The Duolingo English test is another attempt to create more opportunities for students to study abroad. It's an English assessment test for non-native speakers. Months before the test you must watch a video about the test to learn what it's all about, the sections included in the test, and the types of questions you will have to answer.

In order to take good preparation for the exam, you need to know how the test gives scores. You will get 5 scores: for literacy, comprehension, conversation, production, and an average of all these. Here are some exam preparation tips that you can follow.

Know the exam pattern

You should know the syllabus, type of questions, and levels of difficulty of the exam. Once you know all these you can identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if many of the words you see unfamiliar then you know that you have to work on your vocabulary.

Take sample test

To find out where your skills lie, it is important to take a sample test. By attending exam-type questions you will know how much you have to work hard to achieve your goal. You will know which areas to focus on.

Know the types of questions

The exam is full of a variety of questions. Some of the questions of the Duolingo English test are very different from those of TOEFL or IELTS. For example, one type of question is to choose between real and fake words. The question can be in text or audio form. Another type of question is to type the missing letters of the word within a text. In the listening section, you will be asked to listen to a sentence and repeat it. You will need to do an image description, reading, and a writing task as well.

Know about Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)

You must be familiar with CAT before the exam. In this format of exam, you will be faced with a more challenging question once you answer a question correctly. On the other hand, if your answer is wrong, then the next one will be easier. So, you can guess whether the answers to your previous questions were correct or not by looking at the next question. So, if you see that your test is getting difficult then you will know that you are doing good in the exam.

Practice speaking

To do well in the speaking section of the exam, you must practice a lot. Try speaking on any random topic for a few minutes; record it; and hear it. You will be able to find mistakes in the content, speaking style, word choice, punctuation, and other things. So, work on those aspects of speaking to get a high score. Instead of practicing alone, it is more effective to call in a friend to help you.

Incorporate passive learning

Active learning is not enough to score well on this test. You need to include passive learning too. You must do activities that will help you to improve your spoken and written English. For example, you can watch Hollywood movies, read novels, or listen to podcasts. Now you can listen to audiobooks as well. You can also listen to English songs to understand the lyrics. To improve writing skills through passive learning, you can start writing a blog or articles on various topics.

Use the app

You can download the Duolingo app on your smartphone to practice English when you are on the go. With this app, you can practice at your own pace.

Learn new words

There is no alternative to learning new words every day. Your vocabulary must be strong to get a good overall score on the test.

Last minute preparation

The day before the test you must get good sleep and rest. You should organize all the necessary things, like your ID. You can take this test anytime from anywhere. So, if you decide to give it at home, make sure your computer or laptop is working. You must ensure a good Wi-Fi connection as well.

On the day of the test, tell everyone in your family about the test. You must inform them of the time so they realize that they can't disturb you during that time. Keep your phone away and in silent mode. During the exam, your face and ears must be visible at all times. So, don't put on a headphone; otherwise, you will be disqualified.

Before starting the test read all the instructions carefully. Stay focused during the duration of the test. Unlike TOEFL and IELTS, the Duolingo English test has only one section. The questions are also adaptive; that is, depending on your answer to the previous question, a new question will appear on the screen. If you can answer a question correctly then the next question will be more difficult. The test is invigilated online, so you must look at the screen all the time. The test is timed, so you need to answer the questions quickly. After the graded test, you must participate in an ungraded video interview and also submit a writing sample. Though these are not grades, the testing authority will send them to the universities you apply to along with the grades so that they can judge your English proficiency well.

To improve your writing skills, write blogs or express your thoughts on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Writing without apprehension is essential to boost your confidence and improve your writing skills. By practicing enough, you are sure to learn better words and ways to write.

There are lots of online resources that can help you prepare for the exam. You should sit for the exam confidently. If your preparation is well, nothing will prevent you from getting a good score. You will eventually get admission to your chosen university with the Duolingo English test score.