What exams do you think of when applying for school or university as a non-native speaker of English? IELTS? TOEFL? Traditionally these have been some of the exams that students have studied for in order to prove their level of English so they can apply to study in the UK. Duolingo has now stepped up to the plate and are offering a comprehensive online English language test accepted at multiple institutions around the world as proof of your level of English. This guide will help you with some top tips on how to pass the duolingo English test with a high score and set you on your path to your education.
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The duolingo English test is an online and on demand language test to prove your level of English in order to apply for University education in an English-speaking country. The test takes on average about 1 hour to complete and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. The test is relatively cheap at $49, which you can buy at any time and then complete at your leisure. You are tested on listening, speaking, reading and writing through various timed tasks.
One of the key differences of the duolingo test over the TOEFL or IELTS is that it is adaptive – the test changes difficulty based on your previous answers. This is why it is a relatively short exam to test your level. Another bonus is that again, unlike TOEFL and IELTS, you can send your duolingo test scores to as many institutions as you like for no extra charge – win win!
Top tips provided by Duolingo
On their website duolingo gives us some top tips in order to pass the exam which I will share with you here. They recommend watching the summary video explaining how the exam works and what you will need technology wise to complete the exam. How to prepare your exam environment i.e. finding a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed by anyone – it’s worth noting that if someone enters the room while you are taking the exam, the test will be invalid! The detection software used tracks the movement of your eyes to ensure that you stay focused on the screen and not on anything else.
Once your exam has been submitted two separate proctors check your video and even your keystrokes to ensure that everything is above board and the test is valid. During the exam your computer is locked which makes it impossible to check other tabs or documents you might have saved, again ensuring that your exam mark is valid and a true representation of your level of English. Make sure that you understand all the rules before you take the exam to ensure that you can focus on showcasing your English and not struggling with what to do next. They also provide a very helpful 15 minute practice test so you can experience the different tasks that may be required of you in the official exam.
We’re here to help you
If you’re thinking about taking the Duolingo English exam to assess and prove your level of English then here at The Language Gallery we’re here to guide you through it. We offer one-to-one classes with qualified and friendly teachers who will help you improve your level of English and help you navigate your way through the exam.
All enquires to english@thelanguagegallery.com where one of our team will be happy to help you.