Duolingo English Test
Overview
Although Duolingo is not the most widely accepted English proficiency certifications available out there in the world today, it is most certainly the most convenient.
Still, the objective of the Duolingo English Test is the same as any other language proficiency test. To officially validate the test taker’s command over the language in question.
To fulfill this objective, the DET employs a set of exercises ranging from reading aloud pieces of texts to writing short essays. The creators of the DET pride themselves in having created a test that is more accurately reflective of the test taker’s command over the practical use of the language instead of just quantifying reading, writing, listening and speaking scores.
About the Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test was created by the same team of people that came up the amazing Duolingo app. The same app that millions of people use to learn new languages. The app is famous for having gamified the process of learning a new language. The users can even accumulate points and compete with friends.
However, unlike its gamified cousin, the DET is an officially recognized measure of English proficiencies in over 5000 institutions around the world, with them adding more with time.
The test itself is an adaptive one. It means that if the student does well in the starting of the test, the questions will get progressively more difficult. The inverse is also true. So, if the student does not display a promising aptitude in the first few segments, the question they would have to solve in the latter segments would be easier. So, the test is challenging for everyone and the scores hence rewarded give a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the user’s language proficiency.
Unlike other conventional proficiency tests, Duolingo doesn’t have a clearly defined reading, writing, listening and speaking segment. Instead, the test is divided into three segments as discussed below:
1. Introduction and Onboarding
This part of the test is to check the hardware of the device you’re going to be using for the test, and ensure the right person is taking the test. The computer application running the test will check the computer’s camera, speakers, and microphone so that the test can be conducted in a smooth manner. Then the test taker has to present a government issued photo ID, preferably a passport. Once that is done, the examinee will be onboarded onto the test platform and given the test rules and requirements.
This usually takes about 5 minutes.
Adaptive Test
This is the section when the test actually begins. The test taker will be presented with a variety of questions administered randomly. The questions thereafter will be either easier or more difficult depending on how the test taker performs. This is where the bulk of the testing takes place. This segment is usually about 45 minutes long.
Writing and Speaking Sample
After the adaptive test, the test takers will be given open-ended questions that they would have to answer, either verbally or in writing. The verbal response or the Speaking Sample allows for a one to three minute recording. As for the Writing Sample, the test taker will have a three to five minute window to draft their response. This part is especially important because the institutions that you choose to send your Duolingo English Test reports to will be able to access these responses alongside the points you get.
Structure of the Duolingo English Test
As previously stated, the Duolingo English Test doesn’t classify the test materials into clear reading, writing, listening and speaking modules. Carrying on this theme, the final test scores are not issued in those metrics either.
The creators of this test argue that someone seldom uses the aforementioned four modules exclusively. Instead, what usually happens is that you would use two or more of those basic skills in unison. For example, a student listening to a lecture will also be writing down notes. A conversation requires both speaking and listening. So, keeping the practical use of the language in mind, the Duolingo English Test hands out test results in these four metrics:
- Conversation: This includes Listening and Speaking
- Production: This includes Speaking and Writing
- Literacy: This included Writing and Reading
- Comprehension: This includes Listening and Reading
Why choose Duolingo English Test over IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL?
Let’s first start by establishing why people prefer to take an IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL over Duolingo English Test. The simple reason is that these tests have simply been around for longer and hence have more institutions signed up with them. Compared to the 5000 institutions that accept Duolingo English Test, IELTS is accepted by a whopping 12,000+ institutions and TOEFL by over 10,000. PTE is not already a giant with a smaller reach of 3300+ institutions. Because the Australian and Canadian government recognizes those scores and those are some of the most popular destinations for Nepalese students, it’s still hard for Duolingo to outclass PTE.
That being said, institutions in the United States and several other countries still recognize the Duolingo English Test as an official measure of English proficiency.
Anyways, the strong suit of the DET is because of these three factors:
1. It’s cheaper.
Compared to PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL tests, Duolingo is much cheaper. All of the others cost around or above USD 200 whereas the Duolingo test is just USD 59. Plus, Duolingo sends out your score to up to 40 institutions with no extra charges.
2. It’s convenient
Once you pay for the test and register, you can take the test anytime within a 21-day window. You take the test in a closed, well lit and quiet place. You can decide the venue for yourself. You don’t have to worry about not getting the dates you want or the exam center being too far away—none of that. Plus, if something goes wrong, you can redo the test up to three times. If you still get a bad score, you can redo the test twice every 30 days.
3. It’s fast
No need to wait weeks for your scores. Duolingo English Test will issue your official scores within 48 hours of you giving the test.
Where to study Duolingo English Test in Nepal?
The convenience of Duolingo English Test doesn’t end there. The administrators of the test will even give you the materials to prepare for the test. There are videos on their official site about individual exercises of the test and there are mock tests that you can attempt to test your skills.
However, if you need a hands-on tutor, you could sign up for a Duolingo class with a convenient educational consultancy. Most educational consultancies will not have a dedicated Duolingo class in Nepal, but they still provide private lessons to individual students. If you and a few of your friends want to join a Duolingo class, a consultancy can also have that arranged.