Breaking Down the Duolingo English Test Sections: What to Expect?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an affordable and convenient digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency assessment accepted by more than 5000 universities and millions of students globally. This online exam assesses candidates’ English language proficiency, offering the flexibility of remote testing from any location worldwide, provided the test taker meets the necessary technical requirements.

Operating as a computer adaptive test, the DET adjusts the difficulty of questions based on each test taker’s performance. The dynamic nature of the test ensures a unique experience for each user, with question types appearing in a non-sequential order. While the test duration is a concise one hour, its ability to adapt question difficulty provides a robust evaluation of the test taker’s proficiency.

Introduction to Duolingo English Test Sections

The Duolingo English Test is divided into three distinct sections.

Section 1 – Introduction and Onboarding

The first section, which is of five minutes, is the introduction and onboarding process. Here, candidates are prompted to ensure the smooth functioning of their computer’s camera, speakers, and microphone, submit a government-issued photo ID for identification, and familiarize themselves with the essential test rules and requirements.

Section 2- Adaptive Test

Following the onboarding, comes the next important section – the adaptive test, which spans approximately 45 minutes. This section dynamically measures English skills through a series of different question types which are administered randomly. What sets this test apart is its adaptive nature, where the difficulty of questions evolves based on the candidate’s real-time performance. 

Section 3 – Writing Sample and Speaking Sample

The next section involves a Writing Sample and a Speaking Sample, demanding around 10 minutes of the candidate’s time. During this segment, individuals respond at length to a provided prompt, demonstrating both writing and speaking abilities. The Speaking Sample allows for a 1–3 minute response, while the Writing Sample permits a 3–5 minute response. Notably, candidates have the opportunity to review their responses after the test, and institutions receiving results also access these samples. It’s important to note that the Speaking Sample is considered an unscored question.

Interactive Listening Questions

The DET also introduced an innovative development in English testing known as Interactive Listening, wherein test-takers participate in AI-simulated conversations. This unique question format aims to evaluate essential proficiency skills applicable to university environments by replicating both student-to-student and student-and-professor interactions, thereby preparing individuals for success in academic pursuits. 

Interactive Listening is a multi-step question type contributing to the overall score, including all four subscores. The Duolingo English Test incorporates two Interactive Listening scenarios, each comprising two parts. Please find below information about the question types expected in Interactive Listening for effectively navigating this section.

Interactive Listening Question Types
Listen and Respond	Asks to read a “scene-setting scenario and participate in an interaction.” Candidates will need to “select the best response” to continue the conversation. Consists of 5-6 “Listen and Respond” questions per Interactive listening scenarios with a time limit of 4 minutes for completion. Follow these simple directions for a smooth experience: Read about the situation. Pick the best option to start the conversation. Select the best response each time it’s your turn.
Summarize the Conversation	Asks to write a summary of the “Listen and Respond conversation”.Allotted 75 seconds.Only 1 question per Interactive listening scenario.

In navigating through these sections, candidates undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their English proficiency, making the Duolingo English Test a nuanced and reflective measure of language skills. One of the best ways to learn about the structure of the test is to watch the video walkthrough given below.

The Duolingo English Test Question Types

The Duolingo English Test does not have a set number of questions. The test ends when the grading engine is confident in a test taker’s score. The table below provides an overview of the question types, allotted time, and resources accessed during the Duolingo English Test, for students who aspire to study abroad: 

Question Type	Time	What it Measures	Question type explained
Read and Complete	3 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Fill in the blank, complete the passage
Read and Select	1 min	Literacy, Comprehension	Identify real words (audio), yes/no vocabulary (audio)
Listen and Select	1.5 min	Conversation, Comprehension	Identify real words (audio), yes/no vocabulary (audio)
Listen and Type	1 min	Conversation, Comprehension	Write the statement you just heard
Read Aloud	20 secs	Conversation, Comprehension	Speak the written statement
Write About the Photo	1 min	Literacy, Production	Describe the image (written)
Speak About the Photo	1.5 mins	Conversation, Production	Describe the image (aural)
Read, Then Write	5 mins	Literacy, Production	Open-response writing
Read, Then Speak	1.5 mins	Conversation, Production	Open-response speaking
Video Sample	3 mins	Reading, Speaking	Extended speaking, video interview
Listen, Then Speak	1.5 mins	Conversation, Production	Open-response speaking
Complete the Sentences	7-8 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Identify the correct word in the sentence passage
Complete the Passage	7-8 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Identify the correct sentence to complete the passage
Highlight the Answer	7-8 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Highlight the relevant text
Identify the Idea	7-8 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Find a main idea in the passage
Title the Passage	7-8 mins	Literacy, Comprehension	Select the best passage title
Writing Sample	7-8 mins	Literacy, Production	Extended writing

Related Reads

Duolingo Exam Preparation: How to Score Better?	Updated List of Duolingo Test Centres in India
What is a Good Duolingo Score?	List of Universities that Accept Duolingo Test
Duolingo Score Chart: Interpreting the Duolingo Score Scale	Best Books to Prepare for Duolingo English Test

FAQs

In conclusion, the Duolingo English Test offers a unique and dynamic assessment of English proficiency, comprising an adaptive test, a Writing Sample, a Speaking Sample, and innovative Interactive Listening questions. The test’s adaptive nature ensures a personalized evaluation, while the Writing and Speaking Samples provide a comprehensive showcase of language skills. With the addition of Interactive Listening, the DET remains at the forefront of English proficiency testing, preparing candidates for success in academic pursuits. Aspiring test-takers are encouraged to explore the diverse question types and prepare thoroughly for a nuanced examination experience.

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