As the Duolingo English Test is gaining popularity rapidly, they are introducing new changes every year to enhance the exam experience for students. If you are also taking the Duolingo English test on or after July 1st, there will be two major changes to the exam format. These major changes are intended to bring the test closer to real-world scenarios that focus on practical communication. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the new features. Read it carefully and prepare for the exam.
1. Introduction of Interactive Speaking
The first change in the Duolingo exam format is adding interactive speaking. A new question type is added to evaluate ability to have natural conversations in English and will contribute to your speaking subscore.
About Task:
- You’ll be asked a question by one of Duolingo’s AI characters—either Bea or Oscar.
- You’ll have up to 35 seconds to record your response.
- Expect 6 to 8 prompts, with each one building upon the previous answer.
This format allows the test to evaluate how well you can:
- Speak clearly
- Stay on topic
- Organize and express ideas in real time
Additionally, it helps measure key academic speaking skills, such as fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation—all of which are essential for success in a university environment.
2. Enhanced Interactive Listening Section
In the interactive listening section, a new task named “Listen and Complete” will be added from 1st of July.
About Task:
Each Duolingo English test includes 2 Interactive Listening tasks, and each task has three parts:
Part 1: Listen and Complete
- Listen to the beginning of a conversation.
- Answer 3–4 fill-in-the-blank questions.
- Focus on catching keywords and details.
Part 2: Listen and Respond
- Continue listening to the whole discussion.
- Answer 5–6 questions (multiple-choice or short answer).
- Test your understanding of the situation, speaker’s intentions, and main ideas.
Part 3: Summarize the Conversation
- Write a brief summary of the entire conversation.
- You’ll get 75 seconds to complete it.
This revamped section is designed to test how well you can:
- Catch important details
- Understand academic vocabulary
- Summarize key points, just like in university lectures or discussions
3. Question Types Removed
To make room for these new features—and to keep the test duration under one hour—Duolingo has removed two existing question types:
- Read Aloud
- Listen Then Speak
This streamlining ensures the test remains efficient without compromising its ability to accurately measure your language proficiency.
4. No More Minimum Time Requirements
Duolingo is also improving the overall user experience by removing minimum time limits from several speaking and writing questions. This means you no longer have to wait before submitting your response if you finish early. These changes apply to:
- Speak About the Photo
- Read Then Speak
- Interactive Writing
- Writing Sample
- Speaking Sample
The goal is to give test-takers more control and reduce unnecessary wait times. According to Duolingo’s research, shorter tasks can still provide a reliable measure of your skills—and allowing you to move on when you’re done just makes for a smoother testing experience.
5. Updated User Interface
Along with content-related changes, the Duolingo English test has also upgraded its user interface, which resembles the popular Duolingo Learning app.
What’s New in the UI:
- A refined modern look, similar to the Duolingo learning app
- Easy navigation to help test-takers move through sections more intuitively
- Along with these changes, there are no changes in the accuracy of scoring and reliability. The test is as accurate as before.
What These Changes Mean for You
These changes are done to enhance the test-taking experience and align more closely with real-world communication needs.
Key Benefits:
- A more engaging and authentic exam that feels less robotic.
- Ability to evaluate real-life English proficiency is improved.
- A greater focus on listening and speaking skills, which are crucial in both academic and workplace environments.
How to Prepare for the New DET Format
- To succeed in the updated format, you’ll need to adjust your preparation strategies:
- Use updated mock tests and practice tools that reflect the new exam format
- Focus on spontaneous speaking and listening comprehension
- Practice summarizing conversations and responding to prompts in real-time
- Take advantage of Duolingo’s free practice test to get familiar with the new interface and task types
- For realistic preparation, use Gurully’s full-length DET mock tests, which offer instant AI scoring and mimic the actual exam environment.
To familiarize yourself with these new updates, Duolingo offers a free practice test on their official website. Practicing with the updated format is the best way to boost your confidence and improve your performance on test day. However, remember that achieving your target score with only one mock test is not enough; Gurully offers full-length mock tests with instant AI scoring. Practice with full-length mock tests with real-exam simulation.
Conclusion:
The 2025 changes to the Duolingo English Test aim to enhance the experience by making it more interactive, efficient, and reflective of real-life communication. With a sharper focus on fluency and comprehension and a more test-taker-friendly design, DET continues to innovate in the world of language assessment. Start your preparation today by practicing in a realistic exam environment with accurate scoring on Gurully.
FAQ:
1. What’s changing in the Duolingo English Test from July 2025?
2. What is the Interactive Speaking section all about?
3. What’s new in the Interactive Listening section?
4. Why were Read Aloud and Listen Then Speak removed?
5. Are there still minimum time limits for responses?
