How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test?

Are you planning to take the Duolingo English Test to prove your English proficiency? This online test is gaining popularity worldwide as a dependable and accessible way to measure your language skills. With its student-friendly interface and flexible scheduling, the Duolingo English Test is an excellent choice for students, professionals, and immigrants who need to demonstrate their English language proficiency. But before you book your test date, it’s pivotal to prepare thoroughly to maximize your chances of success. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you know how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test and boost your confidence for your upcoming test day. We will also discuss the fees for the Duolingo test and how much does Duolingo English test costs for Indians. So let’s begin.

How to prepare for the Duolingo English Test

1. Understand the Test Format

1. The Duolingo English Test is an online test that consists of four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The test takes about an hour to complete, and you can take it from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere with a stable internet connection.
2. The reading section consists of multiple-choice questions that test your ability to understand written English texts. The writing section requires you to register short answers to questions, brief a passage, or complete a sentence. The listening section involves listening to audio recordings and answering questions about what you hear. Eventually, the speaking section requires you to speak into your device’s microphone and respond to prompts or questions.
3. Understanding the test format is essential for adequate preparation. You can familiarise yourself with the test structure by taking free online practice tests or using the Duolingo English Test-sanctioned practice platform.

2. Enhance Your Vocabulary

1. A rich vocabulary is crucial to acing the Duolingo English Test. It would be best if you were good in English to understand a wide range of words and expressions in different environments to perform well on the test. Also, having a good vocabulary will help you express your ideas more quickly and directly in the writing and speaking sections.
2. To increase and improve your vocabulary, you can use tools like flashcards, word lists, and vocabulary-structuring apps. You can also read English books, papers, and news daily to expose yourself to new words and expressions. Make sure to note down any new words and review them regularly to support your knowledge.

3. Exercise Your Writing Skills

1. The writing section of the Duolingo English Test requires the Individual to write short answers or essays. To perform well in this section, you should be capable of organising your thoughts, expressing your ideas consistently, and using the correct alphabet and punctuation.
2. To upgrade your writing skills, practice writing regularly on different subjects. You can use writing prompts or online writing courses to get started. Make sure to proofread your writing and ask for feedback from a school teacher or a native English speaker to identify your mistakes and areas for improvement.

4. Enhance Your Listening Skills

1. The Duolingo English Test’s listening portion asks you to listen to various audio files and respond to questions depending on what you hear. Practice listening to different English speakers’ accents, vocal tones, and speaking rates to improve your listening skills.
2. You can listen to various recordings similar to English podcasts, television shows, movies, and music to expose yourself to various English dialects and styles. Listen repeatedly, take notes, and play challenging portions to ensure you understand the content.

5. Speak English Regularly

1. You must speak into your device’s microphone to complete the speaking portion of the Duolingo English Test. You must feel confident enough to pronounce words correctly, use appropriate phrases and sentences, and express your ideas clearly and fluidly to do well on this portion.
2. Regularly practise speaking English with a companion or enrol in a language exchange program to advance your speaking abilities. You can use speech recognition software or applications to gain feedback on your pronunciation and fluency. Focus on utilising the proper language and alphabet, and seek input from an instructor or a native English speaker to determine your strengths and faults.

6. Manage Your Time Wisely

1. The Duolingo English Test is timed, so you must manage your time wisely to complete all sections within the distributed time. The reading and writing sections have a combined time limit of 45 minutes, while the listening and speaking sections have a combined time limit of 15 minutes.
2. To manage your time effectively, practice timed tests and develop a strategy for each section. For example, in the reading section, you can skim the text first to get a general idea, read the questions and go back to the text to find the answers. In the writing section, you can plan your answers and allocate time for proofreading and editing.

7. Get Familiar with the Technology

1. The Duolingo English Test is an online test, so getting familiar with the Technology and the platform is crucial before your test date. Test your internet connection, microphone, and camera to ensure they’re working correctly. You can also take a demo test to understand the platform and the test format.

8. Get Familiar with the Technology

1. Eventually, taking care of your well-being is essential to perform well on the Duolingo English Test. Ensure you get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and manage stress and anxiety. Taking care of your physical and internal health will help you stay focused, re-energised, and confident on test day.

Fees for the Duolingo test

As of 2023, the fee for a Duolingo test is $49, which is INR 4,000

How much does the Duolingo English test cost for Indians?

To make it clear, the fees of Duolingo are almost the same everywhere, so the answer to the question of how much the Duolingo English test costs Indians is $49.

How long does it take to prepare for Duolingo English Test?

The time taken to prepare for the Duolingo English test depends upon the Individual. Many factors, like an individual’s English skills, their understanding and grasping skills, etc., contribute to calculating the preparation time. Still, on average, it takes 1-2 months to get prepared for the exam.

Do you need help to pass the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test can be easier or tougher to pass based on your level of English proficiency and how well you prepare. The Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production, which evaluates your abilities, can be challenging for some test takers to finish. However, with enough preparation and practice, many people can ace the test and get the grade they need to achieve their goals, including getting into college, a job, or a visa.

Is Duolingo easier than IELTS?

Both the IELTS and the Duolingo English Test assess English language proficiency, yet they employ distinct formats and scoring systems. IELTS offers both in-person, paper-based and online options, while the Duolingo test is conducted exclusively online and adapts to the test-takers performance. The tests present unique challenges, and the difficulty isn’t inherently higher or lower in either; it hinges on individual strengths and areas needing improvement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test is- that an individual requires dedication, practice, and perseverance—understanding the test format and perfecting your vocabulary, writing, speaking, and listening skills to have a significant impact. Through this blog, we have also discussed the fees for the Duolingo test and how much does Duolingo English test costs for Indians.