Pass Duolingo English Test All you need to know about the test! COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1 Introduction - Welcome to PASS! This resource is divided into 2 main sections, broadly following the PASS framework: Process, Awareness, Strategies, Skills. Firstly, you will learn all the essential information about the Duolingo English Test: skills tested, proctoring and security, test readiness information, scoring, results, and similarities and differences between this and other tests and exams. In the second section we focus on the question types in the test and these are subdivided into the question types with correct answers and the open response question types. There is a new question type, called Interactive Reading, which was introduced in March 2022 and this is also included. This document can be used stand-alone, but we strongly recommend watching the accompanying PASS video to make the experience more dynamic, visual and memorable. We hope you find the content useful. For further information, please go to https://www.passenglishexam.com/ Section 1 - All about the Duolingo English Test 1. What is the Duolingo English Test? • • • • This test is provided by Duolingo, the popular language learning company whose declared mission is, “to lower barriers to education for everyone” The aim of the Duolingo English Test is to provide a convenient, fast, affordable and trusted English test which is accessible, accurate and secure The test was developed by language testing experts using artificial intelligence Duolingo English Test is accepted as proof of English proficiency by over 4,000 institutions worldwide. The list of institutions which recognise the test is here. 2. Which skills are tested in DET and what is the level? • • • • • • • 4 abilities are tested: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production. DET question types combine reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Literacy is a combination of reading and writing skills Comprehension is a combination of reading and listening skills Conversation is a combination of listening and speaking skills Production is a combination of speaking and writing skills DET is a multilevel test mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and also to the TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic scales The institution or organisation which accepts this test will inform you which score is required for admission to their programmes COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2 3. What do you need to carry out the test? • • • • • • • Access to a computer with speakers, microphone and a camera. Not a mobile! An internet connection with at least 2 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed. It is recommended to use an ethernet cable if available. A comfortable, quiet, well-lighted space with no one around! You will need your I.D. You will need to create an account with Duolingo and download an app to be able to carry out the test and to view and send your results Contact Duolingo here to request accommodations for different abilities For a comprehensive walkthrough of the test experience click here 4. What is the format of the test? • • • • • This test is online and is carried out in one uninterrupted period of about an hour Unlike other tests, there is no human examiner for the Speaking tasks. Your responses are recorded and scored by a grading engine. Introduction and onboarding takes about 5 minutes. You will check your computer is correctly set up, submit your I.D., and review the test protocols. The adaptive test takes about 45 minutes. The difficulty of the questions is adapted to your performance. The Writing and Speaking samples will take about 10 minutes. The Speaking sample is not scored but is available to the institutions you send your results to. 5. How is the test secured? • • • • • • • • • Security is of major importance for this test. This is called proctoring in the testing world and may be one of the principal reasons why the DET has become more widely accepted. Tests can be invalidated because test takers don’t stick to the rules Keep your eyes on the screen. Don’t look away. You can glance at the keyboard to type though. Close all programmes that are open on your computer, including background apps. Your test should be the only open application or programme. This includes browsers. Best practice is to shut down and then restart and launch the DET app. It’s just you and the computer. You can’t use a pen, pencil or make notes. And no other devices, such as a mobile phone, can be switched on in the room. And of course no other people can be present. One tip is to put a mirror behind you so that the proctors can examine your space You cannot use a headphone or earphones. Your face and ears must be visible, but your ears may be covered by a religious head covering. Don’t use a second monitor and don’t navigate away from the test window Make sure you practise to get used to these requirements COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 3 6. How long does it take for test results to arrive? • You will receive your score report within 48 hours and you can view your results online from your Duolingo account 7. How long are the results valid for? • • Certified scores are valid for 2 years There is no limit to the number of institutions you can send your results to 8. What are the main differences between this and other tests? • • • • • Test takers do not need to go to a test centre. The test is carried out from home. The DET is a computer adaptive test. This means the sequence of questions and the level of difficulty changes according to the user and the test session. Questions and tasks are not grouped together as in other tests and exams This test is different from a standardised test, such as TOEFL, IELTS or the Cambridge exams, because test takers do different questions of varying levels. A grading engine, not an examiner, scores the candidate’s open response answers. Up to an hour of testing is required to provide an accurate result. 9. How are the DET scores reported? • • • • DET scores are reported on a scale from 10 to 160, in 5 point increments There are 4 subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production The report includes the overall score, the subscores, and the writing and speaking sample A score of 130-150 corresponds to a C1 level on the CEFR 10. How are the DET questions scored? • • • • • • The test is scored by computer algorithms The question types with correct answers are graded automatically. The procedures developed for each question type evaluate the similarities and differences between the test taker’s response and a correct response. The open response question types are scored by a grading engine. The grading engine is trained to evaluate grammatical accuracy and complexity, lexical sophistication and diversity, task relevance, fluency, acoustic features (Speaking) Incorrect answers are not penalised more than answers left blank. As with other exams / tests, make sure you provide an answer even if you’re not sure. The Speaking sample is not scored, however, recipients can see your response According to Duolingo, multiple human proctors will also see your responses COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 4 Section 2 – The question types What do you need to know about the question types? Here are 10 key points! • • • • • • • • • • You are not scored more highly for answering quickly so use all the time available There are 3 levels of difficulty for all question types except the Interactive Reading, Writing Sample and Speaking Sample tasks. You can’t return to a question once you have clicked “NEXT”, so make sure you check your work before moving to the next question As in most other English tests, you will be scored more highly for demonstrating a wide range of grammar and vocabulary in Writing and Speaking tasks You may see question types you don’t recognise. These are not scored and are included for research purposes as part of new question type development. You will hear mainly American accents in the audios but there do seem to be some British voices. Practise listening to a range of accents but focus much more on American. One similarity with other tests is that you shouldn’t rehearse