Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2026: All 13 Tasks & Timings

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online, computer-adaptive proficiency assessment designed to evaluate real-world English communication in academic settings. Unlike traditional fixed-question exams, the DET dynamically adjusts question difficulty in real time based on your performance, wrapping up the entire testing session in roughly 1 hour.

DET Exam Structure & Timing Breakdown

The test is divided into three consecutive parts:

• Quick Setup (5 Minutes): Non-graded administrative check to configure your webcam, microphone, speakers, and verify your identification document.

• Adaptive Test (45 Minutes): The core graded session consisting of 13 unique task types that test integrated language proficiencies.

• Ungraded Video & Writing Sample (10 Minutes): Open-ended interview responses sent directly to universities alongside your official scores for evaluation.

All 13 Question Types Covered in the Syllabus

The 13 tasks evaluate reading, writing, listening, and speaking through integrated practical challenges:

• Read and Complete: Fill in missing letters in words within an incomplete passage to demonstrate vocabulary and grammar precision (3 minutes).

• Read and Select: Review a list of words on screen and choose only real, existing English words (1 minute).

• Listen and Select: Listen to multiple audio snippets and identify which words are authentic English words (90 seconds).

• Listen and Type: Type out a short dictated sentence after listening to an audio recording played up to three times (1 minute).

• Read Aloud: Read a highlighted English sentence clearly into your microphone (20 seconds).

• Write About the Photo: Provide a descriptive written response about an image using one or more complete sentences (1 minute).

• Speak About the Photo: Verbally describe a displayed image for a minimum duration using natural speech (90 seconds).

• Read, Then Write: Compose an extended response of at least 50 words addressing an academic prompt (5 minutes).

• Read, Then Speak: Speak on an on-screen prompt covering common academic or situational topics (90 seconds).

• Listen, Then Speak: Listen to a spoken question through your headphones and answer verbally (90 seconds).

• Interactive Reading: Complete multi-step tasks comprising sentence completion, passage structuring, and identifying the main idea of a short text (7 to 8 minutes).

• Interactive Listening: Participate in simulated student-to-student or student-to-professor conversations by picking responses, followed by a summarizing task (4 to 5 minutes).

• Writing Sample & Speaking Sample: Extended open response prompts shared directly with receiving admissions teams (3 to 5 minutes).

DET Scoring Subscores (Scale: 10–160)

DET calculates your overall composite mark and provides 4 integrated subscores:

• Literacy: Evaluates your ability to read and write critically.

• Comprehension: Measures your capacity to listen and understand written and spoken material.

• Conversation: Reflects your practical proficiency in speaking and listening simultaneously.

• Production: Rates your active ability to express ideas through writing and speaking.

Save on Your DET Registration

Save on your official test fee by applying an Apex Vouchers Duolingo Promo Code at checkout when purchasing your exam package.