PTE
IELTS
DUOLINGO
CELPIP
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an innovative and flexible language proficiency exam designed to evaluate your skills in real-world contexts. The Duolingo exam pattern is divided into two main sections: an adaptive test and a video interview. The adaptive test assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an integrated format, where the questions adjust to your ability level.
Understanding the Duolingo English Test Format 2026 in detail can significantly enhance your preparation. The adaptive test, which lasts about 45 minutes, dynamically adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your responses, making it a quick yet comprehensive evaluation.
Know everything about Duolingo English Test format to score high and practice well.
In this task, you’ll be presented with a list of words. Your goal is to carefully read each one and determine whether it is a valid English word or not.
How to answer:
Carefully review each word and click the correct answer to indicate whether it’s a valid word. If you’re unsure, try to recall common English words and patterns.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
You will be given a sentence with a missing word. Your task is to read through the sentence and fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the thought.
How to answer:
Analyze the context of the sentence and think about the type of word (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) that would logically fit. Type your answer in the blank space provided.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
In this question type, you’ll encounter a passage with incomplete words. You will need to type the missing letters to complete the words, allowing you to practice spelling and comprehension.
How to answer:
Look at the word's context and figure out the missing letters. Type them in the provided spaces to complete each word.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
In this task, you have to answer 6 reading questions about one paragraph.
How to answer:
Read both passages quickly and use the early questions to understand the text better for the later ones. Don’t spend too long on one question, manage your time carefully, and make sure you complete all six questions within the 7- and 8-minute limits.
Subscores: Literacy & Comprehension
Listen carefully to a spoken statement and then transcribe it by typing what you heard.
How to answer:
Pay close attention to the speaker’s words and type them as accurately as possible. Focus on spelling, punctuation, and grammar as you transcribe.
Subscores: Listening, Comprehension, Conversation
In this exercise, you’ll be presented with a passage containing several missing words. Your task is to select the best word to fill each blank, completing the sentences and ensuring they make sense.
How to answer:
Read each sentence carefully and select the word from the options that best fits both the context and the grammatical structure of the sentence.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
This task will show you two sections of a passage with a missing sentence between them. You must select the most appropriate sentence to complete the passage logically.
How to answer:
Read both sections of the passage carefully. Choose the sentence that bridges the gap logically and enhances the flow of the overall message.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
In this activity, you will read a question and then search the passage to find the correct answer. Highlight the relevant text by clicking and dragging over the words that best answer the question.
How to answer:
Read the question and understand what information you’re looking for. Then, find the specific part of the passage that answers the question and highlight it.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
In this task, you will read a passage and then choose the idea that best represents the main message or theme.
How to answer:
After reading the passage, review the list of ideas and select the one that most accurately reflects the central theme or message of the text.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
You will read a passage and select the best title from a list of options.
How to answer:
After reading the passage, think about the main theme or topic. Choose the title that best summarizes the essence of the passage.
Subscores: Reading, Literacy, Comprehension
Listen to a short conversation-based situation. You will see three sentences related to that situation, each with a missing part. Your task is to type the correct missing words to complete all three sentences.
How to answer:
Listen carefully and write a short answer that clearly gives the main idea, without adding extra or missing key information. Use your time wisely, as this task shares the same timer with the following Listen and Respond question.
Subscore: Listening, Comprehension
In this task, you will listen to a prompt and select the best response.
How to answer:
Listen to the prompt carefully, then choose the response that fits the situation. Consider the tone and content of the prompt to pick the most appropriate reply.
Subscores: Listening, Comprehension, Conversation
Listen to a conversation and summarize it within 75 seconds.
How to answer:
Focus on the key points of the conversation. After listening, write a brief summary that captures the main ideas and important details.
Subscores: Writing, Listening, Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production
You’ll be shown an image and asked to write a brief description of it.
How to answer:
Observe the image carefully, noting important details. Write a description that includes what you see, any relevant emotions or themes, and any objects or people present in the photo.
Subscores: Writing, Literacy, Production
In this task, you will write about a topic for 5 minutes, followed by a 3-minute follow-up response.
How to answer:
Begin by organizing your thoughts. Write a clear and well-structured response to the topic for the first 5 minutes, and then provide additional thoughts or details in the follow-up response.
Subscores: Writing, Literacy, Production
In this task, you will be shown an image and asked to speak about it for 90 seconds.
How to answer:
Focus on describing the image in detail, including what you see and any feelings or thoughts the image evokes. Speak clearly and confidently, and try to be descriptive.
Subscores: Speaking, Conversation, Production
You’ll be presented with a written prompt and asked to speak your response for at least 30 seconds, up to 90 seconds.
How to answer:
After reading the prompt, think briefly about your response. Then, speak about the topic, making sure to express your thoughts clearly and fully.
Subscores: Speaking, Conversation, Production
You will be provided with a written prompt and asked to write a detailed response for at least 3 minutes, up to 5 minutes.
How to answer:
Spend the first few moments brainstorming your ideas. Write a focused, well-organized response, ensuring you cover all relevant points in the given time.
Subscores: Writing, Literacy, Production
For this task, you will read a written prompt and speak about the topic for a minimum of 1 minute, up to a maximum of 3 minutes.
How to answer:
Organize your thoughts, and speak for the full 1 to 3 minutes. Ensure that you answer the prompt in a structured way, providing clear and complete responses to all aspects of the question.
Subscores: Speaking, Conversation, Production
Know the different questions & frequency of these question types in the Duolingo English Test Format 2026.
|
Question Types |
Frequency |
|---|---|
|
Read and Select |
15-18 |
|
Fill in The Blanks |
6-9 |
|
Read & Complete |
3-6 |
|
Interactive Reading |
2 Sets |
|
Listen and Type |
6-9 |
|
Complete the Sentences |
2 |
|
Complete the Passage |
2 |
|
Highlight the Answer |
4 |
|
Identify the Idea |
2 |
|
Title the Passage |
2 |
|
Listen & Respond |
10 |
|
Summarize the Conversation |
2 |
|
Write About the Photo |
3 |
|
Interactive Writing |
1 set of 2 questions |
|
Listen and Type |
6-9 |
|
Speak, About the Photo |
1 |
|
Read, Then Speak |
1 |
|
Writing Sample |
1 |
|
Speaking Sample |
1 |
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Have questions about the Duolingo exam pattern? Find comprehensive answers to all your queries in our detailed FAQs.
The Duolingo test pattern has an adaptive format, meaning the difficulty level of the questions changes based on your responses. The test evaluates reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through an integrated approach.
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