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What is the Duolingo English Test?

IELTS is the Duolingo English Test. It evaluates a range of language skills, including speaking, listening, writing, and reading. The test may be taken from any location with an internet connection and is entirely online. The test is given on the dependable Duolingo platform, which is renowned for its language-learning programs. It includes a number of activities and challenges to gauge a person's proficiency with the English language. The Duolingo English Test is becoming more and more well-liked as a reliable alternative for demonstrating English proficiency when applying to universities and academic programs thanks to its ease of use, accessibility, and growing acceptability among educational institutions worldwide.

It is a viable alternative to traditional standardized English tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS. The test assesses several language abilities, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking.The test is fully online and may be taken from any location with an internet connection. It is managed via the Duolingo platform, which is well-known for its language-learning courses. Test participants must complete a series of activities and exercises designed to assess their English language competence.The Duolingo English Test has grown in popularity as a credible choice for showing English competence for admission to colleges and other academic programs because of its simplicity, accessibility, and rising acceptance by educational institutions worldwide.

Some popular study destinations that accept Duolingo scores are:

  • The USA
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Ireland

How to prepare for the Duolingo English test?

Duolingo English Test can help you greatly improve your performance and enhance your chances of getting a better score. Here are some pointers to help you plan efficiently.

  • Understand the Test Structure: Familiarize yourself with the sections, question types, and time limits of the Duolingo English Test. This will help you develop a study plan and allocate appropriate time to each section.
  • Use Official Resources: Utilize the official Duolingo English Test practice materials available on their website. These resources are specifically designed to help you become familiar with the test format and question types.
  • Create a Study Schedule: Establish a study schedule that allows for regular practice and review. Consistency is key to improving your English language skills and test performance.
  • Seek Feedback: If possible, seek feedback from teachers, tutors, or native English speakers. They can provide valuable insights and help you improve your language skills, particularly in speaking and writing.
  • Stay Motivated and Positive: Maintaining a positive mindset and staying motivated throughout your preparation is crucial. Recognize your progress, celebrate small achievements, and focus on continuous improvement.
  • Focus on Test Strategies: Simulate Test Conditions: When taking practice tests, try to recreate the actual test environment as closely as possible. Minimize distractions, time yourself, and practice under similar conditions to build familiarity and reduce test anxiety.

Requirements for the Duolingo English Test

  • A valid passport or a driving licence
  • A valid government id
  • A stable internet connection
  • A computer with a front camera, microphone and speakers.

How to take the Duolingo English Test

You will need a computer with a good internet connection and a front-facing camera to take the Duolingo English Test. The full exam is given online, and the proctors will evaluate your recording to confirm that you are following the test requirements. As a result, you must be in a well-lit room with your computer's video camera, microphone, and speakers turned on. Prior to beginning the exam, Mac users will be required to allow permission to record their computer screen and access their keyboard. This step is required to maintain the test-taking process's integrity and to track your activities during the exam. For Mac users, prior to starting the exam, you will be prompted to grant permission to record your computer screen and access your keyboard. This step is necessary to ensure the integrity of the test-taking process and to monitor your activity during the exam.

The Duolingo English Test takes about one hour to complete. It’s broken down into three segments:

  • Setup
  • Adaptive test
  • Video interview

SET UP -  Candidates will be provided with a five-minute setup period before the test begins. This time is allocated to ensure that candidates can properly configure and verify their system requirements before starting the test. It allows candidates to check their computer settings, test their microphone and webcam, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth testing experience. 

ADAPTIVE TEST - In an adaptive test, the difficulty level of the questions adapts based on the candidate's responses. The test initially presents questions of moderate difficulty, and depending on how well the candidate performs, the subsequent questions become easier or more challenging. This adaptive approach allows for a more precise assessment of the candidate's proficiency level. During the adaptive test, the candidate will encounter tasks related to reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These tasks may include reading passages with associated questions, listening to audio clips or conversations and answering related questions, recording spoken responses to prompts, and composing written responses to given prompts. 

TYPES OF QUESTIONS

  1. Reading: The Duolingo English Test presents the applicant with challenges that measure their ability to identify English words and fill in missing words within texts. Here's an abridged version: The applicant will be expected to read a certain line or passage and choose the words they feel are in English in some areas of the test. They must correctly identify and mark the English terms. The candidate may come across paragraphs with missing words or blanks as the test advances. As the test progresses, the candidate may encounter passages with missing words or blanks. They are then given a timed opportunity to fill in the missing words within these passages. It is important for the candidate to complete the task within the given time limit, as the screen will move forward automatically once the time is up. These tasks are designed to evaluate the candidate's vocabulary recognition, comprehension, and ability to complete sentences or passages with appropriate words. It is crucial to manage time effectively and respond promptly to ensure completion of these tasks within the allocated time frame. 
  • Listening: During the Duolingo English Test, candidates are presented with tasks that assess their listening skills. Here's a paraphrased description: In one part of the test, candidates are required to listen to sentences and identify the English words within them. They need to carefully listen to the sentences and select the words that are in English. This task evaluates their ability to distinguish and recognize English vocabulary within spoken sentences. Subsequently, the test progresses to sentences that are spoken in English. Candidates are required to listen to these English sentences and accurately type them out in English. This task assesses their listening comprehension as well as their ability to transcribe spoken English accurately. It is important for candidates to actively listen, pay attention to the words being spoken, and accurately type them out in English. This portion of the test evaluates their listening skills, vocabulary recognition, and transcription accuracy.
  • Writing: Candidates are given a photograph and tasked with observing the image carefully. They need to analyze the content, context, or details of the photo and then write a concise description using one or two sentences. This task evaluates their ability to comprehend visual information and express their observations in English effectively. The candidate's written description should capture the essence of the photo and convey relevant information or impressions within the given sentence limit. It is important to provide clear and concise descriptions that showcase their language proficiency and descriptive skills. 
  • Speaking: TCandidates will listen to audio recordings that contain prompts or questions, and they will be required to speak out their answers in response. After listening to the prompt, they are given an additional 20 seconds to replay the audio recording if needed and then record their spoken response. This task assesses their ability to comprehend spoken English and express themselves verbally. Additionally, there is a part of the test where the candidate is shown a picture for a duration of 20 seconds. After observing the picture, they are expected to speak about it. This task evaluates their ability to describe visual content, provide details, and express their thoughts or observations within the given time frame. 

VIDEO INTERVIEW

The last part of the test is a video interview. This section consists of ten minutes. This part is ungraded and the candidate has to answer open-ended questions. 

  1. The candidate must ensure clear audio.
  2. The candidate must sit in a way that they are in the centre of the camera frame.
  3. The candidate must be confident and clear.
Different between DULINGO and IELTS
DUOLINGO
IELTS
10
1.5
15
2
20-25
2.5
30-40
3
45-50
3.5
55-60
4
65-70
4.5
75-80
5
85-90
5.5
95-100
6
100-105
6.5
105-110
7
115-120
7.5
125-130
8
145-150
8.5
155-160
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