How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test (DET): Tips & Study Plan

Before you start your DET preparation, take time to understand the latest 2026 test pattern. The test includes adaptive and graded questions that assess your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Here’s how to begin:

• Take the official Duolingo free practice test (2026 update) to identify your current English level.
   
• Analyse your results to find weaker sections that need improvement.
   
• Create a balanced schedule giving extra time to your low-scoring areas.
   
• Use real-life English — listen to podcasts, read news articles, and engage in conversations daily.
   

Tip: A DET score of 120 = IELTS 6.5 band. You can strengthen your foundation using IELTS preparation materials. LeapScholar’s Learn It Yourself course (₹99) provides unlimited practice sets and helps improve all four skills effectively.

The speaking section evaluates how confidently and clearly you express yourself in English. Since fluency and pronunciation play a key role, consistent speaking practice is essential.

Expert Tips to Prepare:

• Practice everyday conversations in English with friends or peers. Ask them for feedback on pronunciation and tone.
   
• Record yourself speaking on random topics, replay it, and note your weak points.
   
• Repeat dialogues from movies or podcasts,  this enhances natural speech flow and vocabulary retention.
   
• Use sample Duolingo speaking prompts (2026 updated sets) to familiarise yourself with real test questions.
   
• Expand your vocabulary - learn topic-based words daily and use them in your conversations.
   
• Work on pronunciation and coherence - your ideas should connect logically without long pauses.
   

Pro tip: Focus on clarity, pace, and structure- short, well-organised answers always earn better scores.

Writing tasks in the DET measure your ability to organise, express, and support ideas logically under time constraints. To master this section, you must learn how to plan and type responses quickly. The Duolingo Writing Sample can be used for reference to prepare for the Duolingo English Test.

Key Strategies to Improve Writing:

• Write in English daily: Create short notes, daily journals, or even shopping lists in English to increase typing speed.
   
• Join online communities like Reddit or Quora: Respond to threads and engage in discussions to refine sentence structure and tone.
   
• Challenge yourself with random topics: Practise essays, story prompts, or opinion-based questions to strengthen spontaneity.
   
• Read extensively: Books, editorials, and blogs will expose you to diverse writing styles and vocabulary.
   
• Use new words and idioms naturally in your writing to show language range.
   
• Seek mentor feedback: Have your essays reviewed by English trainers or Leap experts for targeted improvement.

Regularly following these Duolingo English Test preparation tips will enhance your writing speed, grammar accuracy, and content organisation.

The reading section checks your comprehension and vocabulary through short passages or sentences. In 2026, the question formats are more contextual, testing your ability to understand both literal and implied meanings.

Reading Preparation Tips:

• Focus on main ideas and supporting details to build strong comprehension.
   
• Read diverse materials: newspapers, short stories, blogs, or eBooks.
   
• Learn new vocabulary and synonyms to understand complex texts quickly.
   
• Follow English news outlets like BBC, The Guardian, or Reuters to stay familiar with real-world usage.
   
• Engage with social media posts written in English to grasp informal language patterns.
   
• Practice regularly: At least 20-30 minutes of reading daily helps improve speed and understanding.
   

Incorporating these habits will not only prepare you for the Duolingo English Test but also make you more confident in everyday English reading situations.

The listening section measures your ability to understand spoken English in various accents and contexts. Since the DET uses natural conversational tones, real-world listening exposure is crucial.

Listening Practice Tips:

• Watch English shows, documentaries, or YouTube channels to understand diverse accents and pronunciation.
   
• Listen to English podcasts or audiobooks related to your interests.
   
• Practice active listening: Summarise what you hear to strengthen comprehension.
   
• Use subtitles smartly: Watch English movies with English subtitles to connect pronunciation with spelling.
   
• Expose yourself to multiple accents (British, American, Australian) through different media sources.
   
• Engage in real-time conversations - speaking with fluent English speakers also sharpens listening accuracy.
   

By following these methods, you’ll not only improve listening comprehension but also perform better in the speaking and writing sections.

Consistency determines success in DET preparation. Aim for 45–60 minutes of daily focused English practice and integrate all four skills- reading, writing, listening, and speaking into your schedule.

Example Routine:

• Day 1-3: Vocabulary and listening
   
• Day 4-6: Reading and writing
   
• Day 7: Speaking mock test + feedback review
   

Since the Duolingo English Test is adaptive, mix various question types during practice to simulate the real experience. Consistent exposure also helps reduce test-day stress and enhances your familiarity with the test interface.

Tip: Regularly attempt Duolingo English Test practice questions available on the official site or LeapScholar’s mock test library.

To score higher, use the most reliable and updated resources that match the 2026 exam pattern:

• Official Duolingo Practice Tests: Free and adaptive mock tests on the official DET website.
   
• English Learning Apps: Duolingo, BBC Learning English, ELSA Speak, and Grammarly for daily improvement.
   
• Online Study Communities: Reddit’s r/duolingo, Facebook DET groups, and LeapScholar discussion forums.
   
• YouTube Channels: Watch creators who explain DET question formats and strategies for 2026.
   

Using a mix of these resources will give you both concept clarity and real-test confidence.

Mastering how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test requires smart strategies, daily practice, and consistent feedback. Focus on one skill each day, build your vocabulary continuously, and simulate test conditions as much as possible.

Remember DET rewards clarity, accuracy, and confidence, not memorisation. Whether you’re just starting or improving your score, the right approach and mindset can make a huge difference.

If you’re planning to study abroad, LeapScholar’s expert mentors and DET preparation tools can help you achieve your dream score and secure admission to top universities worldwide.