Because we designed the DET to assess your real English proficiency, there’s no special trick or expensive class that will improve your score—it improves as your English proficiency improves. And that’s how it should be!
That said, because you can take the DET online from anywhere in the world, it does look and feel a little different from traditional tests. So we recommend test takers familiarize themselves with this modern exam format. And the DET Practice Test is a great way to do that! It contains the same question types, and offers the same adaptive experience, as the certified test.
We're always working to make the DET practice test as helpful as possible. These 3 improvements ensure that all of our test takers are ready to go on exam day!
You'll see a huge variety of questions
The Duolingo English Test is computer adaptive, which means that the question sequence and difficulty changes for each test taker and test session—your answers determine the difficulty of the question that comes next. This system is made possible by a test item bank, which is a diverse collection of test questions designed to assess various language skills at a range of difficulty levels, ensuring a unique and personalized testing experience for each individual.
There are two main benefits to adaptive testing. First, because adaptive exams hone in on your proficiency more quickly than fixed form tests, the exam is much shorter—you can take the DET in 60 minutes or less, as opposed to more traditional exams that take multiple hours.
Second, computer adaptive testing can actually make tests more secure. The DET’s item bank is huge — we’re talking over 10,000 test questions! Because adaptive tests administer items based on individual performance, each test taker receives a unique set of questions. That means it’s extremely difficult for test takers to leak test content.
On the certified test, the large item bank enhances digital security; on the practice test, it means you can take it over and over, without seeing the same questions. So it isn’t just one test, it’s unlimited tests. For free!
Your score shouldn't surprise you
At the end of the practice test, you’ll receive an estimated score range, which can help you decide whether you're ready to take the certified test. We've aligned the practice test’s scoring algorithm more closely with the certified test, so we can provide you with a narrower and more precise estimated score range.
You can really take it anywhere
The practice test is now available on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer, so you can prepare to take the DET no matter where you are. This flexibility allows you to seamlessly integrate test preparation into your daily routine, whether you're at home, commuting, or taking a break from work.
The ease of accessing the practice test on your phone not only saves time, it also encourages more frequent and consistent engagement with the material. As a result, you'll experience a deeper understanding of the test format and question types, so you’ll know when you’re ready to take the certified test and achieve your desired score!
Be ready to test your best
The practice test is one of the most useful ways to prepare for the Duolingo English Test. By making it more like the certified test, it helps you get ready for the real thing.
We hope you make the most of this new opportunity to prepare for the Duolingo English Test using the device that suits you best. Our goal is to help you succeed and achieve the best possible results. We also recommend checking our test readiness page for additional testing tips and resources. Happy practicing!
