Timed challenges are awesome for cranking up your Duolingo XP and improving your comprehension speed.
The Lightning Round has long been my go-to challenge for this.
But now there’s a new kid on the block:
Match Madness.
What is this fancy new timed challenge? How do you get it? And what’s the best way to beat the clock?
Let’s take a look!
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What is Match Madness?
Match Madness is one of Duolingo’s timed challenges.
As with the Lightning Round and XP Ramp Up, you can access it in the league section of the app by tapping the Match Madness icon in the bottom right corner.
Match Madness takes one of Duolingo’s classic exercises — Match the Pairs — and turns it into one of its toughest timed challenges.
The goal is to match a total of 90 word pairings in under 1 minute and 45 seconds.
If you manage to do this, you’ll earn 40 XP!
new match madness format
As of July 2022, some users have been getting a slightly different format for Match Madness.
The new format takes on the tiered approach of XP Ramp Up.
According to this Reddit post, the new format has 9 levels, starting at 20 XP and working up in 5 XP increments. The max amount of XP you can now earn is 60 XP.
It also appears that each level adds more words to match. So instead of the traditional 90, you’ll need to match as many as 120 words in the final level.
I’m still rocking the original Match Madness at the moment, so I can’t comment on how difficult this is. But if the Reddit comments are anything to go by, the last level is near impossible.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve got the new format and what you think about it!
Which platforms have Match Madness?
As of June 2022, it looks like Match Madness is only available on iPhone.
Other users should still have access to timed challenges in the league section, but it will probably be a different challenge, such as Lightning Round or XP Ramp Up.
Duolingo usually releases new and experimental features on iPhone first, so don’t worry if you’re an iPad, Android or desktop user — you’ll probably get to try it out at some point in the future!
Which language courses have Match Madness?
For some reason, Match Madness is only available on a few of Duolingo’s language courses.
As of June 2022, Match Madness is definitely available for the following courses:
- French
- Spanish
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
However, in other courses, such as Russian, it’s nowhere to be seen.
The list above isn’t exhaustive, so you might find that Match Madness is available in other courses as well. The guys at Duolingo will probably roll it out to more courses going forward, so I’ll update it when I can!
How does Match Madness work?
Match Madness is a really simple challenge to get your head around.
However, successfully completing it is far from simple!
As you’d expect from a timed challenge, you have to answer the questions correctly while also racing against the clock.
This puts you under more pressure than the normal lessons as you’re forced to trust your instincts.
Note that the below relates to the original Match Madness format!
Basically, you’re presented with two columns: one with English words, and one with their translations in your target language.
Each time you match the English word with its translation, the words will disappear and a new set of words will take their place.
The challenge is split into the same three tiers as the other timed challenges, and gets harder the further you progress.
If you manage to complete the first tier, you’ll guarantee yourself 5 XP. To do this, you need to get 20 correct matches.
Completing the second tier will bag you a guaranteed 10 XP, and for this you need to get a further 30 correct matches.
If you manage to complete the third and final section, you’ll earn a solid 40 XP — but to do this you need to get a whopping 40 correct matches before the time runs out.
In total then, to get the full 40 XP, you need to get 90 correct matches.
As with the other timed challenges, you don’t get penalised for making a mistake. So if you get a pairing wrong, you won’t be docked any time or lose any hearts.
Match Madness Row Blaster
If you’re struggling with Match Madness, Duolingo now gives you the option to remove a row to make it easier.
Using a Row Blaster, the time limit remains the same; but, instead of the usual 5 rows, you’ll only have to contend with 4.
This can make all the difference. Having one less row to deal with makes things so much easier.
However, it’s not cheap… coming in at a cool 150 gems.
So, unless you’re sitting on a mountain of gems, this is a power-up you’ll probably want to use sparingly.
how to get the row blaster
To activate the Row Blaster, simply head over to Match Madness and boot up a round.
If you’ve never used it before, you should get the option to try it out for free.
After your free go, you’ll need to tap ‘Buy Row Blaster’ before each round and pay the 150 gem fee.
Match Madness tips
Matched Madness is definitely one of the tougher timed challenges, even if you’re a pro in your target language.
It forces you to think and act really quickly. Sometimes it can even make your head spin!
However, fear not — there are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself.
don’t get flustered
Match Madness preys on panic.
Don’t give it what it wants! If you panic, you’re more likely to make mistakes. Make too many mistakes, and you’ll get frustrated. Get frustrated, and you’ll panic more. And so the cycle continues.
Focus on staying calm, so that you can fully comprehend every word that pops up on screen.
That way you give yourself a much better chance of going the distance.
find your rhythm
Rhythm is everything with Match Madness.
You can call it getting into the zone, finding a flow, or whatever.
Once you let go and start to calmly trust your instincts, you’ll find the challenge a hell of a lot easier.
slow down!
Seriously. Slowwwwwww down.
This probably sounds counter-productive. I mean, there’s a clock after all — and there’s hardly any time!
