The Duolingo English Test is a popular choice for people who need to prove their English skills for school or work. It's easier to access and cheaper than other tests like TOEFL or IELTS, and you can take it from home. But before you dive in, it’s important to be prepared. 

This guide will help you understand what to expect, how the test works, and what you should do to get ready, so you can feel confident and do your best on test day.

How Did the Duolingo English Test Begin?

Five years ago, Duolingo launched the Duolingo English Test to help students around the world access higher education more easily. The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency test designed to remove the challenges of traditional exams. 

Unlike other tests that can be expensive and difficult to schedule, the DET costs only $49 (about ₹4,000) and takes just one hour to complete, all from the comfort of your home. It's the first test of its kind, allowing students to take it anytime, anywhere. Since the test is unique, preparing for it requires a different approach than preparing for traditional exams.

How Does Traditional Test Preparation Differ From Test Readiness?

When preparing for traditional exams, students often spend hours memorizing facts, attending expensive classes, and using costly study materials. But this isn’t necessary for the Duolingo English Test. Instead of focusing on memorizing information, the test is designed to measure your real English skills. Cramming or studying hard right before the test won’t necessarily boost your score. As your English improves over time, your score will naturally get better too.

That’s why it’s important to focus on "test readiness" rather than "test prep." Unlike other exams where memorizing strategies might help, the Duolingo Exam evaluates your overall language abilities. To prepare, it’s more about being comfortable with the English language in different situations rather than memorizing facts.

What Should You Do a Few Weeks Before the Test?

In the weeks leading up to the Duolingo Test, your primary focus should be on familiarizing yourself with the format of the test and practicing English regularly. Here are some steps to help you get started:

• Watch Video Walkthroughs: You can begin by watching a quick video walkthrough of the test to get an overview of how it works. Additionally, Duolingo’s YouTube channel offers a variety of useful videos to help you understand the test better.
• Visit the Official Guide for Test Takers: Duolingo test practice offers an official Test Readiness page, which includes a detailed guide on the test experience, scoring system, and the types of questions you’ll encounter. This guide is a great way to understand what to expect when you take the test.
• Practice English Daily: Make it a habit to practice your English every day, incorporating all language skills such as reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You can also check out the Duolingo Blog for resources on how to practice English in your everyday life.
• Take the Free Practice Test: Duolingo offers a free practice test that you can take as many times as you’d like. This will help you get used to the question types and the format of the actual test.

How Should You Prepare the Day Before the Test?

The day before your test, your focus should be on setting up your environment and ensuring that everything is ready for test day. Here’s what you can do:

• Choose a quiet space with good lighting where you can focus without interruptions. Your space should be comfortable but free from distractions.
• Make sure you have all the equipment and documents you’ll need. This includes a government-issued ID, a computer, and a stable internet connection.
• To avoid last-minute stress, purchase the test ahead of time. When the time comes to take the test, all you’ll need to do is click “Start Test.”
• Since the Duolingo English Test can be taken anytime, choose a time of day when you’ll feel most alert. Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, select the time that best fits your personal rhythm.

What Should You Do On Test Day?

On the day of the test, focus on making sure you’re mentally prepared and that your environment is set up for success. Here are the steps to take:

• Make sure you have at least one full hour where you won’t be disturbed. Let anyone who shares your space know that you are taking a test and cannot be interrupted during that time. You can even print out a sign for your door that says "Do Not Disturb."
• Avoid wearing headphones, as it will interfere with the certification of your test, as your face and ears need to be fully visible.
• Review the test rules carefully to ensure you read all of the rules for taking the test so that you can ensure your test will be valid and secure. The test system will also remind you of these rules right before you begin.
• Right before you start the test, spend some time practicing English. This could involve speaking with a friend, watching an English-language show, listening to a podcast, or reading an article. Doing this will help get you in the right frame of mind.

How Can You Stay Focused During the Test?

Staying focused during the test is critical, as each test is proctored and closely monitored. Here’s what you need to remember:

• You’ll need to maintain focus on the test screen at all times. It’s normal to want to look away when thinking, but it’s important to stay focused to ensure that the test is certified.
• The duolingo english test practice consists of one section that includes a series of adaptive questions across all English skills. These exercises are designed to be short and predictive, meaning you won’t need to spend hours reading long passages or writing essays.
• Each question has a time limit displayed on the screen. Do your best to write or speak as much as possible before the time runs out.
• After completing the graded section, you’ll move on to an ungraded video interview and writing sample. These will be shared with universities alongside your test scores, so be sure to present yourself well and demonstrate your language skills.

What Happens After the Test?

Once you’ve completed the test, you can expect to receive your results quickly, but there are still a few things you should do immediately after finishing:

• Before exiting the test window, make sure that your test has been fully uploaded. You’ll see a notification once the upload is complete.
• Congratulations! You’ve completed the test. You should receive your results within two days.
• After receiving your results, you can send them to as many institutions as you’d like—for free! This is a great benefit of the Duolingo English Test, as most other standardized tests charge extra for sending additional score reports.

How Can You Continue Improving After the Test?

Even after taking the Duolingo practice test, it's important to keep working on your English skills. Whether or not you get the score you want, learning a language is a process that takes time. Keep practicing, and remember that your English will get better as you go.

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With GlobalGrads, you’ll be well-prepared for your next steps, even after taking the Duolingo English Test.