The Duolingo English Test is an online exam that candidates take to prove their English Language proficiency. Like other conventional English proficiency tests, Duolingo English Test also tests four language skills - Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
The distinctive feature of the Duolingo test is that it is adaptive, which means the difficulty level of the test increases with every correct answer, and questions become easier if the answer is wrong.
Why the Duolingo Test?
Most traditional English language proficiency tests are difficult to schedule, require the candidate to travel to the test center, and can be relatively more expensive (over USD 200). However, the Duolingo Test can be taken online, on your computer, and costs only $49. The results are also declared within 48 hours of taking the test.
In addition, the Duolingo test also allows the candidates to showcase their proficiency in English by integrating a video interview and writing sample.
The following diagram also depicts how you can use language in various settings – Conversation, Comprehension, Literacy, and Production- an amalgamation of the four skills tested within the Duolingo Test – Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading.
Benefits of the Duolingo Test
There are multiple benefits of taking the Duolingo test:
Remote
The foremost benefit of taking the Duolingo test is that you do not have to visit the test center to take the exam. Instead, it can be taken from anywhere with an appropriate exam environment setup.
Take the test anytime
Another benefit of taking the Duolingo test is that you can schedule the test at your convenience and availability. Before registering for the test, you can select the date and test that is most convenient for you.
Cost-effective
Compared to other language tests, the Duolingo test is cost-effective and reasonable. For example, while other tests cost you over a hundred dollars, the Duolingo test costs USD 49.
Easily adaptable
The Duolingo Test is relatively easy and convenient, and you can easily register for the test and make payments. Once you are logged in to take the test, you are run through the rules and introduction, after which you're allowed to attempt it. The interface of the test is straightforward to understand and adapt to. Each section is appropriately divided and is easy to navigate through.
Quick and Effective Test Scores
The Duolingo Test scores are released within 48 hours of taking the test. The test score is detailed and bifurcated into sections. The scorecard is also convenient for the institutions that accept the test scores to analyze the candidate's performance.
It can be taken multiple times
The Duolingo Test can be taken numerous times, not only for admissions but for other purposes that require you to test your English language proficiency.
The Duolingo Test Structure
The Duolingo Test, like other tests, has Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking as the metrics for assessing language proficiency; however, the test only has two sections - Adaptive Testing and Video Interviews. The 60-minute test is conducted in one sitting and uses innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. In addition, the questions are designed in a way that they assess the candidate's critical thinking and adaptation proficiency.
Test Name | The Duolingo English Test |
Mode | Online |
Sections | 2 |
Types of Questions | Objective and Descriptive |
Duration | 60 Minutes |
Time Distribution |
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The video interview section is an innovative addition to the test and requires candidates to record their answers to open-ended questions. Candidates are required to speak for 1-3 minutes on prompts that are displayed on the screen. The selection panel of the institutes may view the recording, so the candidates are suggested to be clear and concise about their answers.
Duolingo English Test - Adaptive Test
The Adaptive Test section of the Duolingo Test is the graded section. While other proficiency tests use different sections to evaluate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, the Adaptive Test section is designed to assess single-handedly test takers' reading, writing, and listening skills.
You are allowed 45 minutes to complete the Adaptive Test section, and all the questions in this section are objective type. Duolingo is currently the only test that holds one section with varying questions that are graded. The questions in the Duolingo test's adaptive section adapt to the test taker's answers. The AI learns about the level of competency from the pattern and manner of the responses entered.
Duolingo English Test - Video Interview
The Duolingo English Test has two sections, a graded adaptive test and an ungraded video interview. The video interview is the second section of the test and is conducted after the adaptive test section is over.
The video interview lasts 10 minutes, during which you have to record your answers to open-ended questions. Finally, the section tests two of your skills, writing and speaking.
You have to face two questions from which you get to choose. For each question, you get a window of 30 seconds to select your topic. Once the choosing window is closed, you have to speak or write about the chosen topics for up to three to five minutes.
Duolingo Scores
The Duolingo test scores are accepted in over 1400+ universities worldwide, including top universities like Yale University, Cornell University, etc. The test scores are declared within 48 hours of taking the test and are valid for two years. There are five sections on the Duolingo test scorecard: Overall, Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production, all of which assess the candidate's ability to read and listen on a scale of 10 to 160.
Duolingo Test Requirement
Government ID - passport/driver’s license, etc.
Reliable internet connection
Computer
Webcam
Microphone
Speakers
A quiet, well-lit room
How to prepare
A walkthrough
The foremost thing to do before taking the test is to familiarize yourself with the test format and pattern. Go to the Duolingo test website and read about it; watch a quick video that walks you through the test and gives you some critical information on how it functions.
Sample Test
On the website, you'll find a sample test that takes only about 8 minutes to complete. This helps you understand the questions and test patterns better. Even though the test is adaptive, the sample test gives you a fair idea about the type of questions.
Familiarizing yourself with Adaptive Testing
The uniqueness of the Duolingo Test lies in the Adaptive testing feature, which means if you answer a question correctly, the next question becomes a little more challenging automatically and a little easier if you answer it wrong. Taking the sample tests could help you familiarize yourself with the concept.
Understand the question types
The website will give you insight into the types of questions the Duolingo test includes. Here are some questions that are frequently asked:
Type the missing letter to complete words in a text
Choose between real and fake English words.
Listen to a sentence and type it out correctly.
Read sentences and record yourself.
Describe an image in detail
Write short texts based on prompts.
Speak for 30 seconds based on a prompt
Speak for 1-3 minutes about a given topic
Write for 3-5 minutes about a given topic
Duolingo test official guide
The website provides access to the official test guide that helps your prepare for the test and points you in the right direction with helpful tips and strategy notes.
Speaking exercises
The test requires you to speak for 1-3 minutes about a given topic, which can be daunting for some non-native English speakers. The key is to be comfortable and know how to prepare what you're going to say quickly. To prepare for the test, talk about any topic! It could be a political situation, your favorite food, a show you love, or anything you come across. Try recording yourself speaking out loud about different topics.
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