Hi, Teacher Luke here,

Let's go over five myths about the Duolingo English Test. 👇

Myth 1: You can write or speak about anything in the writing and speaking questions

This is the most dangerous myth on my list. The answer is no, you cannot do this. Even though the Duolingo English Test is not marked by a human, the AI marking software knows the exact topic and type of response required. So, be sure to answer the questions that you are given.

Myth 2: Finishing the questions quickly will get you a better score

This is not the case. The test does not care if you finish in 10 seconds or 30 seconds; you just simply need to complete the questions within the time limit. If you finish a task earlier, take 5 or 10 seconds to have a break and get ready for the next question.

Myth 3: Using the backspace will lose you points

This one is simply not true! You will only get marked after you click the next button and move on to the next question. You can change as much as you want before that, and you won’t get marked down at all!

Myth 4: You need a native accent to get a high score in speaking

This one is not true. You do not need a native British or American accent to get a high score in speaking; your local accent is fine. However, don’t confuse accent with pronunciation. You need to be able to use English pronunciation features effectively in order to get a good score. 

Myth 5: The Duolingo English test is easier than IELTS and TOEFL

In terms of English proficiency, this is not true. The Duolingo English Test, the IELTS, and the TOEFL all yield very similar results. For example, if you have a band 7 in IELTS then you’ll likely score between 115 and 120 on the Duolingo English Test. They are designed to yield similar results. However, in terms of logistics, the Duolingo English Test could be seen as being easier than the other tests simply because you can take it from your home and at a time that best suits you.

Do you want to study more with me?

Here's how:

1 - Practice Platform: www.practice.detready.com

Sign up for free. Practice all the 10 question types on the Duolingo Test and see the correct answers immediately. Works great on your computer and phone!

2 - Writing courses:

Writing about the topic (50+ words) course: https://bit.ly/duolingo50words

Writing about the photo course: https://bit.ly/duolingotestphoto

3- Speaking courses: Coming soon 😎

Keep on learning!

Teacher Luke