Statistical machine learning algorithms are used to score the Duolingo English Test based on the content of your responses. Time taken per question does not affect your score.
You will not be penalized more for entering an incorrect response to a question rather than skipping the question. For c-test questions, you will receive the same score for a blank or an incorrect response. For listen/transcription questions, you will be penalized more for omitting a word than mistyping the word.
Learn more about how questions are scored on page 33 of our Official Guide for Test Takers.