DET (Duolingo English Test) Rules / My Experience / Stories from the Test Team

Hi everyone, I'm David, an official DET partner and founder of Ace DET (DET 155/160). We run a free open class every month. You're all welcome to sign up!

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Following my earlier introduction to the Duolingo English Test (DET), in this post I've put together a checklist of the rules that matter most when you take the DET at home and how they're actually enforced. I've added my own test-day experience and some stories the DET team has shared with me as an official partner, so you can understand the test better, stay calm, and not worry about having your test canceled.

Compared with the TOEFL Home Edition, where scores are canceled again and again, DET's remote online proctoring is more humane. Let's take a look.

A. Equipment rules + how I prepared

1. Two devices: your main device is a computer (you answer on a desktop or laptop), plus a second device (phone or tablet) that records your screen and keyboard. A tripod is a good idea to hold the angle steady.

2. No notes: there can be no paper or pen on your desk.

3. External keyboards/speakers/microphones are allowed, but you can use only one keyboard and can't switch back and forth. Speakers can be built-in or external. Headphones are never allowed.

4. An external monitor is allowed, but dual monitors are not: the proctor needs to see the monitor you're using plus your keyboard through your second device.

5. No VPN.

6. Both cameras stay on the whole time. The test device must show your entire face, and the second device must fully capture your screen and keyboard.

B. Testing environment requirements + examples of interruptions

1. Avoid interacting with anyone as much as possible, and keep it quiet. Before the test starts, I tell my family outside the room, “Please don't disturb me for the next 1.5 hours.”

Interestingly, the DET team has shared two real cases where the test taker was interrupted or interacted with someone, but the score wasn't canceled:

In one, a family member shouted “Dinner's ready!” from outside the door, and the test taker didn't answer. It was ruled “no suspicion of cheating,” and the score stood.

In the other, the test taker's pet jumped onto the desk, and the test taker shooed it off with a “shh shh.” Again, the score wasn't canceled. The key is to sort things out with the people around you beforehand.

2. A new rule added in September: before the test starts, you need to use the second device to film a 360-degree view of the first device's screen and keyboard. You don't need to show the whole room.

C. Conduct rules during the test + my own experience

1. Don't look away from the screen for too long. A quick glance around while you think is acceptable, but don't stare to the side or behind you for long, or you may be suspected of using notes.

During my test I actually looked elsewhere often, since that's normal when you're thinking. I just reminded myself that they care about it and brought my eyes back once I'd finished thinking,

2. Don't keep staring at the keyboard while typing either. Checking key positions now and then is fine, but most of the time keep your eyes on the screen and check what you've actually typed. This is another thing the DET team cares about.

3. Try not to make noise on questions that aren't speaking questions. I talk to myself (think out loud) on all kinds of question types, but quietly and not for long. Whatever the mic picked up was related to what I was typing, and in the end my test wasn't canceled.

So you don't have to stay silent from start to finish, but know that this is something the DET team pays attention to.

D. Software + my unexpected moment

DET runs on dedicated test software that you need to download in advance. If you leave the test screen, the system immediately shows a warning telling you to return to the test right away; otherwise your test may be canceled.

During the listening section, I wanted to adjust the volume and accidentally switched to another desktop. I got a warning instantly; going back to the test within 3-5 seconds was fine. Before you start, I suggest turning the volume up a bit, raising the brightness, turning on Do Not Disturb, and switching off notifications.

If you're unlucky and your score does get canceled, don't be too discouraged.

The reason will be shown on your score report page, and you'll be sent a retake discount code so you can take the test again for free (what you lose is time).

My impression is that the rules aren't designed to trip you up. As long as you get your equipment and environment ready in advance and remind yourself what to watch for during the test, you can just focus on the test itself.

That's all I wanted to share~~