How to Prepare for Duolingo English Test: Key Tips by Experts

With the increase in the number of top global institutes accepting the Duolingo English Test scores for admission purposes, the popularity of this English proficiency test has soared significantly. 

Compared to other English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS, the Duolingo English Test is convenient, reasonably priced, and has a shorter test duration. The Duolingo English Test duration is an hour and can be taken from the comfort of your home. 

Lately, expert overseas education consultants have started recommending the Duolingo English Test to students to score high and showcase their English proficiency effectively. 

So, does your chosen international institute and the program accept Duolingo exam scores? And, are you wondering how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test? 

Look no further!

Read this blog for expert tips by MSM Unify study abroad consultants to prepare well for the Duolingo English Test, and get closer to attaining your study-abroad dreams.

1. Study the exam pattern

Before addressing the question- how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test, it is important to understand the exam pattern. Knowing the syllabus, assessing the pattern, and understanding the difficulty level of questions are paramount before beginning the exam preparation.

The strategy for exam preparation can be devised meticulously after you are well-versed in the exam pattern. By studying the exam pattern, you will identify your strengths and weaknesses, areas that need to be focused on, and the strategy you need to follow for exam preparation.  

2. Take a sample test

Taking a sample Duolingo exam will not cost you a penny or major effort and time. So, take a sample test to get a brief idea about the actual exam.

This teaser will help you identify the question pattern, the skills this test aims to assess, and the time available for every question. Taking a sample test will thus help you kickstart your exam preparation.  

3. Know the question types

The question types for the Duolingo English Test are quite different from its counterparts, including TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, etc. With sufficient practice, you will get the hang of the question types. 

Nonetheless, below are a few question types for your reference.

• Choose between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ English words. The question can be either in the form of text or audio.
• Type the missing letters to complete words in the given text.
• Listen to a sentence and type it correctly.
• Describe an image in detail either through speaking or writing.
• Record yourself while reading sentences aloud.
• Speak for one to three minutes on a given topic.

Please note: There are more question types that you will learn about while preparing for the test.

4. Get acquainted with the CAT

Here, CAT refers to Computer Adaptive Testing. The Duolingo English Test is a Computer Adaptive Test. 

But, what does it mean?

To put it briefly, when you answer a question correctly in the test, a more challenging question will appear next. Conversely, if you give a wrong answer, the next question will be easier as compared to the one you just answered. 

This way, as the name suggests, the Computer Adaptive Test will automatically adapt to your English language proficiency and assess your skills efficiently. So, at any point, if you feel that the test is becoming more difficult, it implies you have performed well up till now!

Universities & Countries Accepting Duolingo

5. Practice speaking in English

As mentioned above, the Duolingo English Test analyzes your speaking skills, by letting you speak on a given topic for 1 to 3 minutes. Do you find it too simple? 

Try doing it right away, and many of us might struggle to speak flawlessly for even a complete minute. But, there’s no reason to get demotivated. On the contrary, you need to realize the importance of practicing for the Speaking test.

To practice, ask your friend or anyone at home to give you a random topic. 

Stand in front of the mirror and try speaking on the topic. 

Initially, you might falter, but with enough practice, you are sure to get better at this exercise. 

Also, to master your English speaking skills, record yourself, and listen to it later. This will help you assess your progress, and make improvements faster. 

6. Practice, and practice more!

The key to acing the Duolingo English Test is practicing as much as you can. Keep taking the practice tests intermittently to assess your progress. Make a note of weaker areas, and practice them more. 

Also, you may get in touch with experts for proper guidance on test preparation and scoring high on the actual test.

7. Leverage the power of passive learning

Are you still wondering, how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test in a better way?

Well, this key tip can do wonders, and help you score high on the test!

Preparing for this exam is not just about active learning viz. sticking to the exam syllabus, reading course material, practicing sample tests, etc. Passive learning can help you go the extra mile and score higher.

Passive learning implies indulging in activities to improve your written and spoken English. 

For this purpose, you can watch English movies, listen to podcasts, and read English newspapers and books. To start with, you can pick up anything that interests you, including novels, fiction, literature, etc.

Furthermore, you can just put on your headphones, and groove to some English songs. This activity can help you learn new words, get the hang of the accent, and burn some calories at the same time!

To improve your writing skills, write blogs or express your thoughts on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Writing without apprehension is essential to boost your confidence and improve your writing skills. By practicing enough, you are sure to learn better words and ways to write. 

8. Use the Duolingo app

Install the Duolingo app on your smartphone and practice English on the go! The app is very convenient to use, and you can start from the elementary level. 

With this app, you can get over the fear of being judged, and practice at your pace and convenience. Continuous usage of this app will help you improve your skills and become proficient in English.

9. Learn a new word every day

Building a strong vocabulary is essential for scoring well on the Duolingo English Test, and performing well in academics while studying abroad. For building a robust vocabulary, you may use a relevant app, and make a note of new words that you come across while reading, listening to podcasts, or watching videos.

Also, do not overwhelm yourself with learning several new words every day. This will confuse you further!

Instead, focus on learning a new word every day. 

Understand its meaning and usage in different contexts. Also, make it a point to use the word while speaking or writing. This way, you will steadily build your vocabulary without stressing about it.

10. Familiarize yourself with the test-day rules

As the Duolingo English Test need not be attempted at the test center, you need to be more particular about making the arrangements yourself. 

Ensure to take the test in a well-lit room, with no disturbance and a steady internet connection. Also, ensure you have a computer system with an inbuilt front webcam, a microphone, and a speaker. 

While taking the actual test:

• You need to be alone in the  (well-lit) room.
• Your ears and face should be visible and uncovered.
• You cannot use earphones or headphones.
• You cannot have books, study materials, a phone, or even a blank paper in your room.
• You must not look away from the screen for a considerable period.
• You can’t leave the web browser or your test window for any reason during the test duration.

Also, keep a government-issued ID card (Passport, driver’s license, etc.) ready with you during the actual test.

Duolingo vs IELTS

Through this blog, MSM Unify overseas education consultants have shared critical tips on preparing for the Duolingo English Test. After reading this blog, if you want personalized guidance on how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test or any process regarding studying abroad, speak to expert MSM Unify counselors today. Good luck!