Is the Duolingo English Test Practice Test Different from the Official Test?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) practice test and the official test have several similarities, as well as some notable differences. This blog post explores key distinctions between the Duolingo English Test practice test and the official exam, covering structure, scoring, and question variety to better prepare for the real assessment.

Key Features in Common

l Structure and Question Formats:

Both the practice and official tests maintain a similar framework, incorporating various question types to evaluate your overall English proficiency. These tasks cover reading, writing, listening, and speaking, helping you become accustomed to the challenges you'll face on the official test.

l Adaptive Nature:

A hallmark of both tests is their adaptive nature. The difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on your performance in real time. Correct answers lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect ones prompt easier questions. This adaptability ensures a personalized assessment of your language skills.

l Projected Scoring:

Upon completing the practice test, you receive an estimated score range, providing insight into what you might achieve on the official test. However, this estimate lacks the detailed breakdown of the official scores, which include individual and integrated subscores to give you a clearer picture of your abilities.

l Key Features in Differences

l Test Duration:

A key distinction is the duration of the tests. The practice test typically runs for around 45 minutes, while the official test lasts about 60 minutes. This extra time in the official test allows for a more thorough evaluation of your skills.

l Precision of Scoring:

Estimated scores from the practice test are less precise than those from the official test. The official test provides a comprehensive evaluation, including detailed subscores for various skill areas such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking, giving you valuable insights into where you excel and where you need improvement.

In conclusion, the official test provides a more comprehensive and precise assessment of your English proficiency, complete with detailed feedback. To effectively enhance your preparation, it is recommended to practice more before the test and create a reasonable study plan in order to achieve better results on the official exam.