Goarno lists four Duolingo test mistakes

Goarno published a blog post on May 22 listing four mistakes it said most often lead to invalidated Duolingo English Test results. The post, titled “4 Common Mistakes That Can Invalidate Your Duolingo English Test 2026,” said an invalidated test can mean losing the test fee and having to retake the exam. It said “most invalidations come from honest mistakes, not cheating,” and framed the piece as a practical checklist for candidates preparing to sit the online English-proficiency exam. ### Which four mistakes did Goarno single out? Goarno’s May 22 post identified four rule breaches: running other apps during the test, looking away from the screen, using predictive text or writing assistants, and letting the phone camera move. The article said those were the “four rules” behind most invalidations and set them out as the main focus of the guide. The post said the desktop app should be the only program running on a candidate’s computer during the test. (goarno.io) It also said virtual machines are not allowed and that the test must be taken on “a real computer” with the Duolingo English Test desktop app installed directly on it. ### Why does looking away matter during the test? Goarno said eye direction is one of the behaviors that can trigger problems during review. (goarno.io) The post said test takers should keep their eyes on the screen during speaking sections and avoid looking away for long periods when they are not typing. The same guide added that briefly glancing down at the keyboard while typing is allowed. That distinction matters because the article presented gaze behavior as a compliance issue tied to certification, not to English ability. (goarno.io) ### What tools and software did the guide say are off-limits? Goarno said predictive text and writing assistants are prohibited during the test. The post grouped those tools with other forms of outside assistance that can lead to a result being withheld or invalidated. (goarno.io) A separate Duolingo English Test rules explainer surfaced in search results and summarized official-style guidance in similar terms, including bans on note-taking tools, multiple screens, and unauthorized devices. (goarno.io) That page was not the Goarno article itself, but it pointed to the same category of compliance checks around equipment and test integrity. ### Why did Goarno focus on the phone camera? (goarno.io) The Goarno post said test takers should not let the phone camera move during the session. The article treated camera stability as one of the four most common mistakes and said it can affect whether the session is certified. Search results also show Goarno has published other Duolingo English Test guidance, including an April 2026 “Ultimate Guide” and a more recent post on how to make sure results are certified. (detpractice.com) Those related posts suggest the May 22 item is part of a broader series aimed at candidates navigating test-day rules and certification issues. ### How does this fit with broader Duolingo test guidance? Duolingo’s own blog previously published a post on the “5 most broken” test rules and said human proctors review sessions to confirm that rules were followed. (goarno.io) That earlier Duolingo post similarly described invalidations as something that can happen when candidates unintentionally break a rule. (goarno.io) As of May 23, Goarno’s May 22 article remained live on the company’s blog. The post sits alongside other Duolingo English Test explainers that Goarno has updated in 2026, including pages on certification and common mistakes, giving candidates a place to check the company’s latest guidance before booking or retaking the exam. (goarno.io) (blog.englishtest.duolingo.com)