But if you let your thumbs get ahead of your brain you’re more likely to make mistakes. And that’s when you start to get flustered.
You don’t want that. You want to stay composed.
Focus first on finding your rhythm, then gradually increase your speed from there. You’re way more likely to succeed!
focus on the left column
To the left, to the left!
The words from your native language will always be down the left-hand side. So in most cases, it makes sense to focus first on the left column.
Look for the words that you know you know in your target language — then you’ll actually know what you’re looking for in the right-hand column, rather than having to figure it out by a process of elimination.
take breaks between tiers
Don’t forget — the clock stops between tiers.
So when you complete the first tier, don’t feel as though you have to rush straight into the second tier. This is a great opportunity to take a second and catch your breath.
pin for later!
My advice: Use BOTH hands.
Thanks!
Finally getting to grips with this challenge. Deffo get into a rhythm and you’re right in what you say ….slow down! Thanks for the tips 👏
Great tips. I always go top to bottom, over and over, to keep from getting flustered. And if you do Match Madness while you’re in an XP Boost, you earn 80 per session! This can really add up if you’re in a competitive league situation.
I’m not getting any points from match madness tonight. I got some this morning, but neither of my devices seem to be adding points even though I’m completing the 90 matches in time? I’ve rebooted both devices, is there something wrong?
I can’t use the match at all. 1 match the first 2 rows and a third row appears on the right. None of them match and it stops there. Every time, every day. 🤷🏽I get zero points ever.
I’m learning Spanish with Duolingo and I used to be able to earn a lot of points with x2 XP option (available on mobile if you complete a lesson before 12pm every day or when you earn a crown). I was able to complete 90 matches in 1’45 with 20s left easily. Trick is, don’t vocalise and use two thumbs.
Unfortunately, the creator changed up the format so that you have to complete more and more matches within the same 1’45 period this week (I’m using iPhone). I can’t get past the 120 matches (55 XP or 110 XP with the x2 XP option) without using the time boost which comes at 450 gems per 1 min boost. Another ploy to get users to spend money to buy gems. Thankfully I’m at the last leg of the Diamond tournament and I just need to finish in the top 15 to “win the tournament”. After this, I won’t be wasting so much time on Duolingo.
I look at my weekly screen time report and I wonder why do I bother spending so much time on this app (when I was feeling competitive, I spent at least 1 hour a day on it).
I’ve to stop playing stupid games to win stupid prizes.
I totally agree. I have same frustration. Last round of new format of match madness is IMPOSSIBLE to make without using 450 gems… it’s not fair…
U R right! Imposible to finish the 120 challenge!
I agree. With a lot of practice I just got to a point where I could beat the 120 matches and then yesterday duolingo increased my words within the game by over 100 new words in one day. I’m all for learning new words and enjoy the competition but to have over 100 new words all in one day is ridiculous.
I give up. I’m not giving anymore money to duolingo. I signed up to Babbel and it is way better. No silly games just a great formula for learning languages.
The original Match Madness was a great way to earn points, especially in double points sessions. With double points, it’s possible to earn nearly 500XP in 15 minutes. Maybe DuoLingo decided it was too easy. With the new incremental format, it’s virtually impossible for me to complete all the levels, so I spend four days ignoring the challenge because I can’t get past level 7. And you can’t start over, even in a different language. This one is too hard. DuoLingo, Please try again.
Agree totally.
I used to like this challenge to get more points, but in the new version the last level is impossible without buying extra time. Won’t be bothering with this one from now on
I used to enjoy Match Madness; however this new version has me stuck on level 9. I made 151 matches, still had 4 on my screen, and who knows how many more they expected me to complete. The programmers are living up to that game title, pure madness!!
The new format of match madness is pretty difficult to beat. I cannot get past level 8 and it’s infuriating! Hoping this format change isn’t permanent.
Can’t say I’m “enjoying” the new match madness. I did quite well with the previous version, but now I feel completely unable to proceed. I’m stuck at 8 and just keep failing to finish. I’m not really into continuous failure.
Why can’t I start over? I’m stuck on the rocks with nowhere to go……
This makes Duo a drudgery. Gosh, isn’t learning German hard enough as it is?
I agree! I could get to the end on the previous version but now I’m stuck at a higher level and can’t seem to make my brain and fingers work fast enough. They should move you back a level or two to give you some chance at success after getting to higher levels!
Ugh. I’m also stuck at 8 and it’s so lame that you only get 15 xp if you don’t beat the level. In the later levels, they should at least raise that to 20 or 25 so you’re rewarded for getting that far. For beginners (or people who are stuck), my advice is that when you see that the two top or two bottom are a match, DON’T TOUCH THEM! Intentionally leaving them there allows you to narrow your focus and limit your options. Only do this for one pair though. If you try to leave the top AND bottom matches, it doesn’t replenish the choices fast enough. Hopefully this helps. It was such a game changer for me when I finally realized this actually worked 🙂
(Edited to fix horrendous dictation errors)
Thanks!
