8e791b22bd29b32c816ce1768ad8beaf.webp

Are you juggling school, work, and life while trying to prepare for the Duolingo English Test? You’re not alone. Many students struggle to find time for test prep, but the good news is — you don’t need hours every day to succeed. With the right strategy, even a tight schedule can lead to great results. Here are some quick, practical tips to help you study smarter, not harder.

1. Set Aside 15 Minutes a Day

You don’t need long study sessions. Just 15 focused minutes each day can make a big difference. Pick one skill to practice — reading, writing, speaking, or listening — and rotate them throughout the week. Short, daily habits build consistency and confidence. For more strategies, explore our IELTS preparation resources.

2. Practice English in Daily Life

Look for simple ways to include English in your routine. Switch your phone or computer to English, write your grocery list in English, or describe your day to yourself in English. These small habits improve fluency naturally. You can also join spoken English classes
 to build fluency faster.

3. Record and Review Your Speaking

Speaking under pressure is one of the trickiest parts of the Duolingo test. Try recording yourself answering sample prompts. Listen to the recordings to catch mistakes and track your improvement. This helps with pronunciation, grammar, and timing. You may also check our speaking cue cards for extra practice.

4. Read and Summarize

Choose short English articles, blogs, or even social media posts. After reading, write or speak a short summary in your own words. This strengthens both reading comprehension and writing skills — essential for the test.

5. Take a Weekly Practice Test

Set aside time once a week to take a full practice test under real conditions. This helps you get used to the format, time limits, and question types. The more familiar you are, the less stressful the real test will feel. You can try free practice tests on our test preparation page.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a ton of time — just consistency, creativity, and focus. Use these tips to fit Duolingo prep into your busy life, and you’ll be well on your way to success.

Good luck — you’ve got this!