Complete Breakdown of the Real Duolingo English Test – July 2025 Update & Expert Insights

On July 1st, 2025, the Duolingo English Test (DET) officially launched its latest version. DETPractice's academic team responded swiftly, participating in seven rounds of testing to deeply analyze changes in question patterns and difficulty levels.

DETPractice participated in seven tests in total and will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the new version from three key aspects: [Question Order & Quantity], [Test Procedure Changes], and [Exam Insights].

Question Order and Quantity in the Duolingo English Test

Below is the frequency of question types from three of the tests:

Key Takeaways from Our Test Experiences:

1. The total number of questions remains consistent at 52. The number of questions for each type also remains stable. The "Read Aloud" question type has been removed. The "Listen and Type" section includes 9 questions, and "Read and Complete" has 3 questions—both unchanged from before.

2. All other question types appear independently and follow a fixed sequence.

3. The new “Interactive Listening” section includes a "Listening and Complete" part with 3-4 questions. The audio for the “Scenario” section can be played an unlimited number of times, and test-takers can pause at any moment to better capture key information. However, please note that the timer does not stop during playback. The fill-in-the-blank answers in Part 1 are varied, and the scoring rules are still being monitored.

4. A new section, “Interactive Speaking," has been added. It consists of two sets, each with three sub-questions, so there are six questions in total, not eight as previously indicated by Duolingo. This section will be adjusted in mock exams to match the official test format on DETPractice.

5. For the Interactive Speaking section, test-takers must manually click the "RECORD NOW" button after listening to the prompt. The audio can only be played once, and you’ll have 35 seconds per question to respond. It's crucial to stay focused and remember to start recording, as the timer begins as soon as the question loads. This new format may feel unfamiliar, so extra preparation is recommended.

Changes in the Duolingo English Test Procedure

1. ID Verification Comes First: After completing the system's microphone check and confirming the test rules, you will enter the second-camera setup phase. Use your phone or tablet camera to scan a QR code displayed on the screen and manually enter the verification code. Then, you'll be asked to select your nationality and ID type (passport/ID card).

2. Facial Capture: After granting camera access, the system uses the front-facing camera to capture a photo for facial recognition.

3. Document Capture: After the facial capture, you’ll be asked to take a photo of your ID. By default, the front camera is used, which may result in blurry images under low light. You may need to switch to the rear camera for a clearer shot.

4. Second Camera Confirmation: After your ID is verified, the rear camera on your secondary device will activate automatically. Adjust the device angle to capture your testing environment.

5. Improved Device Detection System: While using your phone to film your keyboard and monitor, a white detection box will appear on the computer screen, automatically identifying and capturing the area.

If your phone is positioned incorrectly or outside the detection range, the system will not validate your setup, and you won’t be able to proceed. This update ensures the test environment meets security standards.

Insights from the Latest Duolingo English Test

1. Before the Test:

ü When setting up the second device, there was significant lag during the camera connection step after entering the verification code and ID information. Switching from phone to tablet helped but delayed the process.

ü The system defaults to using the front-facing camera to scan the ID, which often causes glare from lighting. Only after multiple failed attempts did we realize that manually switching to the rear camera ensured clearer images.

ü The entire setup process took nearly 40 minutes, which can affect your mindset. We strongly recommend setting up well in advance, ensuring proper device positioning and a stable internet connection. Mental preparation for potential hiccups is equally important.

2. During the Test:

In the Interactive Listening section, audio can be paused and replayed, allowing you to control the pace and better locate key details. This flexibility helps boost accuracy and performance.

3. Test Difficulty:

Overall, the difficulty level remains consistent with previous versions. Question sequences are stable. Most of the changes involve removing or replacing existing items and do not significantly alter the structure of the exam. You can continue using your original preparation plan with confidence.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the latest version of the test introduces several adjustments and optimizations in terms of question types, test procedures, and difficulty control. However, the overall transition is smooth, and test-takers only need a short period of adaptation to handle it confidently.

The new question types are already available on DETPractice, and our mock exams will be updated very soon, to reflect the latest changes in both question formats and scoring criteria. This ensures our practice materials are fully aligned with the official exam in terms of structure and specific requirements, providing the most realistic and effective preparation experience.

We hope this information offers practical support and helps you achieve excellent results on your test.

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Further Reading：

Your Practical Duolingo English Test Guide for 2025

A comprehensive guide to the latest Duolingo English Test updates for 2025.