Developing a clear, actionable study plan is essential when preparing for the Duolingo English Test (DET). At DET Practice Test, we know that a successful prep strategy should balance real-world skill-building, mock testing, and personal feedback. That’s why we’ve put together five thoroughly-developed study plans, each with week-by-week or day-by-day guidance. These plans suit a range of timelines, learning preferences, and goals—whether you have just one week or want to build a foundation over a full month. Our unique platform features like adaptive mock exams and AI-driven feedback can be incorporated throughout each plan for a real test-day experience.
5 Duolingo English Test 1 Month Study Plans
The DET isn’t about memorization—it’s about demonstrating real language abilities across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Adopting a structured schedule lets you systematically build these skills, identify weaknesses early, and avoid last-minute cramming. With global acceptance and growing competition, a disciplined and personalized plan helps set you apart.
Plan 1: One-Week Intensive DET Study Plan
This plan is designed for those with a looming test date or strong English skills who need a focused final push.
- Day 1: DET Overview & Self-Assessment
- Familiarize yourself with the DET’s structure and question types using the DET Practice Test free mock exam.
- Note which sections (e.g. Read Aloud, Write About the Photo, Speaking) feel challenging.
- Day 2-3: Literacy & Comprehension (Reading + Listening Focus)
- Tackle adaptive practice sets targeting your reading accuracy and speed.
- Listen to short podcasts or news clips, summarizing main points and unfamiliar vocabulary.
- Answer “Listen & Select” and “Listen & Type” exercises from our question bank.
- Day 4-5: Production & Speaking (Writing + Speaking Focus)
- Practice “Write About the Photo” with a timer, aiming for clear, varied sentences.
- Record yourself responding to speaking prompts (try the mock exam’s feedback feature).
- Review AI-based feedback to spot weak grammar or pronunciation areas, and revisit those exercises.
- Day 6: Strategic Review
- Revisit the toughest question types and make notes of recurring mistakes.
- Try a mini full-length mock test under timed conditions to simulate the pressure of test day.
- Day 7: Full Practice & Test Readiness
- Take another complete DET mock exam on our platform.
- Review instant analytics, focusing on pacing, accuracy, and how your scores compare to your ideal result.
Plan 2: Two-Week Accelerated Study Plan for DET
If you have two weeks, you can reinforce each core skill—and gain enough practice to fill major knowledge gaps.
- Week 1: Foundation & Familiarization
- Day 1: Complete a full-length free mock DET to establish your current level.
- Days 2-3: Focus on literacy—practice reading and writing with DET question types and review grammar tips provided on our platform.
- Days 4-5: Tackle comprehension—listen to DET-style audio, transcribe, and answer comprehension questions. Explore listening analytics for mistakes.
- Days 6-7: Begin speaking and writing tasks. Try the “Speak About the Photo” or “Read Aloud” sections and get instant AI-scored feedback.
- Week 2: Deep Practice & Strategy Refinement
- Days 8-10: Drill your weakest areas identified in analytics. Use the targeted practice sets (over 160 on our site) by skill.
- Days 11-12: Work on timing—practice under real exam conditions. Revisit FAQs about how to manage time per section.
- Days 13-14: Sit a complete timed exam, analyze results, and polish your test-day routine (room set-up, ID ready, environment check).
Plan 3: Four-Week (One Month) Deep DET Preparation Plan
For maximum confidence, the month-long plan builds skills, adapts to your progress, and creates test-day endurance.
- Week 1: Core English Review
- Start with vocabulary boosters—aim for 10-15 new academic or DET-specific words daily.
- Complete reading and listening practice in small, regular sessions.
- Week 2: DET Practice by Section
- Alternate days between writing (e.g. “Write About the Photo”, “Write Review”) and speaking (e.g. “Read Aloud”, “Describe Image”).
- Review your AI feedback carefully for patterns (e.g. short answers, repetition, verb tense errors).
- Week 3: Mock Testing and Analysis
- Take at least two full-length practice exams—review detailed analytics to see score improvements.
- Repeat weaker question types from our question bank (over 10,000 fresh items weekly).
- Week 4: Stress Testing and Final Polish
- Alternate between high-difficulty practice sets and mock tests with stricter timing.
- Read our explainer blogs—like Mastering Duolingo Interactive Speaking for top scoring strategies on new sections.
- Review all full exam attempts and log your score trajectory to build final week confidence.
Plan 4: Customized “Focus-on-Weakness” Study Plan
If you’ve already attempted the DET before or know your target areas for improvement, a personalized, data-driven plan is best:
- Step 1: Diagnostic Practice Exam
- Use our AI-scored test to highlight which specific DET skills are below your target (e.g., production vs. comprehension).
- Step 2: Skill Prioritization
- Allocate 60% of study time to your two weakest modules according to feedback.
- Choose from our 160+ targeted practice sets to get granular practice in these areas.
- Step 3: Continuous Feedback Cycle
- After every few sessions, revisit analytics and performance tracking on your dashboard. Adjust your schedule as needed.
- Don’t skip review of high-scoring sample responses to learn structure and tone.
- Step 4: Integration
- Once a week, take a full-length timed test. Use progress charts to measure concrete improvement and adjust practice pace if needed.
Plan 5: Balanced “Maintain Momentum” Plan (For Busy Learners)
This plan is perfect for people balancing work or classes—a flexible but effective strategy to stay on track over several weeks.
- Monday-Thursday: Micro Practice Blocks
- Spend 20-30 minutes each day on a single DET section (e.g., Monday: listening, Tuesday: reading, etc.). Use mobile-friendly practice sets when time is tight.
- Friday: Speaking and Writing Drills
- Set aside a longer session to record speaking responses and write full essays or photo descriptions.
- Saturday/Sunday: Weekly Mini-Mock Exam
- Take a section-wise timed test every weekend. Review mistakes, revisit related practice sets, and celebrate small wins.
- Ongoing: Read Tips, Explore FAQs, and Adapt
- Periodically read our detailed DET guide to stay up to date with the latest exam format, test hacks, and study advice.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions or browse the community support section as needed.
How to Track Progress and Build Confidence
Regardless of your schedule, tracking progress is crucial. Our platform provides instant scores and detailed breakdowns after every mock test. Review your dashboard each week to spot trends, understand pacing, and quantify improvement. If your schedule changes or you feel stuck, adjust your study plan using analytics.
Additional Tips for DET Success
- Practice with headphones and a quiet room to simulate test conditions.
- Review sample essays and speaking responses scored by our AI—see what high-scoring answers look like.
- If possible, complete a full-length mock test every week, not just at the end of your prep window.
- Make use of our detailed DET blog library for topic-specific tips—for instance, check out 10 Essential Speaking Idioms or guides to practicing DET speaking alone.
- Don’t underestimate the test environment! Be ready for new updates such as 360-degree room scan requirements (covered in our Room Scan Update blog).
Ready to Build Your Own Study Plan?
Remember, the best study plan is the one you’ll actually follow. Start small, experiment, and adapt as you go. With DET Practice Test’s up-to-date sectional banks, advanced AI scoring, and real exam simulation, we’re here to support every learner—no matter the timeline or starting level.
Begin with a free mock test, explore our practice resources, and progress at your own pace. We wish you confidence, consistency, and success on your Duolingo English Test journey!
Also Read:
- Duolingo English Test Vocabulary list: 100+ Must-Know Words by Topic
- Duolingo English Test vs TOEFL: Which Exam Should You Choose?
