About one hour in total, including a short setup, the adaptive test and the video interview and writing sample.
Duolingo English Test Format — Every Question Type
The Duolingo English Test is taken on your own computer at home, on demand, under AI proctoring (your session is recorded and reviewed). It has three parts: an adaptive graded section, a graded speaking and writing sample, and a short video interview and writing sample that universities read directly but which are not scored.
Knowing every question type removes the surprise that costs points on a fast, adaptive test.
The three parts of the test
- Adaptive section — mixed reading, writing, listening and speaking question types that adjust to your level.
- Graded sample — a speaking and a writing response that feed your score.
- Video interview & writing sample — ungraded, sent to institutions as evidence of real communication.
The question types
| Question type | What you do |
|---|---|
| Read and complete | Fill the missing letters in a passage. |
| Read and select | Pick the real English words from a list of real and fake words. |
| Listen and type (dictation) | Type exactly what you hear. |
| Read aloud | Record yourself reading a sentence clearly. |
| Write about a photo | Describe an image in one or more sentences under time pressure. |
| Speak / write about a topic | Give a spoken or written response to a prompt for a set time. |
| Interactive reading & listening | Longer adaptive passages with several linked questions. |
Rules and environment
- You take it alone, in a quiet, well-lit room, with a working webcam and microphone.
- Strict proctoring: no notes, no other people, no leaving the frame — a flagged session can invalidate your score.
- The whole test takes about an hour, including the setup and the interview.
Frequently asked questions
No — the interview and writing sample are ungraded, but universities watch and read them directly, so treat them seriously and speak clearly.
Proctoring rules are strict; looking away, having someone else present, or a poor environment can flag your session and invalidate the result. Prepare a quiet, clean, well-lit space.
Want a format walkthrough before you book?
Our mentors will run you through every DET task type. Free on WhatsApp.