1. Speak and Write as Much as Possible There are five question types in the Duolingo English test where you will have to produce your own speaking and writing responses: Write About the Photo Speak About the Photo Read, Then Write Read, Then Speak Listen, Then Speak
The directions for each of these questions will inform you of the least amount of words you have to write or the least amount of seconds you have to speak. No matter what the minimum requirement, aim for the maximum. For all three speaking questions, you are instructed to speak between 30-90 seconds, aim for 90 seconds. For Write About the Photo questions, write as much as possible in the 60 seconds you are provided. For Read, Then Write questions, write as much as possible in the 5 minutes you are provided. Part of your grade is based on your grammatical and lexical complexity. The more you write and speak, the more opportunities you will have to show a wide range of grammar and vocabulary. If you hurry through these questions and follow the minimum requirements, it will be difficult to earn a score higher than 120.
2. Plan Out Your Week Take an hour out of your day and plan out your week. Set the time, place, and materials you plan to use Monday through Friday so you know what to do each day of the week.
3. Challenge Yourself, Take Practice Tests The Duolingo English Test contains five adaptive questions that become more difficult if you perform well at the beginning of the test. Read and Complete Read and Select Listen and Select Listen and Type Read Aloud
Do the harder questions. Challenge yourself. When you practice with more complex problems at home, it will build your confidence and improve your performance on test day.
4. Record Your Voice Many test-takers will prepare on their own, which is why it is critical that you record your voice when you practice speaking. After you record your voice, listen back to your response and identify one or two ways you can improve. After that, do the same response again.
Examples of questions you should ask yourself after recording your own response.
Speak About the Photo Self-Grading Rubric
Questions Notes1. Did I speak for at least 45 seconds? 2. Did I start by describing the foreground? 3. Did I provide additional details or inferences to expand on the foreground? 4. Did I give a description of the background? 5. Did I make at least two inferences in my response? 6. Did I provide enough descriptive words and specific vocabulary? 7. Did I speak at a natural and conversational pace for the majority of my response? 8. Did I have less than five vocal fillers (uh, um)? 9. What can I do next time to improve my score?
5. Set Up Your Testing Environment
Since the Duolingo English Test is a completely automated testing experience, there is extensive technology in place that tracks your eye movement, mouse movement, computer behavior, and room environment to ensure that you do not cheat when you take the exam.
Here are things to consider when you are setting you your testing environment for the Duolingo English test: Keep your eyes on the computer. If you look away for too long, it will invalidate your score. Do not have any other browser window open. If you try to navigate away from the test, it will invalidate your score. Take the test in a well-lit room. If you are ever in the dark, it will invalidate your score. Be sure you are alone in a quiet room. If there is too much background noise, it will invalidate your score. Check your microphone and Internet connection. If at any point your Internet connection drops off or your microphone does not work, it will invalidate your score. You are not allowed to use headphones during the test. Be sure your computer speakers work.
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