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TPS - Duolingo English Test (DET) Prep
Yes, the Duolingo English Test (DET) is now an accepted test at a number of Universities for entry. It is bound to grow in popularity and is a very worthy choice. However, before rushing into it as a choice please look over this page to see if it is suitable for you.
We are a tutorial site and not the official site. For registration or problems please go to the DET official site
Our only purpose here is to provide a clearer more compact summary of the test and provide a few opinions. Just to start with then, TPS views the Duolingo test as a very legitimate option, particularly for those who are frustrated with having to pay hundred for tests that seem to have their hands in your pocket every time you register o need their official test practice materials.
But.... you need to know what it is and what yo need to be careful of
We are a tutorial site and not the official site. For registration or problems please go to the DET official site
Our only purpose here is to provide a clearer more compact summary of the test and provide a few opinions. Just to start with then, TPS views the Duolingo test as a very legitimate option, particularly for those who are frustrated with having to pay hundred for tests that seem to have their hands in your pocket every time you register o need their official test practice materials.
But.... you need to know what it is and what yo need to be careful of
Features
Duolingo test is a new more affordable option that is being accepted at a number of universities around the world. It is a worthwhile alternative but you need to understand its features:
1. Computer algorithm assessed
The whole scored sections of the test is marked based on an algorithm. There are sections when this does not seem problematic and this is becoming standard practice with many other tests such as PTE. However, in other areas that require judgment you may feel wary. DET does provide assurance that accents will not be punished and that hasty judgments will not be made. It does provide research to show high reliability and unlike other tests, they make this research very available for others on their website
I quote from the Duo Lingo site link
"...internal consistency reliability coefficients are both 0.96, and the test-retest reliability coefficient is 0.84 with only a small effect size in score change. These results suggest that the certified DET scores are very reliable"
This indicates that with two runs of the same test taker, it will be the same score at about 96%. When a person retests, the person will get the same score about 86% of the time. These are good figures if they hold up in subsequent research.
Reliability of a test is one issue but perhaps the more important issue is how predictively valid the DET is. In pain English, that means how well does this test tell you or the University that you can handle studying and handling university English demands?
Well, that remains to be seen, but there is little evidence IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CanTEST or CAEL is any more a valid predictive tool for university success. So, for that issue, you may need to judge for yourself. At least the DET leaves part of that assessment to the university, since it will weigh part of your suitability in the unscored sections.
From research done on IELTS, for example by Researchers from the University of Western Ontario
"The results of this study show that IELTS scores are at the minimum just as valid as TOEFL scores for predicting academic success, which may help for decisions being made about which test scores to accept. However, it must be noted that it is still a weak correlation. English skills alone are only part of the big picture however, and a small one at that it seems. "
[Gagen, T. (2019) The Predictive Validity of IELTS Scores: A Meta-Analysis p. 51]
2. Adaptive
It is called an adaptive test taking because the questions and difficulty levels will follow an algorithm so two test takers would have different questions. It adapts to:
1. Whether you get the question right or not
2. How you have been faring on other questions
3. Whether or not it has decided your level
3. Random and repeated questions
Questions are arranged much like the way your music playlist works when you decide to shuffle it. You are given tests partly randomly but with an algorithm taking into account how you answered previous questions.
A type of question may be repeated from up to 9 times in a test. Just like your music playlist! And you never know when it is coming. There is nothing to stop the test program from repeating it back to back, although it is not likely to occur often.
4. No fixed length of test
There are no fixed length or number of questions. It just carries on until it feels confident with your level so it works until it gets a score
5. Questions are short and random
Unlike many other tests, the questions that involve reading and listening go by fast. Questions are administered randomly and sub-skills can vary. The test gives generally short tasks to do in a short time without long passages and extended tasks. No section is takes more than 2 minutes.
6. Unique question types from all different subjects
This doesn't mean you'll get any knowledge questions from other subject areas. It is still an English test after all. It does mean you'll get words, visuals and short passages from different areas
7. Large unscored section
A huge unscored section is sent to the institution you are applying
The speaking and writing longer responses are not marked but and sent to the institution you are applying to.
