15 Proven Duolingo Speaking Test Tips For High Scores
Nervous, blank mind, and the timer ticking down!
That’s what many test-takers feel during the Duolingo speaking test.
If you’ve been there too, don’t worry!
In this post, LUME Test will provide you with 15 practical tips for the Duolingo speaking test to help you stay calm, clear, and confident.
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The Duolingo exam consists of 5 different types of speaking tasks to assess your pronunciation, fluency, and ability to express ideas clearly.
This task is all about pronunciation.
You’ll see a sentence on the screen, and your mission is to read it out loud.
It’s short, simple, and usually comes up between 4 and 6 times throughout the test.
Like the name itself, this task will provide you with a picture and ask you to talk about it for up to 90 seconds.
You only get this question once, so you need to show how well you can describe what you see and add some interpretation.
In this task, you’ll read a written prompt and then respond to it by showing how well you can form and express your ideas verbally.
Like the ‘Speak about the photo’ task, this one also appears just once.
Similar to the previous task, but instead of reading the prompt, you’ll hear it.
You can replay the audio up to 3 times before answering.
You will do this type of question twice on the test.
The ‘Speaking Sample’ task is a bit longer.
You’ll be given a prompt and have 3 full minutes to respond.
What makes this part unique is that you’re also recorded on video, and the clip is sent along with your results.
You should choose a calm, silent place before you begin your Duolingo speaking test.
If people are talking nearby or other background sounds, the system might not catch your words clearly, and this can affect your score.
Thus, a peaceful space helps your voice come through better and keeps distractions away.
Having a good microphone really helps with the speaking test.
If your voice sounds muffled or too quiet, the system might not hear you clearly, which can bring down your score.
That’s why it’s smart to check your mic before starting.
If your laptop mic isn’t working well, switch to a better one or use headphones with a built-in mic.
Also, make sure nothing is blocking it and that it’s close enough to record your voice properly.
When you’re taking the DET, it’s important to slow down and speak clearly.
Sometimes, when we’re nervous or rushed, we tend to speak faster, but that can make it harder to pronounce words well.
So, how to avoid this?
You can imagine you’re talking to someone who has trouble hearing, like an older person.
It will help you focus on speaking slowly and clearly.
Instead of repeating the same words, you can mix it up with synonyms.
For example, rather than always saying “good,” you can use words like “great,” “fantastic,” and “awesome.”
It really makes your speech more engaging.
To build your vocabulary, you should pay attention to how native speakers use different words in context.
You can watch English movies or listen to podcasts, noting down new words and their meanings, then practice using them every day.
It’s really common for people to start every sentence the same way, especially during speaking tests.
You might catch yourself saying “I see…” or “There is…” over and over.
It’s not wrong, but it gets repetitive and doesn’t show much variety.
If you want to improve your score, you can spice up your sentence structure a bit.
One easy way to do this is by using connecting words.
They help you join ideas and make your responses flow better.
Words like “and,” “but,” “so,” “because,” “however,” “in fact,” and “for example” can really help your answers sound more natural and connected.
Even small changes like saying “first,” “second,” and third” when listing things can show more structure in your response.
Mistakes happen, even to native speakers, so don’t let one small slip throw you off during the test.
If you mess up a word or say something awkward, just keep talking.
What matters more is how confidently and smoothly you continue.
The test only gives you one time to record, so stopping in the middle or trying to start over will only lower your score.
All you need to do is stay calm and keep your thoughts flowing.
A common mistake many test-takers make is trying to use big, fancy words during the test.
It might seem like a good way to impress, but if you’re not used to those words, they may lower your score.
You might say them wrong or use them in the wrong way.
So it’s much safer to choose words you know well and can say clearly.
If a word feels tricky to pronounce, just pick a simpler one instead.
Just remember that clear and confident speech always sounds better than complicated but confusing sentences.
One thing you definitely want to do during the Duolingo speaking test is use the full time you’re given.
If your answer is too short, the system won’t have enough to judge your skills properly, which can affect your score.
