The Duolingo English Test is a flexible online English proficiency exam used by international applicants. You can take it from home, receive your results within two days and use your score to apply to more than 6,500 university programmes worldwide.
However, like any important exam, success depends on more than your English skills. The test comes with its own format, technical requirements and security rules, and a little preparation can help you avoid simple mistakes that may compromise your exam.
This article focuses on the most common mistakes that may prevent your results from being certified. For device, identification and room requirements, check our complete Duolingo English Test setup guide.
1. Not understanding the test format
Some students assume that strong English skills alone are enough. While it’s important to be confident in your language abilities, even students with strong English skills may perform below their potential if they do not understand the question types and time limits.
You can practice with the free official practice test, which is adaptive and therefore unlimited, to learn the different question types and to understand the time limits. Learn how the speaking and writing tasks are assessed and practised with the evaluation criteria in mind.
Completing practice tests beforehand helps you feel more confident and reduces surprises on the day.
You can also record yourself speaking to review your pronunciation and fluency. Even a small amount of regular practice can improve your confidence on the test day.
For more practical advice, read our guide on how to prepare for the Duolingo English Test.
2. Not checking your equipment and ID
Because you take the Duolingo English Test from home, you are responsible for making sure your equipment works correctly.
Before test day, check that you have:
A compatible laptop or desktop computer
A smart phone device to complete secondary camera requirement!
A reliable internet connection
A working computer camera, microphone and speakers
The latest version of the Duolingo English Test desktop app
An accepted, government-issued photo ID
Test your cameras, microphone, and speakers in advance. Do not wait until the test begins to discover a technical problem.
The identification documents accepted by Duolingo vary by country, so check the requirements for your location and make sure your ID is valid and clearly readable.
Operating-system and identification requirements can change. Check our Duolingo English Test setup guide and confirm the latest official requirements before taking the test.
3. Taking the test in an unsuitable environment
You must take the Duolingo English Test alone in a quiet, private and well-lit room. Noise, another person entering the room or unnecessary objects around you may interfere with your test and affect the certification of your results.
Before starting:
- Choose a room with a door you can close.
- Ask everyone nearby not to enter or speak to you.
- Turn off televisions, music and other sources of noise.
- Keep pets outside the room if they may distract you.
- Clear papers, books and other restricted objects from your desk.
- Remove electronic devices that are not required for the test.
- Check that your face and testing area are clearly visible.
Prepare the room before opening the test. Once the session begins, avoid leaving your seat or making changes to your surroundings.
4. Leaving other apps open on your computer
When you take the Duolingo English Test, the test desktop app should be the only application running on your computer. Even an app open in the background may affect the certification of your results.
Before starting, fully close:
- Web browsers
- Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Slack
- Communication tools such as Skype and Discord
- Streaming platforms such as Twitch
- Remote-access software such as TeamViewer
- Writing, spelling and grammar tools
- Apps that can use your webcam or share your screen
Closing an app window may not stop the app from running. On Windows, check the system tray and Task Manager for applications that are still active. On a Mac, right-click each app icon and select ‘Quit’.
You do not need to stop essential Windows or macOS processes. Focus on applications you have opened or installed. If you are unsure whether a video-calling, screen-sharing or writing app has closed completely, consider temporarily uninstalling it. You can reinstall it after the test.
You must also take the test directly through a supported operating system. Virtual machines are not allowed.
5. Looking away from the screen for too long
Keep your attention on the computer screen throughout the test, particularly when answering speaking questions. Repeatedly looking away, looking off-screen for a long time or looking elsewhere while speaking may be treated as suspicious behaviour.
You can look down at your keyboard while typing. This is expected and should not affect the certification of your results. However, if you need time to think during a speaking task, continue looking towards the screen.
A brief, natural glance is different from repeatedly or deliberately looking off-screen. The safest approach is to keep your gaze focused on the screen whenever you are not typing.
6. Using predictive text or writing-assistance tools
Predictive text, proofreading software and writing assistants are not allowed during the Duolingo English Test. These tools can suggest, correct or improve your answers while you type.
This includes:
- Predictive text that suggests complete words
- Automatic spelling and grammar correction
- Writing tools such as Grammarly
- Browser extensions or desktop apps that improve written text
- Non-Latin input methods that generate text from typed letters, such as pinyin
Before starting, disable predictive text and make sure all writing-assistance software is completely closed. Use the system checks described in the previous section to confirm that these tools are not still running in the background.
If you have several keyboard inputs installed, select the keyboard you need to write in English and disable non-Latin input methods for the duration of the test. If a writing tool cannot be disabled reliably, temporarily uninstall it.
7. Positioning your phone camera incorrectly
Your phone camera must record your full computer screen and keyboard throughout the test. If your phone moves and either is no longer visible, your test may be invalidated.
Before starting:
- Place your phone horizontally for greater stability.
- Lean it against a heavy, secure object.
- Check the camera view shown on your computer.
- Confirm that the full screen and keyboard are visible.
- Turn on ‘Do Not Disturb’.
- Check that no contacts or apps can bypass this setting.
Once the test begins, do not touch or move your phone. If it falls or shifts, reposition it immediately so that the camera can again record your full screen and keyboard, then continue the test.
Get ready!
Preparing in advance and avoiding these common mistakes allows you to focus on what matters most: certifying your English skills and submitting a strong university application.
