New DET Room Scan Update 2025 – What You Need to Know?

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If you are planning to sit for the Duolingo English Test (DET), you might notice something different when you log in now. Duolingo recently introduced a room scan requirement before you start your test. At first, it can feel a little unusual, but once you know how it works, it’s actually quite simple. So here is everything you need to know about DET room scan update.

Why DET Room Scan Update Being Introduced?

Because the DET is taken from home, there isn’t a live invigilator like in traditional exams. That’s both a blessing and a challenge. Though the Duolingo English test is convenient, most of the students take advantage of it and try to cheat. So to give fair chance this rule is introduced. Think of it as Duolingo’s way of walking through the exam hall, only this time your phone is the “proctor.”

Step 1: Start With the Desktop App

The test still begins in the Duolingo English Test desktop app. Once you sign in, go through the usual setup screens until you see the new prompt asking you to scan your room. That’s when your phone comes into play.

Step 2: Pair Your Phone

You’ll see a QR code pop up on your computer screen. Grab your phone and open the camera app (don’t use another scanner app—it won’t work). Scan the code, and you’ll get a four-digit number. Enter it as directed and you’re officially connected.

A few reminders here:

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start.
Switch it to Do Not Disturb and double-check that no contacts can bypass this setting. One text or call during the test can cancel your attempt.
Keep your phone within easy reach. You’ll be using it as a camera, not just during setup but throughout the test.

Step 3: Allow Permissions

The app will ask you to allow access to your phone’s camera, as well as its motion and orientation sensors. These permissions are essential because they let the phone act as your second camera. Without them, the scan won’t complete.

Step 4: Do the Room Scan

Most of the people are worried about how to scan room with smartphone? but it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Stand up and hold your phone so that both your computer screen and keyboard are in view.
Slowly turn in a circle, keeping your hand steady. There’s a guide on the screen that helps you stay aligned.
Once you’ve done a full turn, tilt the phone down so it’s pointing at your keyboard.
Finally, lift it slightly and move it over the top of your screen to show the space behind your monitor.
That’s it—the scan is complete once you’ve shown these areas.

Step 5: You’re Ready to Test

After the scan, your phone becomes a secondary camera for the exam. With this setup, the system has two views of your environment, which reassures universities that your score is genuine. From here, you can start the actual test without any more setup steps.

Things That Can Go Wrong:

From my own trial and from what other test-takers have shared, here are the most common issues:

Low phone battery: Imagine getting halfway through and your phone shuts off—game over.
Notifications: Even if your phone is on silent, a notification can flag your test. Double-check your settings.
Bad Lighting: If the room is not well-lit, then it may not capture everything clearly.
Skipping permissions: Without enabling camera and motion access, you won’t pass the setup stage.

How to do Smooth Set-up:

Make sure your workspace is clean there are no books, notes or unnecessary things
Keep your computer in such a way that you have adequate space to stand and rotate.
Check your internet speed before starting and make sure that the connection is stable.
Don’t rush. Take your time during the scan so everything is captured clearly.

The latest DET room scan update 2025 may seem like an added step, but it’s designed to make the exam more secure and credible. If you’re preparing for the Duolingo English Test, you can practice on Gurully’s platform, where our exam experts have created full-length DET mock tests that mirror the real exam. With instant AI scoring, you’ll not only get a clear idea of the exam pattern but also be able to track and improve your performance effectively. For more preparation tips and strategies, don’t forget to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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