Can You Look At The Keyboard During The Duolingo Test?

You may have heard that the Duolingo English Test’s AI eye-tracking system is strict.

But you’re unsure how it works and what would happen if you violated the rule.

You may wonder: Can I look at the keyboard during the Duolingo English test (DET)? Yes, you can look at your keyboard when you need to type—so if you’re asking, “Can I look at my keyboard?” the answer is yes, as long as you follow the test guidelines.

LUME understands your frustration and will give you the answer right away!

Key Takeaways

• Duolingo uses an AI system to track eye movement to ensure test fairness.
• Candidates can look at the keyboard during the Duolingo English Test (DET).
• The ideal time to move your gaze from the screen is no more than 3 seconds.
• Tips to train your eye focus on the screen will be revealed at the end of the article.

As long as you follow the rules and prepare properly, you have nothing to worry about during your test.

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What Duolingo English Test Rules Say About Your Eye Movement + Attention

One of the most important rules that you should not break during the Duolingo English Test (DET) is eye movement and attention. It is crucial to be aware of the rules regarding eye movement to avoid any unintentional violations.

You must keep your eyes on the screen at all times while taking the test, and looking away is prohibited.

Duolingo’s proctors will track your eye movement to ensure you don’t violate the rules.

If you look away, they might think you are reading from notes, using other devices, or getting help from someone else.

Even directing your eyes at some objects in the room, such as a clock, can affect your score certification.

The only time you can look away from the screen briefly is in the writing section.

During this part, you can have a glance at your keyboard to type your answers. To avoid mistakes that could lead to rule violations, make sure to read the official guidelines carefully before your test.

Can I Look At The Keyboard During The Duolingo Test? 

Yes, the Duolingo English Test (DET) allows candidates to look down at the keyboard while typing.

However, you should not do it for too long; otherwise, it means your result is not certified. If you look away from the screen for too long, a notification may appear to alert you.

Why Can’t You Look Away From The Screen?

Duolingo issues this strict rule to prevent cheating.

They’re afraid test-takers might be reading notes/ references or receiving help from someone behind the camera. It is important that no other person is present in the room during the test.

Always keeping your eyes on the screen is not 100% possible, as we tend to look around when we think and speak. However, the presence of other people in the room can lead to invalidation of the test.

However, with proper training and more practice with our tips (which will be mentioned in the section below), you can pass this challenge.

How Strict Is Duolingo English Test AI Eye Tracking?

Duolingo has a strict AI-based automated eye-tracking system that monitors candidates’ eye gaze to help proctors verify for any misconduct.

The AI algorithms used in the Duolingo English Test (DET) are evaluated rigorously and regularly to ensure the testing process is fair and secure.

By visualizing eye gazes during the test session, the system provides more objective data to the proctors.

Then, based on that, the proctors will check whether a candidate is looking in a similar direction.

At the same time, it can easily spot suspicious behaviors, such as using unauthorized resources. If such behavior is detected, it can be flagged by the AI system, and being flagged may impact the certification decision for your test.

Tips To Maintain Eye Contact With The Screen

Before starting your Duolingo test, it’s important to be fully ready by reviewing the rules, practicing, and setting up your environment. Following these tips will help ensure your success during the test.

Here are some valuable tips to help you avoid looking away from the screen:

Get Close to The Camera

The AI system is responsible for tracking your eye movement.

To ensure accurate monitoring, create an optimal camera setup that clearly captures your face and eyes. Proper camera placement is essential for compliance and test integrity.

However, if you lean too much backward/ too far from the camera, it can’t detect where you are looking.

Then, your result may not be certified.

Therefore, always get close to the camera so the system can understand where you are looking. Setting up a proper testing environment, including correct camera positioning and minimal distractions, helps the AI system function effectively.

Stay Center In The Frame

Staying too far to the side or too down or up makes you go out of the frame easily.

Yet, the proctors need to see your face, eyes, and ears throughout the entire test.

Thus, ensure the camera is at your eye level and that you are in the center of the frame. If the test requires a secondary camera, make sure it is set up correctly to provide a full view of your testing environment and prevent any blind spots.

Don’t Move Your Head Too Much

Keep in mind that the AI system is used to detect your eye movements.

