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12 Mistakes That Can Get Your Duolingo English Test Invalidated (2026 Rules)

The DET is taken at home — which means the proctoring rules are strict, and breaking one can mean no score, no refund. Here are the 12 mistakes that cost test takers their $70, and how to avoid every one.

Every DET session is recorded and reviewed by human proctors (with AI assistance) before a result is certified. If the review finds a rule violation, your test is simply not certified: no score, no refund, and serious or repeated violations can get your account banned. Most “my DET wasn’t scored” stories trace back to one of the twelve mistakes below — all grounded in Duolingo’s official rules, setup guide (updated January 2026) and help center.

Checklist of 12 mistakes that can get a Duolingo English Test invalidated

Environment & equipment mistakes

1Wearing headphones or earbuds

The single most common violation, because everyone practices with earbuds in. On the real test, any headphones — wired, Bluetooth, anything in or over your ears — are forbidden. Audio must play through your computer speakers, and your ears must be visible on camera at all times.

Avoid it: do at least one full practice test using only your speakers, at the same desk where you’ll take the real test. Check the audio is loud and clear from your seat.

2Someone entering the room

A parent bringing tea, a sibling looking for a charger, a roommate walking through — the moment another person appears (or another voice is heard), the attempt can be invalidated. You must be alone for the entire hour.

Avoid it: lock the door, tell everyone in the house you’re unreachable for 90 minutes, and consider testing late at night or early morning if you share a busy home.

3Skipping or botching the secondary camera + room scan

Since January 2026, Duolingo’s setup rules are explicit: a smartphone must be positioned as a secondary camera showing you and your computer, and you must complete a room scan during setup. An incorrect setup means the test can’t be certified — even if your answers were perfect.

Avoid it: read the official setup guide the day before. Prepare a phone stand (or a stack of books), fully charge the phone, enable Do Not Disturb, and do a dry-run of the room scan.

4Unstable internet or a laptop dying mid-test

A dropped connection or a laptop going to sleep burns one of your three completion/upload attempts per purchased test — and rattles you for the retry.

Avoid it: plug the laptop into power, use wired Ethernet or sit next to the router, close every other app and tab, and disable automatic sleep/updates before starting.

Behavior mistakes during the test

5Looking away from the screen

Glancing down at your hands, staring at the ceiling while thinking, or repeatedly looking off-screen reads exactly like checking notes or a second device. Proctors flag eye movement patterns.

Avoid it: train yourself to think while looking at the screen. Keep the desk completely clear so there’s nothing to look at.

6Mouthing words, whispering, or speaking your own language

Reading questions under your breath or muttering to yourself in your native language can be flagged as receiving or seeking outside help. The only time your voice should be heard is when a speaking task asks for it.

Avoid it: practice reading silently. If you’re a habitual mumbler, do a full mock test while recording yourself — you’ll be surprised.

7ID that doesn’t match your account name

If the name on your Duolingo account doesn’t exactly match your government ID — different order, missing middle name, different spelling — verification can fail before the test even begins.

Avoid it: use your passport, and type your name into the account exactly as printed in it — same order, same spelling.

8Covering your face or ears

Resting your chin on your hand, hair covering your ears, hats or hoods — your face and ears must be fully visible for the whole test so proctors can confirm no earpiece is in use.

Avoid it: tie hair back, no hats, and keep your hands away from your face — put them on the keyboard.

Strategy mistakes (these waste money, not just rules)

9Believing “you can retake it unlimited times”

You can purchase at most 3 tests in any 30-day period, each purchase must be used within 21 days (no extensions), and every certified result — including its video interview — goes to schools you send it to. “I’ll just spam retakes” is neither possible nor wise.

Avoid it: use the free unlimited practice test until your estimated range comfortably covers your target, then book the real thing.

10Buying “guaranteed score” services or leaked questions

Sellers in social-media groups promise real exam questions or someone to “help” during your at-home test. Duolingo’s security team bans accounts for this and can notify institutions — and because the test is adaptive with an enormous item bank, leaked questions are nearly useless anyway.

Avoid it: if a service’s pitch involves breaking test rules, walking away protects not just $70 but your entire application.

11Ignoring the ungraded Video Interview and Writing Sample

The final ~10 minutes are ungraded, so many test takers visibly switch off — one-word answers, slouching, rambling. But admissions officers watch these recordings alongside your score. A polished 130 with a careless interview sends a mixed message.

Avoid it: treat the last 10 minutes as a mini admissions interview. Sit up, answer fully, finish strong.

12Taking the DET for the wrong destination

The most expensive mistake isn’t a rule violation — it’s passing the test and discovering it doesn’t count. Australia’s student visa doesn’t accept the DET at all, and Canada’s PGWP doesn’t either. Test takers heading there end up paying for a second exam.

Avoid it: before buying, read where the DET is and isn’t accepted, and verify your university on the official acceptance search.

Test-day checklist

The night before: read the official rules PDF · set up the phone stand + charge the phone · test speakers (no headphones!) · clear the desk · check your account name = passport name.

Right before starting: lock the door & brief the family · plug in the laptop · wired internet or best Wi-Fi spot · close all apps · Do Not Disturb on both devices · passport on the desk · water… on the floor, not the desk.

During: eyes on screen · silent except for speaking tasks · face and ears visible · full effort through the final interview.

🎯 New to the test? Start with the complete guide: What Is the Duolingo English Test? Structure, Scores & Fees (2026) — and check what your target score means in IELTS/TOEFL terms.

🎯 Rules memorized? Now train the format: our free DET mini practice test gives you 18 questions under the real test’s time pressure — no signup.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my DET is not certified?

You get no score and no refund. Technical upload failures are covered by your 3 attempts per purchase, but conduct violations can void the attempt entirely, and serious cases can lead to an account ban.

Can I drink water during the Duolingo English Test?

The safest approach is to drink before the test — the rules require your face visible and hands away from your face, and reaching off-screen repeatedly can be flagged. The test is only about an hour.

How many times can I actually take the DET?

You can purchase up to 3 tests in any 30-day period. Each purchase must be used within 21 days and includes 3 attempts to complete and upload (for technical failures).

Does Duolingo really check the recordings?

Yes. Every certified result passes human proctor review with AI assistance. Results are typically released within about 48 hours precisely because of this review step.

Sources: Duolingo English Test official Test Rules (PDF), official setup guide — secondary camera & room scan (Jan 2026), help center (testcenter.zendesk.com — retake & purchase rules, articles 360011075451, 8599807800205, 360012468631). Accessed July 2026.