Duolingo English Test Format & Question Types

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a short, computer-adaptive online English test. Its Interactive Reading block bundles several connected task types around a single passage.

Format

Adaptive, computer-delivered; difficulty adjusts as you answer.

Sections

Interactive Reading

Complete the Sentences, Complete the Passage, Highlight the Answer, Identify the Idea, and Title the Passage — built around one reading text.

Scoring note

"Highlight the Answer" is scored with partial credit based on how close your selection is to the target span.

Signature question types

Complete the Passage
Highlight the Answer (partial-credit selection)
Title the Passage

New to these formats? See the question-type glossary for how each one works.

Is it adaptive?

The DET is computer-adaptive — questions get harder or easier based on your answers.

Practice Duolingo English Test with AI Solve Quiz

AI Solve Quiz explains how Interactive Reading tasks fit together and why an answer is correct, which is useful when practicing with sample passages.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Duolingo English Test adaptive? ▼

Yes. The DET adjusts question difficulty in real time based on your performance, which is why it is much shorter than traditional tests.

Related exams

TOEFL iBT The TOEFL iBT measures academic English for university admission. A major format update takes effect on 21 January 2026, making the test shorter and adaptive. This guide covers the Reading section — the part built from selectable, answerable question types. IELTS Academic IELTS Academic assesses English for higher education and is taken by millions each year. Its Reading paper uses 11 well-defined question types — the focus for practice with a study tool. TOEIC Reading The TOEIC Reading test measures everyday workplace English. It is entirely multiple choice — 100 questions across Parts 5 to 7 in 75 minutes. Cambridge English The Cambridge English qualifications run from A2 Key (KET) up to C2 Proficiency (CPE). Across levels they reuse a recognizable set of Reading and Use of English question types — the answerable parts of each exam.

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