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What are the New Duolingo English Test Changes for 2026/2027?
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If you are using old practice materials from 2023 or 2024 to prepare for your Duolingo English Test (DET), you need to update your strategy immediately.
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New "Interactive Speaking" (AI Chatbot): This is the biggest change.
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Instead of talking to yourself, you will now engage in a live, adaptive conversation with an AI character (like Bea or Oscar).
What are the New Duolingo English Test Changes for 2026/2027?
If you are using old practice materials from 2023 or 2024 to prepare for your Duolingo English Test (DET), you need to update your strategy immediately. Duolingo rolled out massive structural changes in mid-2025 to prioritize real-world communication and combat AI cheating, establishing a totally new format for 2026 and 2027.
Table of Contents
The 3 Major Updates You Must Know
- Removal of Old Question Types: The classic "Read Aloud" and "Listen, Then Speak" tasks have been completely permanently retired.
- New "Interactive Speaking" (AI Chatbot): This is the biggest change. Instead of talking to yourself, you will now engage in a live, adaptive conversation with an AI character (like Bea or Oscar). You must respond to 6-8 consecutive prompts, having up to 35 seconds to record each response. The AI listens to what you say and bases its next question on your previous answer!
- The "Secondary Camera" Security Rule: To completely eliminate screen-sharing and off-screen cheating, Duolingo introduced a strict new proctoring rule in late 2025. You are now required to set up a secondary smartphone camera positioned behind you (showing your screen and surroundings) while taking the test on your laptop.
How to Score 130+ on the New Format
- Don't Memorize Templates: Because of the new Interactive Speaking and enhanced Interactive Listening sections, robotic, pre-memorized templates will crash your score. The AI looks for natural flow and context-awareness.
- Practice Active Listening: The new "Listen and Complete" task forces you to listen to an audio scenario rather than reading it. You cannot rely on reading skills to pass the listening section anymore.
- Setup Your Room Perfectly: With the new dual-camera security requirement, even a family member briefly walking into the background of your secondary camera will instantly invalidate your $59 test fee. Lock your door and ensure perfect lighting.
Written by the OpenCampusHub Editorial Team
Our global team of education and mobility experts is dedicated to verifying international opportunities. We ensure every guide meets strict standards for accuracy, leveraging official sources and real-world data.
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