The Duolingo English Test Do’s & Don’ts: Tips for Test Takers to Avoid Disqualification

For students aspiring to study abroad, proficiency in English is a crucial requirement. The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a popular choice accepted by over 5700+ universities across the world for assessing English language skills due to its convenience and accessibility. However, success on the DET isn’t just about honing your language skills. You must also follow the test rules carefully to ensure your results are valid.

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Simple mistakes can lead to your test being disqualified, causing unnecessary stress and delays. To avoid these issues, it's important to understand the most common rules that students accidentally break:

1. Looking away from the screen: The DET forbids outside help, and proctors ensure compliance. If a test taker frequently looks away, proctors cannot verify whether the person is reading notes, using a device, or receiving off-camera help. This is a common mistake, as many naturally glance around while thinking—especially under pressure. Others may be distracted by movement or instinctively check the time.
2. Improper Camera Setup: The DET requires a second camera, usually a smartphone, to monitor your testing environment. Incorrect positioning can create blind spots, making it hard for proctors to ensure test security. Many test takers struggle with proper setup or don’t realize the camera must record continuously. Technical issues, like disconnection, can also cause problems.
3. Receiving External Assistance: Whether it’s another person speaking to you, writing notes for you, or guiding you in any way, receiving assistance immediately invalidates your test. This rule is often broken when family or friends mistakenly enter the test environment, or try to offer assistance. Even whispering or speaking in another language can lead to a disqualification.
4. Copying responses from another source: Your writing responses must be your own original work, created in real time during the test. Copying from study materials, online sources, or past exams defeats the test's purpose. Memorizing answers or using notes and pre-written text can also be considered as copying.
5. Running other programs in the background: The DET strictly prohibits other programs from running in the background during your test. Many people aren’t aware and forget to close certain apps that run in the background automatically.

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Consequences of Breaking the Rules

Breaking test rules can lead to serious consequences, including the immediate invalidation of your results, which may affect your academic or professional goals. In some cases, violations can result in a ban from retaking the DET, limiting future opportunities. Additionally, any suspicious activity may be reported to the institutions or organizations receiving your scores.

But don’t stress! With the right preparation, you can easily avoid these mistakes and ensure a smooth testing experience. The key is to understand the rules in advance and take steps to follow them carefully during the exam. Staying focused, setting up your testing environment properly, and managing your time well will help you complete the test without issues.

Important tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep your eyes on the screen: Avoid looking away from the screen during your test. Stay focused on your screen and minimize distractions in your testing space. Remember, it's natural to look at your keyboard while typing; this is acceptable.
2. Set Up Your Secondary Camera Correctly: Ensure that the second camera is positioned properly to provide a full view of your surroundings and remains stable throughout the test.
3. Test in a Private, Quiet Space: No one else should be in the room while you're testing. Inform family or roommates in advance to avoid interruptions, as even accidental entries could result in invalidation.
4. Use Only Allowed Tools: Do not use dictionaries, translators, grammar-checking software, or browser extensions during the test. Keep all unauthorized tools closed to prevent violations.
5. Submit Authentic Responses: All responses must be original and created in real time. Avoid memorized answers, pre-written notes, or copying from any source.
6. Never Impersonate or Seek Assistance: Taking the test for someone else or receiving help in any form is a serious violation. Ensure you complete the test independently, without outside influence.
7. Close All Background Applications: Before starting the test, restart your computer and close any unnecessary programs. Background apps, such as messaging services or grammar-checking tools, can interfere with the test and may trigger security concerns. Make sure only the test application is running to avoid any issues.

By dedicating time to legitimate preparation, individuals can approach the exam with confidence, knowing their results reflect their true language skills. Understanding the rules, creating a distraction-free testing environment, and practicing under test conditions will help ensure a smooth and fair experience. Following these guidelines not only upholds the integrity of the exam but also increases the chances of achieving a score that accurately represents one's abilities. With careful preparation and adherence to the rules, test takers can maximize their performance and take a significant step toward their academic and professional goals.