answers to questions you think may arise. You won’t sound natural and your responses may not be specific to the topic. In the speaking tasks you should speak loudly and clearly. Open your mouth and enunciate, even if you feel a bit silly doing so. The test is your friend and everyone involved in the process wants you to get the best score you can. According to the test readiness document, the Duolingo English Test accepts both American and British spelling. The only exception is the Read and Complete question type, which uses American spelling only. You are required to use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalisation in the test The question types with correct answers According to the test readiness guide, these types of questions may appear from 4-6 times each in the test. However, the time needed for the new Interactive Reading questions (March, 2022) make it impossible to maintain this frequency and complete the test in an hour. In the Duolingo FAQs we read that “to make room” the frequency of other questions will be reduced. It is likely that some of these questions will appear less frequently than stated. Read and Complete • • • You are required to type missing letters in order to fill in the blanks of unfinished words in a short reading text You are given 3 minutes and it is recommended to read the whole text first The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 5 Read and Select • • • You are required to read a list of words and select the ones which are real English words You are given 1 minute and it is recommended to read carefully and only select the words you are sure of The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension Listen and Select • • • You are required to listen to words and select the ones which are real English words You are given 90 seconds and it is recommended to listen carefully, double check and only select the words you are sure of The subscores tested are Comprehension and Conversation Listen and Type • • • You are required to listen to a statement and type what you hear You are given 1 minute and can listen up to 3 times. It is recommended to type what you think you heard and then replay twice to compare and correct The subscores tested are Comprehension and Conversation Read Aloud • • • You are required to read a statement and then record yourself saying it You are given 20 seconds. It is recommended to practise before recording if you have time. Use the punctuation to know when to pause. The subscores tested are Comprehension and Conversation Interactive Reading questions Introduction and general comments • • • These questions were introduced in March 2022 There are 2 short reading texts. One is a narrative and the other is more informative or educational. There is a set of 6 questions for each text. Each set will have a duration of 7-8 minutes. Complete the Sentences • • • You are required to read a short text and complete missing words from a list of options It is recommended to read sentence by sentence, use context clues and check your answers by reading the completed text before moving to the next question The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 6 Complete the Passage • • • • You are required to read a short text and complete a missing sentence from 4 options. Some of the text will be familiar from the previous question. It is recommended to read thoroughly and pay attention to the sentences before and after the missing sentence If you put the cursor over an option you can see it previewed in the text The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension Highlight the Answer • • • • You are required to highlight a part of a text that contains the answer to a given question. You need to click and drag the highlighted part into a box. It is recommended to highlight only the relevant part of the text, not too much or too little This question will appear twice in each reading text, so 4 in total The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension Identify the Idea • • • You are required to select an idea from a list of 4 options which best represents what is expressed in a short reading text It is recommended to read and think carefully about the options before choosing the one that best describes the text The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension Title the Passage • • • You are required to select the best title for a reading text from a list of 4 options It is recommended to read and think carefully about the options before choosing the one that best describes the text The subscores tested are Literacy and Comprehension The open response question types Write About the Photo • • • • You are required to write “one or more sentences” to describe an image You are given 1 minute. It is recommended to describe the image in detail. This will mean writing more than 1 sentence to demonstrate your writing skills. This type of question may appear up to 3 times in the test The subscores tested are Literacy and Production Speak About the Photo • • • You are required to speak “for at least 30 seconds” about an image You are given 30-90 seconds, plus 20 seconds for preparation. It is recommended to describe the image as if explaining it to someone who can’t see it. This type of question will appear once in the test COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 7 • The subscores tested are Conversation and Production Read, Then Write • • • • You are required to respond to a written prompt “in at least 50 words” You are given 5 minutes. It is recommended to use all the time and write as much as possible, as long as it is relevant. The word count will appear below the text. This type of question will appear once in the test The subscores tested are Literacy and Production Read, Then Speak • • • • You are required to speak in answer to a written prompt. There is a statement and some questions about it. You are given 30-90 seconds, plus 20 seconds for preparation. It is recommended to answer all the points in the task and use a range of grammar and vocabulary. This type of question will appear once in the test The subscores tested are Conversation and Production Listen, Then Speak • • • • You are required to speak in answer to an audio prompt You are given 30-90 seconds, plus 20 seconds for preparation, during which time you can replay the audio. It is recommended to use a range of grammar and vocabulary and to ensure you fully understand the audio prompt. This type of question may appear twice in the test The subscores tested are Conversation and Production Writing Sample • • • • • You are required to write for 3-5 minutes in response to a written prompt. You will have 30 seconds to read the instructions and prepare your answer The topic of the prompt will be shared with the recipients of your results, so your response must be relevant It is recommended to approach this task as a short essay in order to provide more information about your writing skills. Use logical transitions, a range of grammar and vocabulary, and leave time to check your work for errors. The subscores tested are Literacy and Production This type of question will appear once in the test Speaking Sample (Unscored) • • • • You are required to speak for 1-3 minutes in response to a written prompt. You will have 30 seconds to read the instructions and prepare your answer The video will be shared with the recipients of your results, so you will be visible to them and your response must be relevant It is recommended to practise this task to become familiar with the timing This type of question will appear once in the test COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 8 Useful links https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home https://englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions https://testcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us https://englishtest.duolingo.com/scores https://englishtest.duolingo.com/accommodations https://englishtest.duolingo.com/readiness https://duolingotestcenter.s3.amazonaws.com/media/resources/walkthrough/walkthrough-2022-0328.mp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q1UwoMCIZU PROCESS AWARENESS STRATEGIES SKILLS www.passenglishexam.com COPYRIGHT © 2022 JAMES DUNNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 9
