Duolingo English Test Exam Pattern
Understand the fast, convenient, and computer adaptive format of the Duolingo English Test.
Exam Pattern for Duolingo English Test
An overview of the question types in the computer adaptive test and the speaking and writing samples.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | |
|---|---|---|
Computer Adaptive | Read and Complete | Variable |
| Read and Select | Variable | |
| Listen and Select | Variable | |
| Listen and Type | Variable | |
| Read Aloud | Variable | |
| Write About the Photo | Variable | |
| Speak About the Photo | Variable | |
| Read, Then Write | Variable | |
| Read, Then Speak | Variable | |
| Listen, Then Speak | Variable | |
Speaking & Writing | Speaking Sample | 1 task |
| Writing Sample | 1 task |
About the Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a modern English proficiency assessment for today's international students and institutions. It is taken entirely online from your own computer, and the test takes only about 1 hour to complete.
A computer adaptive test
Unlike traditional tests with a fixed set of questions, the DET is a computer adaptive test (CAT). This means the difficulty of the questions changes based on your performance. If you answer correctly, the next questions become harder. If you answer incorrectly, they become easier. This allows the test to rapidly and accurately pinpoint your proficiency level.
Because it is adaptive, you won't see a fixed number of questions for each type, and you can't go back to change an answer once submitted.
The Speaking and Writing Sample
At the end of the adaptive portion, you will complete an unscored Video Interview (Speaking Sample) and Writing Sample. While these sections do not contribute to your score out of 160, they are sent directly to the institutions you apply to so they can evaluate your spontaneous communication skills.