I hate the latest version. I am fast and got up to level 8 almost immediately but cannot get to level 9. The frustrating thing is you are then limited to a maximum of 15 XP where with the original format if you failed to achieve a level you dropped back down and could build up points again.
Bring back the old format!
I have an unbroken 1910 day streak so think I qualify as a fan of Duolingo but am irritated that there is no official way for users to give feedback or to ask questions. That needs changing.
I too hate the new match madness format. Too hard for not enough points. You can buy more time and perhaps thats what they want. Its not fun when you cant win. I used to beat the clock before and it was fun!
“when you see that the two top or two bottom are a match, DON’T TOUCH THEM! Intentionally leaving them there allows you to narrow your focus and limit your options. ”
I started doing this, too. It helps not have to move your eyes as much so you can, maybe, finish the level where you’d been close.
Anyone else notice you sometimes have one word in the pair appear and the other word has not yet shown up? Annoying.
Also, you can do a simple XP before noon and get double XP after 6PM, this means double on the match madness and if you also have an iPad, do the same thing (XP and early bird double) on the ipad and double your double XP options.
I hate this. On double points I can get 40, 50, points and then only 20, 20, 20, 20……
I thought to buy some gems for tournament, but now i save the money, for stupid application…
I havee done 124 matches and still in the same level. I don’t get it. It’s pretty tough if you don’t have currency to buy for the level up..and I don’t have it.
How do you stop it? / when does it go back to normal exercises?
Im on 866 day streak and hate it. Im not trying learn ‘speed spanish’ rather accurate Spanish.
I hate new match madness. can’t get past 50XP and stuck for days, now i’m getting more panicky and i don’t have a mountain of gems. old match madness WAS MUCH better.
Now I feel like all timed are pretty much scams for your gems because duolingo updated.
DUOLINGO PLEASE FIX I AM OUTRAGED
Match madness is a stupid, exhausting waste of time for people like me with a large vocabulary and shaky hands. Please discontinue.
I HATE, no i LOATHE the new ramp up version of match madness. It took me a while to master the original version, but the new version is IMPOSSIBLE to master without buying/using a time boost. I end up stuck and frustrated. It’s so maddening that I’ve quit playing the game altogether. Give me back the original, please!
what is the all time record for more on “max combo” on Match Madness Duo Lingo??
Meant- what is all-time record for the most “max combo” matches on Match Madness Duo Lingo? Thanks
I actually enjoy the Match Madness, although it’s tricky because there are sometimes word groupings that require some inference from the player as to which answer is correct. Anyway, I never mind using up the gems – I have tens of thousands – because what else would you spend them on??
As for learning, I dunno if I’m really learning or reinforcing much beyond noun/adverb/adjective vocabulary with this, but it’s a fun change of pace and others have mentioned, a great way to increase XP without the slog of 5 XP at a time otherwise. You just can’t really reinforce verbs very well here, because they really need context to be truly meaningful.
To make it better: players should be able to select tougher levels to play at. I played tons of rounds or Match Madness over the last few days and they were all pretty easy, without incorporating some of the newer words from the harder levels I’m actually working through right now.
I dont think this is accurate anymore. I’ve gotten to level 9 and have matched up to141 matches and still never completed level 9. [I also recommend (to maximize point getting, if thats your thing) to NOT try for level 9 because you only get 15xp if you don’t complete it but lower levels give you 20 or 30 xp for not completing the level.] I ignored match madness for several months and only began it in Dec 2022 and have NEVER been given the option of “Row Blaster” free or for a cost. So please amend & update this article. 😊
Can anyone tell me how I get rid of this Match Madness and go back to the usual game?
would love to do Match Madness. I can’t get past the intro screen — the Start Challenge button looks funky and won’t work, and pressing anything else on the screen does nothing. help?
My comment is not just to the level of difficulty they have made this, but it does not tell you how many gems this costs. The regular level up costs 10 gems to play. This seems to be more in the 30-50 range. Had 350+ gems and played a few times and now I’m done to 40? Skipping this and whatever developer team came up with this should rethink the number of matches needed to progress. This makes me not want to use this learning feature, as the text on a phone screen is already so small.
Finalmente i completed the level for March madness that offers 120xp when the double experience booster is on. I got stuck over and over and on my fifth attempt I successfully passed it without needing to purchase a timer boost. Now there is an additional level with 65 xp for the opening round that’s 130xp with the timer boost.
This ramp up version is impossible to beat without a timer boost. Which means I have one less tool to learn my language of choice in a fun and competitive way.
I only started Duolingo three months ago. I’m not sitting on a huge heap of diamond to spend on clearing this challenge.
I’m a bit dissapointed to learn there used to be a different version of match madness that was doable. Would be nice if I could trade my ramp up version for that one. Or if I could get my lightning rounds button back. Or if it were possible to redo the ramp up version on a level you are still comfortable with for less points, or automatically get kicked back a few levels like in the XP ramp up. Anything really but being stuck on level 8 like this.
By the way, my mom has this challenge too: you can add Greek to the list above. She simply gave up on doing timed challenges on weekdays.