1. Computer algorithm assessed
The whole scored sections of the test is marked based on an algorithm. There are sections when this does not seem problematic and this is becoming standard practice with many other tests such as PTE. However, in other areas that require judgment you may feel wary. DET does provide assurance that accents will not be punished and that hasty judgments will not be made. It does provide research to show high reliability and unlike other tests, they make this research very available for others on their website
I quote from the Duo Lingo site link
"...internal consistency reliability coefficients are both 0.96, and the test-retest reliability coefficient is 0.84 with only a small effect size in score change. These results suggest that the certified DET scores are very reliable"
This indicates that with two runs of the same test taker, it will be the same score at about 96%. When a person retests, the person will get the same score about 86% of the time. These are good figures if they hold up in subsequent research.
Reliability of a test is one issue but perhaps the more important issue is how predictively valid the DET is. In pain English, that means how well does this test tell you or the University that you can handle studying and handling university English demands?
Well, that remains to be seen, but there is little evidence IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CanTEST or CAEL is any more a valid predictive tool for university success. So, for that issue, you may need to judge for yourself. At least the DET leaves part of that assessment to the university, since it will weigh part of your suitability in the unscored sections.
From research done on IELTS, for example by Researchers from the University of Western Ontario
"The results of this study show that IELTS scores are at the minimum just as valid as TOEFL scores for predicting academic success, which may help for decisions being made about which test scores to accept. However, it must be noted that it is still a weak correlation. English skills alone are only part of the big picture however, and a small one at that it seems. "
[Gagen, T. (2019) The Predictive Validity of IELTS Scores: A Meta-Analysis p. 51]
2. Adaptive
It is called an adaptive test taking because the questions and difficulty levels will follow an algorithm so two test takers would have different questions. It adapts to:
1. Whether you get the question right or not
2. How you have been faring on other questions
3. Whether or not it has decided your level
3. Random and repeated questions
Questions are arranged much like the way your music playlist works when you decide to shuffle it. You are given tests partly randomly but with an algorithm taking into account how you answered previous questions.
A type of question may be repeated from up to 9 times in a test. Just like your music playlist! And you never know when it is coming. There is nothing to stop the test program from repeating it back to back, although it is not likely to occur often.
4. No fixed length of test
There are no fixed length or number of questions. It just carries on until it feels confident with your level so it works until it gets a score
5. Questions are short and random
Unlike many other tests, the questions that involve reading and listening go by fast. Questions are administered randomly and sub-skills can vary. The test gives generally short tasks to do in a short time without long passages and extended tasks. No section is takes more than 2 minutes.
6. Unique question types from all different subjects
This doesn't mean you'll get any knowledge questions from other subject areas. It is still an English test after all. It does mean you'll get words, visuals and short passages from different areas
7. Large unscored section
A huge unscored section is sent to the institution you are applying
The speaking and writing longer responses are not marked but and sent to the institution you are applying to.
Skills Tested
Most English proficiency tests break down sub-skills into reading writing listening and speaking. Duolingo is slightly different, combining these sub-skills and breaking them down into these categories:
- Literacy (Reading & Writing)
- Comprehension (Reading & Listening)
- Conversation (Listening & Speaking
- Production (Speaking & Writing)
Question Types, Time and number of times used
Unlike many tests, once a section is completed it moves to another section and you don't see that type of question again (ie you are done with the section and its type of question). In Duolingo you are not done with that type of question. It can be repeated up to 9 times if the algorithm of the computer needs to extend testing to derive a score. The following question types are used:
1. Adaptive Questions -
2. Video Interview & Writing Sample
See the practice test offered by Duolingo for the best and most reliable indication of the types, timing and structure. You can also see the criteria of different tests in the Duolingo Test Taker readiness page
1. Adaptive Questions -
- This is the graded section of the DET (45 minutes) and graded and selected by the Duolingo algorithm program
2. Video Interview & Writing Sample
- This section is ungraded but your responses will be sent to the institutions that receive your score. (10 minutes)
See the practice test offered by Duolingo for the best and most reliable indication of the types, timing and structure. You can also see the criteria of different tests in the Duolingo Test Taker readiness page
Types of Questions in the Duolingo English Test (DET)
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1. Read and Complete (C-test)
2. Read & Select (Yes/No questions)
3. Listen & Select (Yes/No questions)
4. Listen and Type
5. Read Aloud
6. Describe a photo (writing).
7. Describe a photo (speaking).
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8. Read, Then Write
10. Listen, Then Speak
11. Speaking Sample
12. Writing Sample
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Duolingo Scoring (and in relation to IELTS and TOEFL)
Scoring in Duolingo goes from 10-160 in 5-point increments and in 4 grouping as you can see below. The score is valid for 2 years and comes with a “can do” description statements. For more information you can link to the official website
The speaking and writing scoring systems evaluate each task based on the features listed below.
