Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2023 - Section-Wise Syllabus, Important Topics

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Feb 03, 2023 11:30 AM IST

The Duolingo English Test has no organised or declared Duolingo syllabus. The absence of a syllabus is due to a very important reason: the Duolingo administration does not want its test-takers to be burdened by preparation for the 'English Test.'

It is thought that competency in English should be examined as a known language and the fluidity with which it may be utilised, rather than the test takers' capacity to prepare for a tough examination.

Considering DET is used to evaluate aspirants' English proficiency, there is no need to follow a specific Duolingo exam syllabus. Each section of the test, however, follows a specific framework. On this page, you will learn more about the section-wise Duolingo syllabus!

Duolingo English Test Syllabus

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an innovative test that uses AI and Data Forensics technology to ensure security and transparency. The test contains a set of questions to determine the speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills of the candidate in the English Language. The complete test is divided into two sections and each section has a specific set of questions for analysis and interpretation.

While there is no specific syllabus for the Duolingo English Test, the test taker must have the following skills to perform well in the test:

  • Good knowledge of the English Grammar

  • Well-versed in English pronunciation

  • Good analytical skills

  • Fluent in speaking English 

  • Must know how to frame correct sentences in English

If you are interested to learn more about what to expect in a Duolingo English Test, then read on to know the type of questions you can expect in the Duolingo English Test for each section of the test.

If you are curious to learn more about the Duolingo syllabus and the types of questions that might be posed to you during your interview, read on. You should click on the following links to learn more about DET:

Duolingo English Test: Speaking Interview Questions

Universities Accepting Duolingo Scores for Fall 2023 Intake

Duolingo Practice Test - Benefits, How to Attempt

Benefits of Taking the Duolingo English Test

Unsure of how to begin your Duolingo study plan, or how about an expert-designed personalised study plan? Avail of our expert help to score high on DET!

Let Our Experts Resolve All Your Queries Related to DET Syllabus!

Duolingo Adaptive Test Syllabus

Duolingo English Test's Adaptive section is a single integrated section on various topics of English language Grammar. The session is made up of multiple-choice questions and as established does not have any pre-determined syllabus.

The Adaptive Test section lasts for 45 minutes and contains multiple types of questions. The main aim of the questions in this section is to assess the candidates:

  • Ability to understand the spoken words

  • Ability to formulate their understanding into their own words

  • Ability to speak a word correctly (not accent but pronunciation)

  • The strength of vocabulary possessed

  • Ability to express thoughts in English

  • Ability to form and press opinions

The types of questions you can expect in the Adaptive Section are mentioned below:

  • Type a statement for the audio you hear (Listen and Type)

  • Select the list of correct English words from a set of words/phrases (Read and Select)

  • Pronounce a specific word

  • Identify an image

  • Describe an image 

  • Describe a video

  • Summarise an audio 

  • Complete a sentence in English 

  • Fill in the blanks 

  • Read a sentence 

  • Answer questions after reading a paragraph or sentence

To properly prepare for this section candidate can adopt the following practices other than Mock Test papers and other traditional preparation methods:

  • Watch movies or videos of native English language countries.

  • Listen and try to sing along with English songs

  • Build a strong vocabulary by looking up new words and their synonyms

  • Practice speech on a personal level for a certain period

  • Look out for alternatives to known words and their appropriate use

  • Read long English texts and try to draw ideas from them

  • Assign self-made titles and summaries to a text

Got Any Queries About Duolingo Syllabus to Ask Our Experts?

Duolingo Interview & Writing Section Syllabus

The Interview & Writing Section on the Duolingo English Test is a 10-minute duration test and is continued after the Adaptive Test. The skills tested during this section are:

  • Ability to take fast decisions and sort ideas accordingly

  • Ability to provide overall and balanced information in a limited time

  • Ability to express one's ideas through language

  • Ability to conversate in English language fluently

  • Confidence in the random usage of the language

  • Ability to use the language even in non-favorable situations

  • The ease at which built vocabulary can be used

  • Ability to properly express one's opinions verbally or in writing in English

  • Ability to utilize time and language in own favor

The types of questions you can expect to answer in the Interview & Writing Section are mentioned below:

  • Choose a topic from the list and speak on it for a defined time.

