4 Commonly Broken Rules on the Duolingo English Test

Today we are discussing a tough topic - Duolingo English Test rules and requirements! Because taking an online test is different than being in a test center, there are several rules and requirements you MUST follow in order for your results to be certified by our expert (human!) proctors. Vanessa, a manager on the Duolingo English Test proctoring team, joins Caroline to talk about the 4 most commonly broken rules on the Duolingo English Test. We'll also give our best tips and tricks on how to avoid common mistakes or accidental rule breaking. Follow this advice for your best chance at achieving a certified test!

00:00 Intro
00:35 Looking away from the screen
01:47 Using external programs
03:05 Not alone in a quiet, private room
04:09 Using prepared or memorized answers

Resources mentioned:

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Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test, a high-stakes language assessment that can be taken online, any time, for only $49USD. Receive your results in 48 hours and send them to as many universities as you want, for free. The Duolingo English Test is accepted by thousands of universities around the world.

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[feni_]

Tips for certified DETs:
1. Home alone
2. End everything in Task Manager (or taskkill command in CMD if you want to be super cool)
3. Close all other browser tabs
4. Make the browser fullscreen
5. KEEP YOUR FRICKIN FACE IN THE WEBCAM (which is streamed directly to teachers)
6. Empty your room, all you need is your computer, internet and your brain

[adityagaikwad___]

Gave the test at 1:30 am to have it quiet all around, was extremely nervous. But the test was an incredible experience! Luckily got 155. :)

[EnglishTestPreparation]

This is awesome! A great video to share with all future test-takers. Thank you DET team!

[samuellai]

The practice test doesn't warn me that I violate the rules. And while I was taking the test, I always put my face and my vision on the screen; and 2 days later, it could not be certified. In other words, the rules are way too abundant and strict, and I want this test to lessen the chance of violation in the future.

[itsjust_marv]

I wrote the test a week ago and I was pretty nervous when I got a mail that my results were in. I took the test at home when nobody was around to ensure the environment remains quiet. Although I had glitches in my computer I still aced the test. I got a 135❤

[narayanthakor]

This message reaches someone willing to listen and address my concerns. I am writing with a heavy heart and a sense of disappointment, as I strongly suspect that Duolingo English Test is engaging in unfair practices during the evaluation of candidates' results.

Over the past few attempts, I have received unjustified allegations leading to the invalidation of my test results. These accusations have left me feeling as though I am being taken advantage of, and I cannot help but wonder if there is a hidden motive behind this recurring pattern. The nature of these allegations and their frequency raise serious doubts about the integrity of the evaluation process.

It seems apparent that Duolingo may be using these false reasons to invalidate results as a means to generate revenue. By coercing candidates into retaking the test, the organization can capitalize on their need to prove their language proficiency. This practice not only raises ethical concerns but also deeply damages the trust candidates place in the Duolingo English Test.

As a candidate who genuinely follows the rules and regulations of the test, I am disheartened to believe that my efforts are being undermined by dubious tactics. Instead of receiving a fair evaluation of my language skills, I feel as though I am being manipulated into purchasing the test multiple times under false pretenses.

I urge Duolingo to reevaluate its test evaluation process and provide transparency in handling candidates' results. Unnecessary allegations and unfair practices only serve to tarnish your reputation and create mistrust among test-takers. It is in everyone's best interest, including Duolingo, to maintain a fair and honest assessment system.

[zerixor]

I took the duolingo english test after feeling scammed by toefl where i, due to some technical difficulties, could not take the test. But after hearing the stories of people getting their tests invalidated i was really scared and nervous while taking the test to the point where i focused more on looking at the screen than the actual questions. Luckily my test got certified on my first attempt with a score of 150/160.

Although I would like to offer some feedback about the test. More specifically about the rule that you cannot look away from your screen, because focusing on the screen for a whole hour can be incredibly difficult, especially for people like me who instinctually looks away when i think or speak. Therefore i think a good alternative would be to do something similar to what toefl does with their home edition where you have to show the proctor a 360 degree view of your room/testing area before the test starts. That way the proctors can make sure that there are not any other materials within the test area that test takers could use to cheat on the test and it would allow you to be more lenient with people looking away from the screen.

