The Duolingo English Test (DET) has gained global acceptance among universities as a reliable measure of English language proficiency. As a computer-adaptive test, it evaluates candidates across four core skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—within a 60-minute online session. However, despite its accessible format, students often underperform due to avoidable mistakes.
To help test takers achieve higher scores, this blog highlights common pitfalls in each section of the DET, offers research-backed tips, and emphasizes strategic preparation to maximize results.
1. Mistakes to Avoid in the Reading Section
The reading component of DET is not a standalone section but is assessed through integrated tasks like “Read and Complete,” “Read and Select,” and “Read Aloud.”
🔴 Common Mistakes:
Skimming without comprehension: Many candidates rush through passages and rely on partial understanding.
Guessing unknown words: Instead of applying contextual clues, they often make random guesses.
Not practicing word forms: Vocabulary questions test nuances such as noun/adjective/adverb forms.
Ignoring spelling rules: Spelling mistakes, even for correct answers, are penalized.
✅ Tips to Score Higher:
Focus on root words and prefixes to derive meanings of unfamiliar terms.
Read academic journals or news articles regularly to improve comprehension.
Practice homophones and word families to reduce lexical errors.
🧠 Fact: According to Duolingo’s scoring algorithm, reading accuracy contributes to over 25% of the overall proficiency score due to its presence in multiple question types.
2. Mistakes to Avoid in the Writing Section
DET includes writing through tasks like “Write About the Photo,” “Write the Missing Letters,” and “Write a Short/Long Essay.”
🔴 Common Mistakes:
Poor sentence structure: Run-on sentences and lack of punctuation lead to lower scores.
Repetition of vocabulary: Overusing basic words (e.g., good, bad, nice) instead of synonyms.
Ignoring the prompt: Writing off-topic responses often leads to a zero in task relevance.
Low word count: Responses under 50–60 words often fail to meet criteria in long-response tasks.
✅ Tips to Score Higher:
Use complex and compound sentences to demonstrate grammatical range.
Learn transition words like “moreover,” “consequently,” and “however” to improve flow.
Aim for 120–150 words in long response questions to ensure depth without overextending.
🧠 Fact: Essays that show a diverse vocabulary and idea progression can increase writing sub-scores by up to 15 points, based on DET's official scoring analytics.
3. Mistakes to Avoid in the Listening Section
Listening is measured through audio-based items such as “Listen and Type,” “Dictation,” and “Speaking about a Topic.”
🔴 Common Mistakes:
Not focusing on the full audio: Candidates often type the first few words and miss the rest.
Misinterpreting accents: Non-native accents in practice materials can throw off comprehension.
Typing while listening: Multitasking reduces retention and causes errors.
Neglecting practice with noise: Real test conditions may include slight background noise.
✅ Tips to Score Higher:
Use headphones during practice to mimic real test settings.
Train with diverse accents (British, American, Australian) on platforms like TED Talks or BBC Learning English.
Listen to short audio clips and try to repeat them verbatim for dictation practice.
🧠 Fact: According to Duolingo’s scoring insights, listening accuracy correlates closely with speaking fluency, as listening-based cues help with intonation and pronunciation.
4. Mistakes to Avoid in the Speaking Section
Speaking proficiency is tested through "Speak About the Photo," “Speak the Sentence,” and “Speak on a Topic” questions.
🔴 Common Mistakes:
Speaking too fast or too slow: Either can affect pronunciation and fluency ratings.
Monotone delivery: Lack of intonation impacts your spoken expression score.
Overusing filler words: Words like “um,” “you know,” and “like” reduce fluency scores.
Inconsistent volume: Speaking too softly or loudly may lead to inaudible submissions.
✅ Tips to Score Higher:
Maintain a moderate and clear pace—about 120 words per minute.
Focus on natural intonation and rhythm by shadowing native speakers.
Avoid fillers by practicing structured responses using PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point).
🧠 Fact: Duolingo's AI analyzes pitch variation and rhythm to assess naturalness in speech. Speaking naturally with emotion can raise scores by up to 20% in this section.
5. Time Management Mistakes Across the Test
Since the entire test is 60 minutes, and most tasks are time-bound (15–90 seconds), poor time management affects overall performance.
🔴 Common Mistakes:
Spending too long planning written/speaking responses.
Pausing mid-sentence in speaking tasks due to lack of prep.
Rushing through instructions without reading them properly.
✅ Tips to Score Higher:
Use 15–20 seconds to structure your response in speaking/writing.
Practice in timed settings to get comfortable with pressure.
Read task instructions during practice to avoid confusion on test day.
🧠 Fact: Candidates who complete all tasks with full-time usage tend to score 10–15 points higher compared to those who skip or rush sections.
Bonus Tips to Maximize DET Score
Use AI-based mock tests to simulate the real exam environment.
Record your responses and self-evaluate with rubrics similar to Duolingo's criteria.
Analyze your past performance and create a mistake journal for focused revision.
Why You Should Practice with Gurully’s DET Mock Test
Preparing smartly is just as important as preparing hard. That’s where Gurully’s Free Duolingo English Test Mock Tests come in.
AI-powered Scoring: Instant and accurate feedback based on real DET parameters.
Real Exam Interface: Practice in an environment that mirrors the official test.
Unlimited Practice: Cover all question types including the most recent 2025 updates.
Detailed Analytics: Get clarity on where you stand and which skills to improve.
Thousands of test-takers have already used Gurully to improve their scores. If you're aiming for a top-tier university or visa application, don’t rely on guesswork—rely on practice that works.
📌 Final Words
The Duolingo English Test may seem straightforward, but subtle mistakes can derail even well-prepared candidates. By understanding and avoiding these common errors—and committing to structured, AI-assisted practice—you can greatly increase your chances of success.
Start preparing smarter today with Gurully. Your high score is just one mock test away.
Practice Your Duolingo Enlish Test here - https://www.gurully.com/duolingo