  • Speak about a specific topic or scenario.

  • Choose a topic from the list and write about it.

The topics provided as a choice in this section can be understood as:

  • General Topic in which a particular subject shall be given and candidate has to express their opinions and knowledge about it.

  • Self-related Topic in which a subject related to the candidate's personal life is provided and the scope of information that can be presented is also provided.

There is no hard and fast rule to be followed by the candidate and choice is also not judged. Generally, candidates prefer self-related topics, which can prove advantageous, except they must ensure that their ideas are clear and avoid repetition of both ideas and words. In the case of a General Topic, the choice is not advised until and unless not enough knowledge about the topic. The reason is short preparation time and the possibility of losing track and forgetting ideas leading to a cut inflow and faulty representation. Especially in the verbal section candidates tend to become quiet for the last few minutes.

To prepare for this section, the following are advised apart from traditional preparation practices:

  • Practice speech on random topics in front of a mirror

  • Grow comfortable with the fact of speaking to no one in particular but own face

  • Read newspapers and tidbits on all spectrums to gain a general knowledge

  • Be self-aware and practice writing on random topics

  • Practice writing and speech in both long and short sections to challenge oneself

Get an Expert Designed Personalised Study Plan to Prepare for DET!

FAQs on Duolingo English Test Syllabus

Where can I find the syllabus for Duolingo?

You cannot find the syllabus of the Duolingo exam on an authorized or official basis. However, we have worked out the syllabus along with our Experts, who have carefully studied the questions and patterns of the test. There is a summarized version on this page, above.

Is the speaking section of Duolingo conducted separately?

The speaking section of Duolingo is conducted on the same day as the other test sections. The second part of Duolingo, which is a video interview, covers the speaking section. This section is equally important as it analyses the speaking skills of the candidate.

What is the syllabus for the Duolingo Adaptive Test?

The syllabus for the Duolingo Adaptive Test section is again not declared. It follows a definite pattern and contains questions like sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, sentence structure, speaking, interpretation, etc. There is no predefined syllabus. The whole section is about the application of the English language.

What types of questions are asked in the interview section of Duolingo?

The type of questions that are asked in the interview section of Duolingo is designed to analyze the English speaking skills of the candidate. In this part of the test, you will be asked to speak on a topic. The voice of the candidate must be clear and they must follow the guideline as defined by the speaking section while attempting this part of the test.

How long is the interview section of Duolingo?

The Interview section of Duolingo lasts for 10 minutes. The complete Duolingo is 60 minutes long. The first 5 minutes is the introduction that runs you briefly through the test. The next 45 minutes is the adaptive test section and the last part is the interview and writing section.

Is there a different syllabus for graded and ungraded sections of the Duolingo test?

There is a no different syllabus for graded and ungraded sections of the Duolingo test. The reason is that there is no declared syllabus for the test by the authority. Hence, the syllabus is the English language, grammar, and other aspects of the language. All the sections, graded and ungraded, are applications of knowledge about the language.

Which are the graded sections of the Duolingo English Test?

The Adaptive section is the graded section of the Duolingo English Test. There is only one section that is graded in the test. The whole section takes up the major part of the test. There are no subsections. It tests the candidate’s knowledge and proficiency level on an application basis and accordingly grades their skills.

Which are the ungraded sections of the Duolingo English Test?

Video interview and writing sections are the ungraded sections of the Duolingo English Test. The two sections require the candidate to choose among two topics, and then either speak (video) about it or write (writing) about it, as per the time allotted to the section. The sections are directly sent to the universities selected.

What are the different types of topics that are asked in Duolingo?

There are many different types of topics that are asked in Duolingo. The whole exam is more application-based than a direct knowledge test. Hence, in simpler terms, the topics are grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, phrases and clauses, and other aspects of the English language. You may connect with us for more light on the test.

Is the syllabus necessary to prepare for Duolingo?

The syllabus is not necessary to prepare for Duolingo English Test. The test is a multiple-choice format test, and all the questions are application-based questions, rather than subjective. Hence, the test can be prepared for by practising enough question papers and practice papers. It is best to hone speed and accuracy which helps in the actual test.

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