Prepare for the Duolingo English Test (DET): Sample Questions

The DET, or Duolingo English Test, is a widely used digital-first English proficiency test that international students take to demonstrate their language skills. The test evaluates multiple language competencies, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking, providing a comprehensive assessment of the test-taker's English proficiency. Compared to other English proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL, the DET can be taken online from a laptop or computer at any time, making it highly convenient and accessible for those pursuing higher education abroad. The DET takes only one hour to complete, and the test-taker can receive their results within two days, making it a fast option.

The DET is a unique computer adaptive test that tailors its sequence of questions and difficulty level to each individual test taker based on their skill set and fluency. Unlike other tests, the DET does not group similar questions together and is designed to be intuitive, reducing the likelihood of question repetition. This comprehensive test dynamically adjusts its difficulty level to assess a student's proficiency level thoroughly, resulting in a mix of easy and challenging questions. Furthermore, the number of questions on the test is not fixed, and the grading engine will conclude the test as soon as it has gained confidence in the test taker's ability.

The Duolingo English Test is accepted as an English language proficiency standard by thousands of universities and colleges worldwide. Additionally, test-takers can send their scores to an unlimited number of institutions at no additional cost, making it even more beneficial.

Duolingo English Test Format

The Duolingo English Test Pattern is structured to measure a test taker's English language skills effectively. The test comprises three main sections: introduction and onboarding, adaptive test, and writing and speaking samples.

• During the introduction and onboarding phase, which takes approximately five minutes, test takers need to ensure that their computer's camera, speakers, and microphone are functioning correctly. They must also submit their government-issued photo ID and review the test's rules and requirements.
• The adaptive test, which takes approximately 45 minutes, measures a test taker's English skills through a series of different question types. The questions are administered randomly, and the difficulty level adapts based on the test taker's performance. All the questions in this section are scored.
• The writing and speaking samples take approximately 10 minutes, and a test taker will be given a prompt to respond to at length. The speaking sample allows for a 1-3 minute response, and the writing sample allows for a 3-5 minute response. The responses will be scored, and the test taker will have the opportunity to review them after the test's conclusion. Institutions that receive the test taker's results will also receive these samples.

Overall, the DET structure is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of a test taker's English language proficiency.

Practice Unlimited Times with a Sample Test on the Duolingo English Test Website

The DET website offers a free online practice test for individuals who wish to prepare for the Duolingo English Test. By taking this practice test, test takers can familiarize themselves with the test's content and question types, and are provided with a live simulation of the actual test experience. The mock test is available for unlimited attempts, allowing students to keep practicing until they feel confident. The practice test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and the website provides an estimated score to assess one's standing.

However, it is important to note that the DET practice test is much shorter than the actual exam and is not proctored. As a result, the estimated score obtained from the practice test is not as precise as the actual test score.

Understanding Duolingo English Test’s Question Types

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is designed to measure different subscores, which are comprehension, conversation, literacy, and production. The test comprises several question types, each assessing different aspects of language proficiency. Below is a table displaying the types of questions, the allotted time, and what is being accessed: