It is always advisable to start your exam preparation early so you get enough time to cover the topics easily. If you are planning to study abroad and going to take the DET test in the upcoming days or weeks, then covering exam topics is important, so you can get a good score.
You must have heard about the Duolingo English Test if you are planning to study abroad or aiming to improve your English proficiency. More than 5000 International programs around the world accept the Duolingo English Test score to offer admissions. Do you know what is the best time to start preparing for the Duolingo English test? Or how much time do you need to cover the DET syllabus properly?
Well, the answer to this question depends on the university’s admission timeline and your English proficiency, The DET (Duolingo English Test) is becoming increasingly popular among international students, college applicants and job seekers. In this blog, we will help you to understand the right time to prepare for DET test.
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What is Duolingo English Test?
Before diving into the preparation timeline, it's important to understand what the DET entails. The full form of DET is Duolingo English Test, which is a digital-only English Proficiency Test. Student can take this test by sitting comfortably at their home. The test assesses your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through an adaptive online format. It takes about an hour to complete and provides a quick and accurate measure of your English proficiency.
Preparation Timeline
Traditional test preparation can involve long hours of study, expensive resources and classes, and rote memorization. That isn't necessary for the Duolingo English Test preparation. The DET is designed to show your real proficiency level in English, so intense studying right before the test will not change your score. Your score improves as your English proficiency improves.
In fact, you will not get a valid score if you memorize answers or plagiarize responses. On the other hand, this is an adaptive test which means the difficulty level increases after every answer.
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When to Start Preparing for the Duolingo English Test?
The best time to start preparing for the Duolingo English Test depends on your university application timeline, your existing English proficiency level and how much time you can dedicate to preparation. While there's no strict schedule, dedicating a consistent amount of time each week to immerse yourself in English and practice the skills tested by the DET would be beneficial.
Instead of test preparation, think of embarking on a journey to “test readiness.” Rather than memorizing test questions or strategies, we suggest this “test readiness timeline” to help optimize your Duolingo English Test experience.
These time frames are only suggestions, the best part about the DET is that it offers a lot of flexibility for students. Go at your own pace when preparing for the test. There are no fixed appointments, so if you are on a tight deadline, you can literally sign up for the DET and take it immediately.
Preparation Before Test Day
- Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types by watching a video walkthrough and exploring the DET’s YouTube channel. Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the test and are aware of the consequences of breaking the rules.
- Create a free DET account to access resources like the Official Guide for Test Takers, which provides insights into question types and scoring. Enhance your English fluency and pronunciation by listening to various accents, reading regularly, and participating in speaking exercises. Additionally, listening to podcasts, music, movies, and other media can boost your spoken language skills.
- Practice English daily by reading literature, following English news, and taking advantage of the free practice test on the DET website.
- Take the free practice test on the DET website as many times as you want to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you'll encounter on the actual test.
Exam Day Tips
- Allocate at least one uninterrupted hour for the test and inform others not to disturb you during this time.
- Avoid wearing headphones to ensure your face and ears are clearly visible, which is necessary for test certification.
- Read and understand all test-taking rules carefully to ensure the security and validity of your test.
Things to Keep in Mind During Test
- Stay focused on the screen throughout the test as it is proctored, and avoid distractions or looking away.
- Monitor the time limit displayed for each question and aim to provide comprehensive responses before time expires.
- Complete the ungraded video interview and writing sample at the end of the graded portion. These are shared alongside your scores to universities, so do your best to showcase yourself and your English ability.
What to Do After Test?
- Ensure that your test has been fully uploaded before exiting the testing window.
- Await your results, which will be sent by DET within two days of completing the test.
- Once you receive certified results, you can send them to multiple institutions at no extra cost. Celebrate your achievement!
Remember, the goal is to genuinely improve your English skills, which will benefit the test and your academic and professional future. So, start your preparation today and take a step toward achieving your global aspirations! Good luck!
About the Author
The Duolingo English Test is a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and institutions. The test is available online, on demand. You don’t have to make an appointment or travel to a test centre—you can take the test from your home via a computer and webcam. The test is administered using computer adaptive technology, meaning that the question difficulty adapts to each test taker. The test also integrates a video interview and writing sample, which is sent to an institution along with your proficiency score when you send your results. The entire test experience takes just under an hour. Test results are certified within two days, and they can be shared with an unlimited number of institutions.
- Know the exam pattern.
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus.
- Solve previous year question papers.
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems.
- Revise regularly.
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well.
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