What exactly is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test is a computer-based online exam that is an English proficiency assessment designed for international institutions and students. Access to the test is available online, and there is no need to travel to any test center, as the exam can be taken from the comfort of one's own home using a computer and a webcam.

The test is conducted to check the candidate's ability in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, similar to the traditional study abroad exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. In this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about the test, from the Duolingo English test pattern to its important dates, which will assist you in preparing better for the test. 

The test is administered via a computer-adaptive technology, which means that the difficulty level of the questions increases with every correct answer and decreases if the answer is incorrect. When the results are submitted, the test takers are also asked to go through a video interview and record their responses to open-ended questions and a writing sample, which will be sent to an institution along with the test taker's proficiency score.

The test can be taken from home, and there is no need for a prior appointment. The Duolingo test pattern is such that the entire test lasts less than an hour, and the results are announced within 48 hours, which can be shared with several institutions.

Duolingo Test Pattern

The Duolingo English test pattern is planned and designed using Data Forensics and Artificial Intelligence technology to maintain the clarity of the test. The test lasts for one hour and is administered online in one go. The questions are written in such a manner that they assess the test taker's analytical thinking and versatility. 

 

The Duolingo English test pattern is divided into two sections: adaptive testing and video interviews, and is conducted all at once within 60-minute. The first 5 minutes of the test are an introductory section that gives the test takers a quick walkthrough of the Duolingo English test setup. All the rules and requirements of the test are explained. The time duration of the Adaptive test is 45 minutes and the remaining 10 minutes is for the video interview. Let us look at the sections of the Duolingo exam pattern.

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Duolingo English Adaptive Test 

This section examines the candidates' reading, speaking, writing, and listening abilities. It is a 45-minute graded section of the Duolingo English test. This section contains all question types, which appear at random throughout the test.

The Duolingo Adaptive test scores will be assigned separately by the test provider. The test taker must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Duolingo adaptive test or risk being disqualified.

Duolingo Video Interview Test 

The second section of the test is the video interview. It is a 10-minute test in which the test taker must record their responses to open-ended questions. The test taker may be asked to talk about any given situation or to describe an image, or he or she may be given the option of selecting a topic and speaking for a few minutes. Candidates should be well prepared to answer a variety of questions.

Additionally, test takers should keep the following tips in mind while recording the video.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duolingo English Test hard?

The Duolingo English Test’s difficulty is decided by the adaptive technology.  The system learns your level and offers a greater challenge to match your ability. If you do your research and practice, you should not find it hard.

Is Duolingo English Test harder than IELTS?

There is no reason why the Duolingo English Test should be considered harder than IELTS. The adaptive nature means that you can face more difficult questions if you're able to. If you have studied you should be able to perform well enough to get the score you deserve.

What is the pass mark for Duolingo English Test?

There isn’t a specific pass mark for the Duolingo English Test.  Institutions vary in what score they require you to get to be able to be accepted on their courses. However, a score of over 120 out of 160 would generally be considered to be a good score. This places you in the Upper-Intermediate or Advanced levels of scoring.