Commonly Broken Rules on the DET: What Test Takers Should Avoid
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Preparing for a study abroad program often entails demonstrating proficiency in the English language as a part of the application process. As more individuals seek to expand their horizons and pursue international academic opportunities, the Duolingo English Test (DET) emerges as a reliable tool to fulfil these aspirations. As a digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency test, it offers the flexibility to be taken anytime and anywhere.
Designed with convenience, speed, affordability, and trust in mind, the DET is accepted by over 4500 universities and millions of students worldwide. The results curated by DET offer a holistic assessment of the test taker’s English skills which includes the overall score, subscores, as well as writing and speaking samples. Above all, the results can be shared with an unlimited number of institutions at no additional cost.
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Duolingo acknowledges the significance of reliable and secure test results for both test takers and institutions, prioritising the integrity of the Duolingo English Test. Given the unique administration method of the test, innovative security protocols have been implemented. As a result, the Duolingo English Test incorporates a range of advanced security measures, so that both test takers and institutions can have full confidence in the accuracy and authenticity of the results.
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Important Rules to Know and Follow for the DET
For many individuals, the Duolingo English Test marks their initial experience of taking a high-stakes digital test from the comfort of their own home, rather than at a test centre. This testing approach comes with specific regulations designed to uphold the integrity of each test session. Regrettably, some test takers may not receive their results on the first attempt, due to unintentional rule violations. Below is a set of rules that an aspirant should be well aware of before taking the test.
- Avoid using someone else's name or identification to attempt the test and that the ID card is clear and legible.
- Ensure that you are in a well-lit, quiet room by yourself, no one should walk into your room or be in the room with you throughout the entire duration of the test
- Your ears should be visible and uncovered, and you cannot be using any external devices.
- The use of headphones or earphones is prohibited.
- Please keep your camera and microphone enabled throughout the test.
- Ensure that your face is clearly visible and not covered.
- No outside materials are allowed, including mobile devices, notes, or textbooks
- Writing utensils and paper are not allowed for note-taking purposes, and you should not make notes at any point during the test.
- Do not use a second monitor during the test.
- Maintain your focus on the screen and keep your eyes directed towards it. Avoid looking in other directions or around the room frequently.
- Refrain from utilising any predictive text method.
- Do not navigate away from the test window on the app under any circumstances.
Keeping these fundamental yet crucial guidelines in mind is a must while appearing for the Duolingo English Test to ensure you get a valid test score.
Tips for making sure that rules are not broken on the DET
Ensuring compliance with the rules on the DET (Duolingo English Test) is vital for a fair and accurate assessment. Here are some helpful tips to prevent rule violations:
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Maintain your focus on the screen
As you are conducting the test at a location of your choice, each session is proctored to ensure that you are not receiving assistance from external resources. Therefore, avoid looking away from your computer. While it is natural to glance up when contemplating or searching for the right words, it is important to remember to keep your focus on the question as you provide your response. Occasionally, you may need to glance at the keyboard while typing your answers - don’t worry, that is permissible and acceptable, but you need to restrict looking away from the screen as much as possible.
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Ensure that your testing environment is secluded
It is essential to understand that no one is permitted to assist you during the test. This means that no individual, even if they are not providing help, is allowed in your testing environment. To ensure an uninterrupted experience, allocate one hour of uninterrupted time and inform those around you not to enter your testing area. You can even place a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door as a reminder! Additionally, it is advisable to keep your phone, smartwatch, or any connected devices in a separate room to eliminate distractions and interruptions during the test.
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Communicate naturally when speaking and writing
The Duolingo English Test aims to assess your genuine and natural proficiency in English. When you encounter open response sections of the test, strive to provide spontaneous and authentic answers. Even if you have prepared responses for similar types of questions, it is important to tailor your response to the specific topic and express it using your own words. Remember, natural is best! Do not take notes or keep a writing pad around you, these will all result in invalid scores for the test taker.
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Ensure that all programs on your computer are closed
When you are prepared to begin the test, it is crucial that your test session is the sole activity running on your computer. Prior to initiating the test, make sure to close all programs, including web browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox), telecommunication software (like Skype or Discord), and remote desktop software (such as Teamviewer or Anydesk). Additionally, it is advisable to verify that no programs are running in the background without your knowledge. If you have any uncertainties, you may completely shut down your computer, restart it, and only launch the Duolingo English Test desktop application. This not only assists in passing a security check but also ensures a stable testing experience.
What happens if rules are broken on the DET?
In the event of a violation of any rule associated with the Duolingo English Test, Duolingo maintains the right to withhold certification of test results or invalidate previously certified results, without offering a refund. However, there are circumstances where you may be eligible to appeal your invalidated results. If you meet the criteria for an appeal, you will find an “Appeal This Result” button next to your invalidated result on the Duolingo English Test homepage where you can appeal for the same. Depending on the severity of the violation which includes cheating, test takers may face a permanent ban from retaking the Duolingo English Test.
Also, Read
- Duolingo Exam Eligibility 2023: Check Age Limit, Qualification, Score & Documents Required
- Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2023
- Duolingo Question Papers, Sample Papers PDF: Download Free
Following the above guidelines will help ensure a smooth and fair experience while taking the DET, increasing your chances of gaining admission to your desired international university. You can also watch instructional videos for a clearer comprehension of the rules, available on the official website. In any situation, the DET team is consistently available to offer support and assistance throughout your journey. All the best! Candidates with queries can get in touch with us in the comments below. Study abroad aspirants looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website.
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 are 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: Why is Duolingo English Test an adaptive test?
Duolingo English Test is an adaptive test due to the fact that the questions asked in it adapt to the answers that the test taker gives. Therefore, the difficulty level of the questions is set accordingly. The questions are generated by a grading system implemented by Duolingo as the test is AI-driven. So, questions are chosen by the system from a large pool of questions and no question appears twice. In order to get an in-depth idea about the DET structure, you are suggested to go through the video walkthrough on the official website.
Q: Can Indian students prepare for Duolingo at home without tuitions?
Yes, Indian students can prepare for the Duolingo English Test at home without needing. There are multiple online resources available that can help these students to improve their English proficiency. Even the Duolingo app and website offer free practice tests for students where they can do regular practice.
Q: What is a good Duolingo English Test score?
Duolingo evaluates your overall proficiency in its English language test on a scale from 10-160 and also on four subscores, namely – Literacy, Conversation, Comprehension, and Production. These scores fall in line with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is an overseas language proficiency standard.
A score of 120 or more is considered a good Duolingo English Test score. You can also check the score interpretation on Shiksha's Duolingo Result page. A few of the aspects which Duolingo evaluates are listed below:
- Task Relevance: How articulately has the proposed question been answered?
- Fluency: How comfortably can a candidate write or say in a given time period?
- Grammatical complexity: What level of grammatical sophistication does the candidate have?
- Acoustic features: How eloquent is the candidate’s speech’s pronunciation and speed?
- Accuracy: Usage of the correct words, definitions and grammar, as well as variation in word choices
Q: Is 130 a good Duolingo English Test score?
Duolingo score is based on a scale of 10-160. If you score more than 120 then it means you can understand written and spoken language. It signifies that you can use it for academic or professional purposes. The total score that is displayed in your result gives a basic picture of what one can do and one's proficiency in particular areas is measured by the subscores. After appearing for the test one will obtain the test results within 48 hours of attempting the same.
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