[sanataqdees]

If your results got invalidated because you were “reading your responses” from somewhere or “didn’t look at the screen” for too long. Keep the following things in mind. I got my results invalidated twice. These are the things I did to get the valid result, the third time.

1. Take the test at night, so it is all quiet.
2. Keep your laptop at your arms’ length, so they can see more of the background. I was literally fully stretching my arms to write but the first two times I had the laptop near, my results were invalidated. Also, if you keep the laptop at arms length, the camera doesn't pick every slight eye movement and there are less chances of your results getting invalidated
3.Make sure that the camera is exactly at the level of your eyes and you are in the center of the frame. Use a scale to check that the camera is exactly at your eye level. Put something under your laptop if the camera is not the eyes’ level.
4. Also, I sat with a window in the background, so they could see all the reflection in the back and make sure there was no one around. You can keep a mirror in the back as well.
5. MOST IMPORTANT: close your eyes during the speaking sections or whenever you are not doing a task on screen. Just close your eyes, and speak so they know nobody is helping you out in any which way. whenever I had to take a break (after I was done with a question and there was still time left) and during the speaking sections, I closed my eyes.
6. You don’t have to look at the camera at all, only at screen.
7. Make a new login account on your computer, only for the test and use the app to take the test. So, there is nothing running in the background.

[shaonmostafij]

Hello, DET team, I think it is irony that you guess some speaking response is memorised or scripted! I gave the test and faced the issue to make my score uncertified. Even though I responded the speaking part instantly, but really confused how it considered as nemorised answer. It also left me in big trouble, I am not sure how I will respond in the coming speaking module. Is it considered from the answered texts or some gesture from the speaking video. I am not sure wheather I closed my eyes during some speaking. Waiting for your response.

[erdmanhuseyn]

This is the worst exam in my life. I took the test 7 times and did not get my results certified for the following rules and regulations “Don’t look far away from the screen blah blah.” Ha ha, I am educating people on what Duolingo is.

I know some people in my country cheat during exams; however, their results are certified. When it comes to me, despite the fact I follow all the rules and stare at the screen, they always send a cliche message.

I lost all my respect. I can teach some people what the rules are for Duolingo. It is a shame for them.

[remonmagdy]

Please, how to disable all programs that may Interrupt me while l taking the test ?

[jozefkvokacka]

I was disqualified because I had paper and pen on my table. During the test I did not look at that paper which is recorded. Was I tested for algebra or English language? Why Duolingo does not have live proctors who would remind me what objects they do not want to see on my table or around me? This approach is unfair and because refund it not possible, I consider this service as FRAUD.

[HossainMdMofazzel-xcjo]

thanks for info, is this allow take DET test via Smart phones?

[ayushrosh]

Duolingo team, it is really getting difficult to get a certified result. Please make some other arrangements to know about violations correctly or make some arrangements at Prometric centres

[sumaiya.alansar]

I was concerned about breaking the rules by mistake but it is pretty simple, just do as said in the intrusions and don't take your eyes form the screen, it should be fine, thank you team for your great work!

[farzadsafi]

Please provide a video concerning the registration process. I'm confused, will I show my ID card just at the beginning of the test?
Actually, my PC camera is not so HD, and my face I think would'nt be so visible to the Proctor. What should i do? Should I also need an HD camera?

[leesinagbi]

Hello! About the no phones allowed, I actually use the hotspot on my phone for my Laptop to access the internet. What should someone like me do in this condition?

[Abdul_Halim]

Thanks a lot for most very very important information. As beginner I need this information very much. I will have prepare with your rules. Thanks Again

[yxvgqvv]

below the screen camera on laptop is allowed??? please answer me because i have below the camera laptop and i am going to write the exam in few days....

[owzvucw]

Can they unblock or give a second chance if the account has been blocked?