Has Duolingo English Test pattern changed in 2025? Knowing the latest test pattern is the first step towards DET preparation. It is not only an affordable and shorter English proficiency test but also a popular alternative to traditional English proficiency exams like IELTS and PTE. Students must understand key details of Duolingo English Test pattern and syllabus to achieve highest scores on English fluency test.
Overall, Duolingo English Test pattern remains similar to last year. However, exam conducting body has introduced multiple updates to enhance test’s reliability and effectiveness. Use of AI and introducing a secondary camera requirement to enhance test security are a few of them. DET exam is an exam that is designed to be taken online anywhere. After making a Duolingo Test Booking, students can take test at their convenience.
Students can book DET exam online through official Duolingo website and take it from comfort of their home. As mentioned by Duolingo English Test pattern, duration of this exam is 1 hour. It is divided into two parts. First 5 minutes is an introduction that walks the test takers through the test rules and requirements.
- Duolingo English Test Pattern 2025 Highlights
- Duolingo Exam Pattern 2025
- Duolingo English Exam Syllabus 2025
- Duolingo Adaptive Test Syllabus
Duolingo English Test Pattern 2025 Highlights
| Test Name |
Duolingo English Test |
| Mode |
Online |
| Sections |
2 |
| Types of Questions |
Objective + Descriptive |
| Duration |
60 minutes |
| Duolingo Test Pattern |
|
| Duolingo English Test Fee for Indians |
USD 70 (INR 6,000 Approximately) |
Duolingo English Test measures following four major abilities in test taker:
| Sections | Ability Analysed |
|---|---|
| Literacy | Ability to read and write |
| Comprehension | Ability to listen and read |
| Conversation | Ability to speak and listen |
| Production | Ability to write and speak |
Latest Changes in Duolingo English Test 2025
Check out some latest changes introduced in Duolingo English Test. Have a look on these changes before taking test.
- DET Introduced Additional Subscore Feature: Duolingo English Test provides individual subscores for Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Aim of this feature is to provide a more detailed assessment of candidates' language proficiency.
- Secondary Camera Required in DET: Students need two cameras for taking Duolingo English Test (DET). The extra camera records your computer screen and keyboard while you take test, adding another level of monitoring
- Use of AI in Duolingo English Test: Duolingo English Test is an adaptive English test that increases or decreases difficulty level based on your answers.
With integration of AI, aim of DET are to offer:
- Adaptive testing for accurate assessment
- Fast and convenient test-taking
- Unique and secure test questions
- Assessment of real-world language skills
- Precise score estimation on practice tests
- Robust ID verification
Commonly asked questions
You will see an image on the test screen. You get 20 seconds to look at it and prepare. Then the mic opens. Talk about what you see. You have to describe everything you noticed. You must speak for 30 to 90 seconds. Dont stop talking. Keep describing until the timer cuts you.
It is the last section. Takes about 10 minutes. It is ungraded, so marks don't count. But colleges see it. They check your personality. You pick a topic and talk for 1 to 3 minutes. Be natural. Smile.
Duolingo Exam Pattern 2025
DET is scored on a scale from 10 - 160. There are three parts of Duolingo English Test pattern. All these parts are designed to monitor English language proficiency of candidate in all aspects. Difficulty level is in no particular order. You may encounter any kind of questions, easy or difficult, first.
Once you begin test, you’ll be guided through three different sections:
| Sections of Duolingo English Test |
Exam Duration |
|---|---|
| Introduction |
5 minutes |
| Adaptive test (Graded) |
45 minutes |
| Writing and speaking sample (Ungraded) |
10 minutes |
Section 1: DET Introduction and Onboarding
- Ensure your computer is working fine including its camera, microphone and has an updated operating system.
- Upload your government-issued photo ID.
- Review test rules and requirements.
Section 2: Adaptive Test
- Read and Complete
- Read and Select
- Listen and Select
- Listen and Type
- Read Aloud
- Write About Photo
- Speak About Photo
- Read Then Write
- Read Then Speak
- Listen Then Speak
- Complete Sentences
- Complete Passage
- Highlight Answer
- Identify Idea
- Title Passage
Section 3: Video Interview, Writing and Speaking Test
- Describe an image
- Speak about a given situation
- Speak on a topic for a few minutes
Commonly asked questions
Once you obtain your Duolingo English Test score, the same will remain valid for a period of two years. This is standard, most high stakes tests have a two year validity period. Your expired result will still be visible on your homepage after two years but you won't be able to share it or see its certificate. Please note that the test score's validity may also depend on the specific requirements which a university would have set. It may be possible that a few institutions accept old scores, whereas some may need you to be holding current scores.