Even when you feel like you’ve said your main point, try to keep talking, add a reason, give an example, or explain a bit more.
Finishing early doesn’t give you extra time on the next question, so it’s better to make the most of every second you have.
A great way to get ready for the real test is to take mock tests.
They give you a feel for what the actual exam will be like, so you’ll be well-prepared on test day.
With LUME, you can practice with mock tests and question banks that imitate the real test.
Plus, the AI scoring gives you an instant score and feedback, helping you see where you’re doing well and what still needs improvement.
It’s a solid way to build confidence, improve steadily, and make sure you’re ready when the time comes.
Improving your speaking skills takes daily effort, and there are some simple ways to build it into your everyday routine.
A good place to start is by chatting with a friend.
If you know someone who’s also learning English, you can agree on a regular time to talk, maybe 10 to 15 minutes a day.
Choosing some interesting topics and preparing a few questions in advance can guide your conversation.
Another great technique is shadowing.
You need to listen closely to a native speaker and repeat what they say as accurately as you can.
First, you can watch or listen to the full clip without stopping.
Pay attention to how the speaker says things, like their tone, rhythm, and pronunciation.
Then, go back and repeat each sentence out loud, one by one, trying to sound as close to the speaker as possible.
You can also record yourself speaking.
It helps you hear your own voice, spot small mistakes, and understand what to work on.
The most important thing is to keep practicing regularly, as speaking even a little every day makes a big difference over time.
One helpful habit you can build is thinking in English.
A lot of people believe they can’t do it because they feel their English isn’t good enough yet.
But the truth is, you don’t need to use long or complicated sentences in your head.
Simple thoughts like “I feel great today,” or “That was fun,” or even “Let’s try again” are totally enough.
These short sentences are easy to create and help your mind get used to using English naturally.
There’s no need to worry too much about your accent.
Everyone has one, and it’s completely natural.
What really matters is being clear and easy to understand when you speak.
If people can follow what you’re saying, then your accent isn’t something to stress over.
Still, it’s a good idea to notice which English sounds are a bit tricky for you and work on those.
Also, focus on how your voice rises and falls, or which words you put more emphasis on.
These small details can help your speech sound more natural and easier to follow.
When it comes to speaking tests, you should avoid using filler words, such as “um,” “uh,” “you know,” and “like,” when you speak.
These usually pop up when we’re unsure of what to say next, but using them too much can make you sound less confident or less prepared.
Instead, you need to take a short pause if you need a moment to think.
A little silence is much better than filling the space with words that don’t mean anything.
When it comes to the “Speak About the Photo” questions on the Duolingo test, one of the best things you can do is practice how to describe images in more detail.
A good trick is to use the 5 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
These questions help you build a full picture in your mind so you can talk more naturally.
For example, if you see people in the photo, think about what they might be doing, how they might be feeling, or why they’re in that situation.
If it’s just objects like cars or buildings, describe their position, the setting, and what the scene might mean.
You don’t need to answer every single W perfectly, as sometimes there’s not enough info.
That’s fine!
The goal is to give a thoughtful and complete response, even if you have to use a bit of imagination.
You don’t need to have a perfect accent, but you should focus on being clear and easy to understand.
It’s necessary to focus on sounds that are different from your native language, like the “th” sound in “think” or “this.”
Besides, you can use tongue twisters.
They’re fun and great for training your mouth to move smoothly.
Talking to yourself out loud is another simple way to practice.
You can try describing what you’re doing at home, like “I’m making coffee now” or “Time to fold the laundry.”
And if you enjoy music, singing English songs is a fun way to get used to the natural rhythm and pronunciation of the language.
And that’s it!
These tips for the Duolingo speaking test will help you feel more prepared and confident.
All you need to remember is to stay calm, speak clearly, and keep practicing.
It’s about expressing yourself naturally and with confidence.
The more you practice, the easier it’ll get!
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Want to ACE the Duolingo English Test And Reach Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ THOUSANDS of PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
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