In general the grouping are:
Duolingo 10-55 60-85 90-115 120-160
TOEFL 0-25 26-61 62-96 97-120
IELTS 1.5-3.5 4-5 5.5-7 7.5-9
Or as a more precise comparison (Taken from the ETS official website TOEFL scores below IELTS band 3.5 are estimates done by TPS. Please verify)
Duolingo 10 15 20-25 30-40 45-50 55-60 65-70 75-80 85-90 95-100 105-110 115-120 125-130 135-140 145-150 155-160
IELTS 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9
TOEFL 0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20-25 26-31 32-34 35-45 46-59 60-78 79-93 94-101 102-109 110-114 115-117 118-120
The speaking and writing scoring systems evaluate each task based on the features listed below.
- Grammatical accuracy
- Grammatical complexity
- Lexical sophistication
- Lexical diversity
- Task relevance
- Length
- Fluency & acoustic features (speaking)
In general the grouping are:
Duolingo 10-55 60-85 90-115 120-160
TOEFL 0-25 26-61 62-96 97-120
IELTS 1.5-3.5 4-5 5.5-7 7.5-9
Or as a more precise comparison (Taken from the ETS official website TOEFL scores below IELTS band 3.5 are estimates done by TPS. Please verify)
Duolingo 10 15 20-25 30-40 45-50 55-60 65-70 75-80 85-90 95-100 105-110 115-120 125-130 135-140 145-150 155-160
IELTS 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9
TOEFL 0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20-25 26-31 32-34 35-45 46-59 60-78 79-93 94-101 102-109 110-114 115-117 118-120
How to register and take the DET?
Stated on the Duolingo website, a test taker can take the test anytime and anywhere (i.e., in your home) as long as you meet the technical requirements for doing the test. Just go onto the official site and follow the easy-to-read instructions.
All test registration is done online and the best place to start is on the home site of Duolingo English Test (DET). They do encourage you to take a practice test first before purchasing it. From their you are directed to payment and then a download. Easy steps right?
But here's the problem. It's up to you to check that you have the technical requirements so you may be stuck with a payment before investigating whether you actually can do the Duolingo English test (DET) at home. So, SEE IF YOU MEET THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FIRST before going through the messy time wasting business of getting a refund for your test payment. It clearly states in the FAQ statement that you my be ineligible for a refund if you "violated or did not follow any of the test rules and requirements. "
But don't worry too much. The technical requirements (stated best in this site) are not especially large and usually already met with any relatively new computer (bought within the last 3-4 years). If you are taking it within a reasonably large city, the internet connection is usually more than enough to meet the See below for specifics and refer to the DET official site under Test Requirements
All test registration is done online and the best place to start is on the home site of Duolingo English Test (DET). They do encourage you to take a practice test first before purchasing it. From their you are directed to payment and then a download. Easy steps right?
But here's the problem. It's up to you to check that you have the technical requirements so you may be stuck with a payment before investigating whether you actually can do the Duolingo English test (DET) at home. So, SEE IF YOU MEET THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FIRST before going through the messy time wasting business of getting a refund for your test payment. It clearly states in the FAQ statement that you my be ineligible for a refund if you "violated or did not follow any of the test rules and requirements. "
But don't worry too much. The technical requirements (stated best in this site) are not especially large and usually already met with any relatively new computer (bought within the last 3-4 years). If you are taking it within a reasonably large city, the internet connection is usually more than enough to meet the See below for specifics and refer to the DET official site under Test Requirements
Technical Needs to take the Duolingo English Test (DET)
The technical requirements are listed on the Duolingo website under the Duolingo test center help site. But let me briefly summarize:
1. Computer with a microphone, speakers, and front facing camera. on the top-center of monitor or screen.
2. Physical Government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport). during the test (you hold up the actual ID for the camera).
3. A reliable internet connection speed minimum of 2 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps. upload speed
4. Memory room to download the Duolingo English Test desktop app.
Most computer users meet these requirements easily but if you find internet connection a problem, try choosing a place with strong stable connection. If things go wrong during the test due to this, Duolingo will retest you. One other requirement that the website does not seem to indicate until you get to a practice test is that it requires chrome browser. If you are like me and prefer Firefox it seems for the moment you may need to use chrome.
1. Computer with a microphone, speakers, and front facing camera. on the top-center of monitor or screen.
2. Physical Government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport). during the test (you hold up the actual ID for the camera).
