Introduction to the Duolingo English Test (DET)

Afridemia English & University Preparation Program

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🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain what the DET is and why universities accept it

• Describe the 3 stages of the test

• Understand how adaptive testing works

• Follow rules and avoid mistakes that cause invalid scores

• Compare DET with IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE

• Apply practical strategies on your very first attempt

• Build confidence, whether it’s your 1st time or your 3rd time

 

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Your Study Plan & Schedule — Duolingo English Test

Stay organized and track your improvement throughout your DET journey!

Before you begin your DET Preparation program:

📄 Print Your DET Study Plan (PDF)

Use your Study Plan to record completion of:

• Daily practice

• Speaking and writing prompts

• Reading & listening drills

• Full DET practice tests

 

📥 Click here to download the DET Study Plan

 

Checking off each task helps you see steady progress and identify weak skills early.

 

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🗓️ Print Your Weekly Study Schedule

Place it somewhere visible — your wall, notebook, or study desk — to remind you of your targets for each week.

Your schedule includes:

• Daily micro-practice goals

• Weekly mock test targets

• Time allocations for each skill (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking)

• Review and reflection checkpoints

 

📥 Click here to download the schedule

 

Tip: Short, consistent practice (15–30 minutes daily) is more effective than long, irregular study sessions for adaptive tests like DET.

 

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🧠 Why a Study Plan Matters for Duolingo

The DET is fast, adaptive, and requires quick thinking. A structured plan helps you:

• Build skill automaticity

• Improve typing speed and fluency

• Strengthen speaking and writing accuracy

• Prepare for unpredictable item types

• Reduce anxiety before the real test

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Afridemia Tip

“Duolingo success comes from consistency — small steps every day. When you track your progress, your improvement becomes visible, and confidence follows naturally.”

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🔍 1. What Is the Duolingo English Test (DET)?

🖥️ Watch the video: DET Introduction

 

Let’s begin simple: DET is a fast, flexible English test you take from home.

It is accepted by 10,000+ universities, including:

• Harvard

• Yale

• Columbia

• University of Toronto

• Many top universities in Europe

🌟 Why Students Love It

• 🏠 Take it from your bedroom

• 💻 Only need a laptop + internet

• ⏱️ Only 1 hour

• 💲 Costs $70

• 🎯 Measures ALL skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing)

• 📩 Share scores to unlimited universities for free

❤️ Why many African Students Prefer It

• No expensive test centers

• No traveling to test center

• No long waiting time

• Very student-friendly

👉 What This Means for YOU

You can achieve your university dreams faster and with less stress.
But because the test is short, every minute counts.

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🧭 2. Test Structure

🖥️ Watch the video: test structure

 

The DET has 3 simple parts. Let’s break them down like a friendly teacher guiding you step-by-step.

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1️⃣ Introduction & Onboarding (~5 minutes)

Think of this as “checking into the exam.”
You will:

• Test your camera and microphone

• Show your ID

• Confirm the rules

Simple. No scoring here.

 

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2️⃣ Adaptive Test (~45 minutes)

This is where the real test happens.

The exam mixes skills:

• Reading

• Listening

• Speaking

• Writing

There are NO sections.
Your questions may look like this:

✏️ Examples

• Read & Select: Choose real English words

• Listen & Type: Type what you hear

• Write About the Photo: Write 1–2 sentences

• Speak for 30 seconds: Respond to a prompt

This section feels fast because the system keeps adjusting to your level.

 

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3️⃣ Writing & Speaking Samples (~10 minutes)

You will record:

• 1 writing sample

• 1 speaking sample

These are not scored, but universities see them.
So make them your best.

 

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🌈 What This Means for YOU

• Be ready to switch skills quickly

• Don’t panic if you go from speaking → reading → listening → writing

• The first 10–15 questions matter a lot

• The randomness is normal — don’t overthink it

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🧠 3. How Adaptive Testing Works

Let’s imagine this:

You’re climbing stairs.
If you climb easily, the DET gives you a higher step.
If you struggle, it gives you a lower step.

This is exactly how adaptive testing works.

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How It Works

• Correct answer → harder question

• Wrong answer → easier question

The goal is to find your true level quickly.

 

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Why It Matters

• Your test will NOT look like your friend’s

• Difficulty does NOT tell you if you’re failing

• The system adjusts fast — don’t panic

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Common Mistake Students Make

“These questions are too easy… I’m failing.”
This thought destroys confidence.

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🌈 What This Means for YOU

• Stay calm, even if difficulty changes

• Focus on accuracy — not difficulty

• Don’t rush

• Expect inconsistency — that’s part of the design

 

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📝 4. Question Types

🟦 A. Comprehension

• Read & Select

• Fill in the Blanks

• Listen & Type

• Read Aloud

 

🟩 B. Interactive Tasks

• Interactive Reading

• Interactive Listening

 

🟧 C. Production

• Write About the Photo

• Speak About the Photo

• Read, Then Speak

• Interactive Writing

 

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🧩 Example: Write About the Photo

You see a picture →
Write 1–2 sentences describing it.

Example answer:

“Two children are playing football outside. They look happy and active.”

Simple, natural English.

 

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❗ Common Mistake

Using memorized templates from YouTube.
The AI detects repeated phrases.

 

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🌈 What This Means for YOU

• Be natural, be yourself

• Use simple, clear English

• Practice timings — some tasks give you 20–30 seconds

 

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🖥️ 5. Watch video: Requirements & Rules

Think of this like entering a secure exam room — even though you’re at home.

✔ You MUST Have:

• Laptop with camera and a smartphone for a second camera

• Microphone & speakers

• Good internet

• Quiet, well-lit room

• Valid ID

 

If your home doesn’t have stable internet or a quiet, well-lit room, Afridemia provides dedicated Duolingo testing rooms you can use.

 

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You MUST NOT:

• ❌ Look away

• ❌ Wear headphones

• ❌ Have anyone in the room

• ❌ Use notes, phone, apps

• ❌ Speak when not instructed

 

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⚠ What Happens If You Break Rules

• Score not certified

• Previous scores canceled

• Possible permanent ban

 

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❗ Common Mistake

Small repeated eye movements = suspicious.
Students don’t do it intentionally — but the system catches it.

 

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🌈 What This Means for YOU

• Sit comfortably and still

• Keep your eyes centered

• Prepare your room before clicking “Start Test”

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🔄 6. If You Are Retaking the DET

I see you.
Retaking any test can feel discouraging — but you are NOT starting from zero.

Here are real reasons students score low, based on many learners:

 

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❌ Common Causes of Low Scores

• Speaking too little

• Writing very short responses

• Eye movement violations

• Poor internet or lighting

• Memorized templates

• Weak performance in interactive tasks

 

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🌟 How to Improve (Teacher Tips)

✔ Speak longer — aim for 5–8 sentences
✔ Don’t rush typing
✔ Start strong: the early questions affect your score more
✔ Practice with a timer
✔ Use natural vocabulary, not fancy memorized lines

 

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❤️ Encouragement

You CAN improve.
Most retakers increase 10–25 points with the right approach.

 

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📊 7. DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE

 

🌈 What This Means for YOU

DET is faster, cheaper, flexible —
BUT the rules are stricter.
You must follow every rule carefully.

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📌 📥 Lesson Downloadable Resources. 

📌 📥 Click on this link to downlad the PDF 

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