Make sure that you watch the 5-minute introduction as it will help you get acquainted wit the rules and requirements of the Duolingo English Test.
Here are the reasons why you should not avoid this introduction:
- Understanding the Test Format
- Technical Requirements and Setup
- Test-Taking Strategies
- Familiarizing Yourself with the Interface.
All these activities will be done in just five minutes of introduction. Make sure that you follow the rules and guidelines strictly or else your test may get cancelled or Duolingo may also invalidate your score.
The DET introduced some minor changes in 2025 focusing on test security and accessibility. The core question types and the overall adaptive testing experience remain largely the same. Always check official DET website for current format details.
Duolingo English Exam Syllabus 2025
Complete online 1 hour test is divided into 3 different parts. The introduction, Computer Adaptive Test and Video Writing and speaking sample. Below we have mentioned in detail each of the parts of the Duolingo English Test syllabus.
Introduction
The 5-minute introduction walks the test taker through the test rules and requirements. As for the test requirements, you need to have a valid government ID to register for Duolingo English Test. Also, one needs to have the required computer set up that includes a working computer/laptop, reliable internet, a front-facing camera, a microphone, speakers, and a well-lit room. Also, candidates need to follow the rules and guidelines strictly while taking the test, or Duolingo can either cancel the test or invalidate your score or the test taker can be permanently banned from the Duolingo English Test.
Adaptive test (Graded)
- This is the most important part of the Duolingo English test as it includes a series of different questions that evaluate the candidate's English skills.
- The 45-minute section analyses the English skills through short questions
- The difficulty level of the questions changes according to the performance of the test taker
Video Writing and Speaking Sample (Ungraded)
It includes open-ended prompts that are shared with institutions alongside your score. The 10-minute section includes 2 prompts out of which the candidate has to answer one.
- You will be given 30 seconds to choose the prompt
- 1-3 minutes are there to attempt the video-speaking sample
- 3 to 5 minutes are dedicated to the writing sample
- Test takers are given time to review their video samples and also write sample answers before submission
Commonly asked questions
You can not attempt DET on your mobile phone or a tablet. Test requires a desktop or laptop computer with a functioning camera and microphone hardware. This is a strict hardware requirement.
DET test does not have a formal fixed syllabus. It assesses your overall command of English, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It uses adaptive technology so the questions change based on your performance level.
No science books needed. Topics are general. Like hobbies, family, or travel. Maybe talk about a favorite movie. It is about your life. Just know common words. Be ready to explain your opinions.
Duolingo Adaptive Test Syllabus
The Duolingo Adaptive test lasts 45 minutes and analyses a candidate's English language skills with the help of a series of unfamiliar question types. The exam questions are randomly administered and the difficulty level of the questions will keep getting altered on the basis of how you perform. This part won't have any fixed number of questions and as soon as the grading engine is satisfied with your marks or scores, the test will be over.
The table below lists the types of questions which will be asked in the adaptive test along with the areas they measure and time limit provided to answer.
| Questions Type |
Subscores |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Read and complete |
Literacy, Comprehension |
3 min |
| Read and select |
Literacy, Comprehension |
1 min |
| Listen and select |
Comprehension, Conversation |
1.5 min |
| Listen and types |
Comprehension, Conversation |
1 min |
| Read aloud |
Comprehension, Conversation |
20 sec |
| Write about photo |
Production, Literacy |
1 min |
| Speak about photo |
Production, Conversation |
1 - 1.5 min |
| Read and write |
Conversation, Production |
0.5 - 1.5 min |
| Listen and speak |
Conversation, Production |
0.5 - 1.5 min |
Although the exact number of questions that are going to be asked is not defined but one can know the type of questions that are going to be asked in the Duolingo English Test pattern.
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Hello Priya. Obtaining a good DET score can help you in getting admission into your desired educational institution. The desired test scores are decided by the universities as part of their admission criteria. A score of 100 falls in the Upper-Intermediate (85-120) category. It implies that one can
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