How to study Duolingo English Test to get 120.
1) The reasons why I took DET
Doulingo English Test (DET) has become more common in recent years even though many people tend to take IELTS or TOEFL. I took IELTS three times in the year of 2023, but it was tough for me. (FYI : My score is 5.5, 6.0 and 6.0)
First and foremost, the cost of IELTS is very expensive. Secondly, but equally important, the test takers need to have a lot of time on the test's day. For these two reasons, I was a keen interest in DET on the grounds that DET is much cheaper and shorter than IETLS. Moreover, a university that I plan to apply has allowed us to use the DET's result for the application. That is why I started to study DET in December 2023.
2) My Results
Figure 1 is my results. I was able to archive the target score, which is 120 (and the minimum score of each component is 105.)
3)How to Practice
Literacy
My main weakness
Read and Complete
How to overcome
Practice with Arno in 40 minutes per day
Arno Link : (https://duolingo.goarno.io/questions)
My Strategy
First and foremost, I try to skim an essay before answering questions. This helped me to guess vocabulary.
Comprehension
My main weakness
Listen and Type
How to overcome
Practice with Arno in 40 minutes per day
My Strategy
I did not have specific strategy for this question.
However, after answering the practice test, I try to read aloud without answer's script, allowing me to enhance my grammar and vocabulary skills.
Conversation
My main weakness
Listen and Speak
How to overcome
Use DET Ready for 25 minutes per day
DET Ready link : (https://practice.detready.com/)
My Strategy
Even though you can listen three times, you should start thinking ideas to answer it as long as you can understand the question at first time.
This enables me to organise my thoughts, allowing me to answer smoothly.
Production
My main weakness
Speak about Photo
Read then Speak
Speaking Sample
How to overcome
Since February 2024, I have taken three online lessons per day on DMM to overcome my three weaknesses.
In addition to that, I watch this one (https://learn.detready.com/31b9d27a-3345-4b9b-aade-41d3f5a1c91c), which has led to boosting my production score.
Regarding writing parts, I like writing but try to write an essay every single day, with Arno (https://duolingo.goarno.io/questions).
My Strategy
I believe that keeping it simple is the most important skill in this test because the time is limited and short.
Furthermore, you do not use the vocabulary and grammar that you are not familiar with in the test.
4)Practice test is also vital to boost my stamina.
On 10 March, I was so tired during the test time. I guess I did not have much power to finish the test. That is why I practiced test 10 times between 10 Mar and 24 Mar. This allowed me to enhance my stamina, contributing to focusing on the test.