Best Time to Start Preparing for the Duolingo English Test
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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.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
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.
Related Pages:
| Duolingo Eligibility | How to Register for Duolingo | How to Make Duolingo Slot Booking? |
| Duolingo Exam Pattern | Duolingo Speaking Topics | Duolingo English Test Sample Papers |
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.
Q: What is a good Duolingo score out of 160?
A Duolingo English Test score of 120 or above is generally considered good. However, the best Duolingo score depends on the university requirements to which you are applying.
A score equal to or above 120 often meets the English proficiency requirements of many universities and institutions worldwide. It may be possible that some institutions might have higher requirements.
Q: How to prepare for Duolingo exam at home without tuitions?
To prepare for the Duolingo English Test at home, here are some tips that can helpful for you:
- The official Duolingo website/app offers a free practice test that gives you a sample of the question format and scoring system. It will help you to do self evaluation.
- Consume English media like news articles, novels, or blogs regularly, watch English movies & TV shows, podcasts and audiobooks to improve vocabulory.
- Practice writing regularly in English, such as start a journal, and write short stories.
- Attempt mock tests, or communicate with friends to practice speaking English under pressure.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- 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
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
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