will find and highlight the answer within the passage.

Tip: Be precise and thorough when selecting your answer. Highlight only what directly answers the question, avoiding too much or too little.

Identify the Idea

Identify the Idea asks you to “Select the idea that is expressed in the passage.” In this task, you will select an idea from the list that best represents what you read in the passage.

Tip: Read all the options carefully. Some may seem partially relevant, but choose the one that best describes the text.

Title the Passage

Title the Passage asks you “Select the best title of the passage.” You will select a title from a list of given options.

Tip: Read and consider all the options carefully. Some may seem somewhat relevant, but choose the one that best fits the entire text.

Listen and Complete

Listen and Complete asks you to listen to a scenario and answer 3-4 fill-in-the-blank questions about it.

Tips:

• Write only what is needed to answer the question.
• Do not include extra or irrelevant information.
• If you cannot write more, try paraphrasing your response.

Listen and Respond

Read about the situation. Pick the best option to start the conversation. Select the best response each time it’s your turn.

Tips:

• Notice the relationship between the speakers. Think about how two students or a teacher and a student would talk.
• Do not worry if your response is not perfect. The test will guide you, and you can still answer the next questions correctly.
• Pay attention to the correct answers to follow the conversation.
• Remember the main ideas for the summary task that comes next.

Summarise the Conversation

Summarise the conversation you just had in 75 seconds.

Tips:

• Write a complete paragraph, not bullet points.
• Start with the basic facts: who spoke, what the conversation was about, and the outcome.
• Use it all the time to summarise the task in detail.
• If possible, check your spelling and grammar before submitting.

Write About the Photo

Write About the Photo asks you to “Write a description of the image below for 1 minute.” For this question type, you will see an image on the screen, and you will write a description of the image.

Tips:

• Do more than just label the image; describe it in detail.
• The directions ask for one complete sentence, but try to write more. A longer response can show more of your skills.

Interactive Writing

Interactive Writing asks you to:

• Step 1: Respond to a prompt in writing. (5 minutes)
• Step 2: Answer prompts based on your previous response in writing. (3 minutes)

Tips:

• Use all the time available to make your responses as strong as possible.
• Write as much as you can. Just make sure your English is clear, and the content is relevant to the topic.
• Follow good writing practices to develop your responses.

Interactive Speaking

In Interactive Speaking, you will answer 6-8 questions in a conversation with an animated character.

Tips:

• Pay close attention to follow-up prompts, as they refer to your previous response.
• Speak at a natural pace and pronounce your words clearly with proper intonation.

Speak About the Photo

Speak About the Photo asks you to “Speak about the image below for 90 seconds.” In this task, you will talk about an image that appears on the screen.

Notes:

• The directions and image will appear for 20 seconds before the test moves to the recording screen. You can also click NEXT to go there early.
• You must speak for at least 30 seconds before you can continue.

Tips:

• Describe the image as if you are explaining it to someone who cannot see it.
• Speak at a natural pace and pronounce your words clearly.
• Do not worry if you make a small mistake. Just correct yourself and continue speaking.

Read, Then Speak

Read, Then Speak asks you to “Speak about the topic below for 90 seconds.” For this question type, you will see a written prompt. You will speak your response to this prompt for at least 30 seconds.

Tips:

• Speak naturally and clearly, and try to use a variety of words and sentence structures.
• Make sure your answer covers every part of the question.

Duolingo English Test Writing and Speaking

In the Writing and Speaking section of the test, you will be given a prompt and asked to respond at length. The Speaking Sample allows for a 1-3 minute response, and the Writing Sample allows for a 3-5 minute response. For each, directions appear for 30 seconds before recording begins. During this time, you will read and consider the prompt and prepare to respond.

You will be able to review your responses to these samples after the test has concluded. Institutions that receive your results will also receive these samples.

Duolingo English Test Writing Sample

The Writing Sample asks you to “Write about the topic below for 5 minutes.” You will read a written prompt and write about it for at least 3 minutes.

Tips:

• Practice good writing habits. Use different sentence structures and vocabulary, and present your ideas with clear and logical transitions.
• Leave some time at the end to check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• The topic of your response will be shared with the institutions that receive your results, so make sure you stay on topic.
• Think of this task as a short essay. Institutions may use your Writing Sample to learn more about your writing skills.

Duolingo English Test Speaking Sample

The Speaking Sample asks you to “Speak about the topic below for 3 minutes.” You will read a written prompt and speak at length about it.

Tips:

• Do not look at the timer because it can distract you and affect your speaking.
• Keep talking until the NEXT button turns blue. If you can, continue speaking a little longer. Then finish your answer naturally and click NEXT to submit.
• Practice speaking on a topic for 1-3 minutes before the test so you get used to the required length.
• The Speaking Sample is recorded as a video. The institutions that receive your scores will be able to see you during this response.
• The topic of your response will also be shared with them. Make sure you stay on topic and try your best to show your speaking skills.

Duolingo Exam Pattern Scoring

The Duolingo English Test uses a 10-160 scoring scale that reflects your overall English ability across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your score comes mainly from the adaptive section, while the Writing and Speaking samples are unscored but shared with institutions.

Learn More About: DET Results & Scoring