If you’re preparing for the Duolingo English Test, this guide will show you how to setup your room, computer, and phone.

Duolingo English Test Setup 2026: A Simple Guide

Good news: the Duolingo English Test setup sounds scarier than it is. If you spend 15 minutes preparing the day before, test day will feel easy.

Here's exactly what to do.

1. Pick a Quiet Room

You need to be alone for about 90 minutes. A bedroom or home office is perfect.

Tell your family or roommates not to come in. A note on the door helps.

2. Clear Your Desk

Keep only three things: your laptop or computer, your ID, and your phone (for the second camera).

Make sure you remove any books, notes, earphones, smartwatches, etc from your desk.

A clean desk makes the room scan quick.

3. Check Your Internet

You need at least 2 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up. Run a quick speed test on Google.

If you can, plug into ethernet. If not, sit near your router and ask others not to stream during your test.

4. Get Your Computer Ready

Before you start:

• Install the DET desktop app
• Test your camera, mic, and speakers
• Plug your laptop in
• Close everything else — especially WhatsApp, Discord, Zoom, and any screen-sharing apps

Background apps are the #1 reason tests get flagged. Quit them fully.

5. Sort Out Your Lighting

Sit facing a window or lamp — not with it behind you. If your face looks dark in the camera preview, move.

That's all there is to it.

6. Set Up Your Phone as a Second Camera

Your phone records your keyboard during the test. Here's the setup:

• Charge it fully and plug it in
• Turn on Do Not Disturb (and check no contacts can bypass it)
• Lean it against a mug, book, or stand to the side of your laptop
• Make sure the camera shows your screen and keyboard clearly

Open the camera app and check the view before you start. Once it's positioned, don't move it.

7. Move Other Devices Out

Smartwatch, second phone, tablet, Bluetooth earbuds — put them in another room. If they're nearby, they're a risk.

8. Take Your Time on the Room and Ear Scan

Before the test begins, you'll use your phone to scan your room and each ear. Just move slowly and follow the on-screen instructions. There's no rush.

Tie back long hair so your ears are visible.

These two videos from the Duolingo English Test team are very helpful 👇

‍

‍

‍

Your 60-Second Checklist

Run through this before you click "Start":

• Door closed, no one will enter
• Desk has only laptop, ID, and phone
• Laptop or computer charged and plugged in
• Other apps closed
• Phone on Do Not Disturb, plugged in, positioned correctly
• Lighting on your face, not behind you
• Internet tested
• ID ready

If everything's ticked, you're ready.

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid

1. Phone notifications — even silent ones can cancel your test
2. Apps running in the background — close them, don't just minimise
3. Bad phone angle — keyboard or screen cut off
4. Bright window behind you — your face goes dark
5. Rushing the room scan — slow and steady

Quick FAQ

Can I wear earbuds or headphones? No. Not at any point.

What internet speed do I need? 2 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up.

What ID do I need? A government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID, or driver's licence). Click here for a list of Accepted Identification

How long is the whole thing? About 15 minutes of setup, then 60 minutes of test.

Final Word

Don't stress. Spend 15 minutes the day before getting your space ready, run through the checklist, and you'll be fine.

You've already done the hard work studying. The setup is just admin.

Good luck!

Teacher Luke has helped international students prepare for the DET since 2020!

‍

‍

Need help preparing for the DET?

✅ Join my VIP Score-Boosting Program — I’ll teach you everything you need to know:
https://vip.detready.com

See you there,— Teacher Luke 👨🏫Helping 1,000+ students pass the DET every month

‍