3. A reliable internet connection speed minimum of 2 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps. upload speed
4. Memory room to download the Duolingo English Test desktop app.
Most computer users meet these requirements easily but if you find internet connection a problem, try choosing a place with strong stable connection. If things go wrong during the test due to this, Duolingo will retest you. One other requirement that the website does not seem to indicate until you get to a practice test is that it requires chrome browser. If you are like me and prefer Firefox it seems for the moment you may need to use chrome.
Rules
There are obviously a number of rules that Duolingo have to prevent cheating. These are listed in the test center help site
In summary, use common sense. Obviously they will not allow anyone else in range of the camera, but the test user, the lighting must be good, face must be visible, no objects (including a pen, notes phones, books etc......) and no special software or apps on the screen that will help feed you answers or correct your English. You can't leave or look away. Obviously no earphones, hats or second computer monitors are allowed. I suspect this list will grow as more ingenious ways to cheat are found.
Even if you are clever enough to find some way around these rules - why? There is not much a person or device can do to help you given the speed and randomness of the test. The moment you look away from the screen or appear to be using your hand to receive notes you will be disqualified. You will be monitored to see that you are looking at the screen and not beyond it.
And what if you do get away with it. You save yourself $63 but may not have the English skills yet to cope with university. Is that worth it?
Most problems will probably occur accidentally. For example, a child might run into view of the camera or an app you thought you had cleared may still be there. You make look away in frustration or be distracted. You might have forgotten to get rid of an object in your shirt pocket, your phone might ring off in your pocket or you might unknowingly be wearing your lucky cap. So, commit yourself to having a private place with nothing showing to the camera except you and nothing near your ears or top of your head. Train yourself to not look way from the screen even briefly.
One thing DET tells you not to worry too much about is the fact that you need to look down to type answers. As DET states
"Our team of proctors and automated systems are able to tell the difference between simply looking down to type (non-touch typing) versus maintaining focus on the screen while typing (touch typing). Looking at the keyboard to type will not affect the certification decision for your test." (Duolingo English Test Help Center "How can I maintain eye contact with the screen if I have to look down to type?)
However, this you will be notified when your webcam is not at the top center of the monitor so don't even think about putting a webcam next to your computer.
In summary, use common sense. Obviously they will not allow anyone else in range of the camera, but the test user, the lighting must be good, face must be visible, no objects (including a pen, notes phones, books etc......) and no special software or apps on the screen that will help feed you answers or correct your English. You can't leave or look away. Obviously no earphones, hats or second computer monitors are allowed. I suspect this list will grow as more ingenious ways to cheat are found.
Even if you are clever enough to find some way around these rules - why? There is not much a person or device can do to help you given the speed and randomness of the test. The moment you look away from the screen or appear to be using your hand to receive notes you will be disqualified. You will be monitored to see that you are looking at the screen and not beyond it.
And what if you do get away with it. You save yourself $63 but may not have the English skills yet to cope with university. Is that worth it?
Most problems will probably occur accidentally. For example, a child might run into view of the camera or an app you thought you had cleared may still be there. You make look away in frustration or be distracted. You might have forgotten to get rid of an object in your shirt pocket, your phone might ring off in your pocket or you might unknowingly be wearing your lucky cap. So, commit yourself to having a private place with nothing showing to the camera except you and nothing near your ears or top of your head. Train yourself to not look way from the screen even briefly.
One thing DET tells you not to worry too much about is the fact that you need to look down to type answers. As DET states
"Our team of proctors and automated systems are able to tell the difference between simply looking down to type (non-touch typing) versus maintaining focus on the screen while typing (touch typing). Looking at the keyboard to type will not affect the certification decision for your test." (Duolingo English Test Help Center "How can I maintain eye contact with the screen if I have to look down to type?)
However, this you will be notified when your webcam is not at the top center of the monitor so don't even think about putting a webcam next to your computer.
Self Studying the Duolingo English Test (DET)
Self Studying the DET is a little tougher than IELTS and TOEFL since the test is new and not as much practice material exists, aside from that offered by DET. However, there is a growing number from the Test Prep crowd getting on board, especially on YouTube. Go onto the Duolingo TPS site for free practice to see what I think are the best.
Looking for a Tutor
We have skilled teachers for getting you ready for the DET with a very good track record. For availability of a tutor check out our Duolingo tutor page. TPS can provide a tutor for a 5 week program that goes through each of the test types. For more information about the structure of the program go into our Duolingo program section of our programs page