It might “think” that you are cheating when you turn your head away from the camera or look down.

If you are looked at as suspicious by the AI, your result may not be certified.

Therefore, remember to keep your head up and your face visible directly to the camera.

Look Back Up To Check Your Work While Typing

As mentioned above, you can look at the keyboard during the Duolingo test.

However, the issue occurs when a candidate looks down to type for too long.

The best solution is to glance at the screen every 3 seconds while you’re typing to ensure the AI system can see your eyes. During speaking sections, maintaining eye contact is also important, as the test monitors your engagement. For speaking questions, make sure to keep your eyes on the screen to demonstrate focus and avoid any suspicion of seeking assistance.

Look At The Screen Even When You Are Thinking

There’s no problem with pausing and thinking, but always do it while maintaining your focus on the screen.

Each question type on the Duolingo English Test may require a different approach to maintaining eye contact, so practice strategies for each format.

Train yourself well with this habit, then you can avoid breaking the rule unintentionally.

Set Up A Bright Test Room

A well-lit environment is essential for the AI to capture your gaze.

If you need a lamp to light your room, make sure it’s over your head.

Or, you can put it behind your laptop (not behind you) so that your face is visible.

Also, ensure you are using the correct device for the test, as following device guidelines is important for test security and integrity.

Practice With Eye Movement Checking Tool

You can train your eyes by using a free online tool.

It will give you a topic to talk about within 3 minutes and will alert you if you don’t look straight.

You can also use a video tool to monitor your eye contact during practice.

By doing this, you’ll get used to where to place your gaze during the test.

Train Muscle Memory Typing Before The Test

It’s recommended to avoid being verified as cheating.

You should practice regularly and consistently so your fingers become familiar with the keyboard.

Gradually, you can type without looking down.

Taking a mock test can help you practice typing without looking at the keyboard in a real exam setting. Mock tests also provide scores, allowing you to evaluate your readiness and identify areas for improvement.

Note that you’d better focus on the accuracy first.

Then, you can increase your typing speed over time and practice.

What Happens If Duolingo English Test (DET) Flags Suspicious Eye Movement?

When your Duolingo English Test (DET) marks your eye movement as suspicious, expect these cases: Keep in mind that not only direct actions, but also background activities can lead to being flagged. Before starting the test, it is important to close all background programs, stop unnecessary services, and ensure no unnecessary applications are running. Any active programs can interfere with the test and should be closed to maintain test security and compliance.

• No certified result: The first and foremost potential outcome is that the test result is not certified.

Duolingo will not issue any certified score in this situation.

• Test invalidation: If it’s the first time you accidentally violate the rule, your test result will not be valid.

However, you can retake it without extra fees.

• Account suspension: If Duolingo determines that serious and intentional misconduct occurred, your account may be suspended for 1 year.
• In the worst case, you can never retake the test.

FAQs 

Why Shouldn’t You Look Away From The Screen?

You should not look away from the screen, even unintentionally, because this action can be deemed cheating.

It can lead to many consequences, such as uncertified results, invalidated previous results, temporarily suspended accounts, or permanently blocked accounts. 

How Can You Set Up The Camera To Ensure You Are In The Center?

If you take the test on a laptop, just sit straight and look right into the webcam.

But if you have a separate webcam, don’t put it on a side or over your head. 

Otherwise, the AI system can’t detect where your eyes are exactly. 

The best way is to put the camera in the same position as it is in the laptop. 

Can I Quickly Glance At My Keyboard For 1 Second?

Yes, you can do it.

Yet, make sure that your eyes leave the screen for no more than 3 seconds.

Is A Mechanical Keyboard Allowed?

Yes, it’s generally allowed in DET.

However, you can only use one keyboard throughout the test.

Also, you need to capture it with a required camera recording.

Conclusion

Can I look at the keyboard during the Duolingo English test (DET)?

In general, the answer is yes.

However, you should not stay there for more than 3 seconds.

Practice with our tips above to ensure eye contact with the screen and avoid uncertified results.

Related practice resources

• Duolingo English Test Vocabulary List: 500+ Essential Words
• Duolingo English Test (DET) Writing Sample Questions
• Duolingo English Test Cheat Sheet: Tips, Templates, Strategy

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