DET task library

All 13 DET task families, in one place

Use this library to check what appears, how long you have, what kind of response the task needs, and where to practise it. The groups below follow PrepEx's primary practice sections; official tasks can contribute evidence to more than one subscore.

Reading practice

Word, sentence, passage, and interactive reading tasks

Adaptive · objective

Read and Select

Decide whether each displayed string is a real English word.

Frequency
15–18 words
Time
5 seconds each
Scoring
Right or wrong
Adaptive · objective

Fill in the Blanks

Complete one unfinished word in a sentence by typing only the missing letters.

Frequency
6–9 sentences
Time
20 seconds each
Scoring
Right or wrong
Adaptive · objective

Read and Complete

Restore missing letters across a passage using vocabulary, grammar, and context.

Frequency
3–6 passages
Time
3 minutes each
Scoring
Each unfinished word is evaluated
Adaptive · linked set

Interactive Reading

Complete sentences and a passage, highlight evidence, identify the main idea, and select a title in one connected set.

Frequency
2 sets of 6 questions
Time
Shared 7- or 8-minute timer
Scoring
Mostly right or wrong; Highlight the Answer supports partial credit
Listening practice

Dictation and interactive conversation tasks

Adaptive · partial credit

Listen and Type

Listen to a sentence and type what you hear. You may play the sentence up to three times.

Frequency
6–9 sentences
Time
1 minute each
Scoring
Response similarity with partial credit
Stage-specific adaptivity

Interactive Listening

Listen to a scenario, answer linked comprehension and response questions, then summarize the conversation.

Frequency
2 sets of 8–10 questions
Time
Shared 6:30, then 75 seconds to summarize
Scoring
Partial credit, right or wrong, and writing criteria by stage
Writing practice

Photo, interactive, and extended writing tasks

Open response

Write About the Photo

Describe a photo in writing with relevant detail and clear language.

Frequency
3 photos
Time
1 minute each
Scoring
Writing criteria
Open response · two parts

Interactive Writing

Write an initial response, then answer a follow-up prompt that depends on the same topic.

Frequency
1 set of 2 questions
Time
30-second preparation; 5 minutes + 3 minutes
Scoring
Both responses assessed together
Open response · shared

Writing Sample

Develop an extended written response that is shared with institutions receiving your result.

Frequency
1
Time
30-second preparation; 5 minutes
Scoring
Writing criteria
Speaking practice

Photo, prepared, interactive, and extended speaking tasks

Open response

Speak About the Photo

Describe a photo aloud with relevant detail, organized language, and clear delivery.

Frequency
1
Time
20-second preparation; up to 90 seconds
Scoring
Speaking criteria
Open response

Read, Then Speak

Read a written prompt, prepare briefly, and give a spoken response.

Frequency
1
Time
20-second preparation; up to 90 seconds
Scoring
Speaking criteria
Adaptive · conversation

Interactive Speaking

Listen to one question at a time and respond through a multi-turn conversation.

Frequency
1 set of 6–8 questions
Time
35 seconds per answer
Scoring
Speaking criteria
Open response · shared video

Speaking Sample

Give an extended response. The official sample is captured as video and shared with institutions receiving your result.

Frequency
1
Time
30-second preparation; 3 minutes
Scoring
Speaking criteria
Official source

Counts and timing can change

Check the live official DET Test Structure and official task directory before your test. The official Help Center is the final authority for current delivery.

Task matrix rechecked September 1, 2026. This page describes task formats and original PrepEx practice paths; it does not reproduce official prompts or answers.