Free Duolingo English Test Practice (2026)

Practice by question type

What is the Duolingo English Test? The 2026 format at a glance

The DET is taken from home on a computer with a webcam and microphone, and since September 2025 a second smartphone camera is required as well. It costs around 70 USD, scores are valid for two years, and you can take it up to three times in 30 days.

The test has three parts:

• Introduction and setup (5 minutes). You confirm your identity and set up your cameras.
• Adaptive test (45 minutes). All 13 question types are mixed together. The difficulty adjusts to your answers in real time. Unlike TOEFL or IELTS, there are no separate reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections.
• Writing and Speaking sample (10 minutes). You respond to prompts that are sent directly to the universities you choose. This section is not scored but is reviewed by admissions offices.

Format details reflect the official Duolingo English Test guide and 2026 test updates.

The 13 DET question types (2026)

The DET tests all four skills through 13 question types grouped by skill area. Since the July 2025 update, Interactive Speaking (with AI characters) replaced the older Read Aloud and Listen Then Speak tasks.

Reading and Literacy

• Read and Complete: fill in missing letters in an academic paragraph (3 minutes each, 3 to 6 per test).
• Fill in the Blanks: complete a single sentence with one missing word (about 20 seconds each, 6 to 9 per test).
• Read and Select: identify real English words from a mix of real and fake words (5 seconds each, 15 to 18 per set).
• Interactive Reading: read a passage and answer comprehension questions.

Listening and Comprehension

• Listen and Type: listen to a sentence or short passage and type what you hear.
• Interactive Listening: includes Listen and Complete, Listen and Respond, and Summarize the Conversation.

Writing and Production

• Write About the Photo: describe an image in writing.
• Interactive Writing (Read Then Write): read a prompt and write a response.
• Writing Sample: a longer written response sent to universities (unscored but reviewed).

Speaking and Conversation

• Speak About the Photo: describe an image aloud.
• Read Then Speak: read a prompt and respond verbally.
• Interactive Speaking: converse with AI characters (new for 2026, replaced Read Aloud and Listen Then Speak).
• Speaking Sample: a spoken response sent to universities (unscored but reviewed).

We are adding free interactive practice for more of these types. The three linked above are live now.

How the DET is scored

Scores run from 10 to 160 in five-point steps. You get an overall score plus eight subscores: four skill subscores (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) and four integrated subscores (Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production). Universities see all of them.

Many competitive programs look for scores of 120 and above, and roughly 115 to 130+ is a common range for selective universities. Always check the specific requirement of each program.

DET or TOEFL?

Not sure which test is right for you? Our TOEFL vs DET 2026 comparison covers format, scoring, acceptance, and which test fits your situation. If you decide on the TOEFL, visit the free TOEFL practice test for interactive drills across all four sections.

For TOEFL scoring, see the TOEFL 2026 score guide. For vocabulary, the TOEFL Vocabulary Voyage covers the academic words that appear on both tests.

If you want an expert to help you prepare for either test, Epic Exam Prep has prepared students for English proficiency exams since 2010.

Frequently asked questions