• Updated on Jul 22, 2025 by Santana Banerjee
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025 comprises three main sections: Introduction and Onboarding, the Adaptive Test, and the Writing and Speaking Sample. The Adaptive Test is the graded section that evaluates candidates' Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production abilities. Some important topics covered in the Duolingo Syllabus include vocabulary usage, sentence completion, fill-in-the-blank exercises, describing images, answering open-ended questions, and responding to audio prompts.
The Duolingo English Test 2025 exam is conducted in a computer-adaptive format, with a duration of approximately 1 hour. To achieve a score of 130 or higher, candidates should focus on taking practice tests, mock tests, reading passages and books, and accessing online resources from the official Duolingo website.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025: Overview
In the Duolingo English Test, candidates' Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing skills are evaluated. Each skill is further measured in terms of Literacy, Comprehension ability, Conversation, and Productivity. Below are some key points highlighted about the Duolingo English Test 2025.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025: Exam Pattern
Duolingo English Test Pattern 2025 is based on a computer-adaptive format and consists of three sections. However, among the three sections, the Adaptive Test carries the highest percentage and the longest duration. Additionally, the first section, Introduction, candidates get to know about the test format and guidelines. Accordingly, the last part, the Writing and Speaking sample test, is conducted for 10 minutes. This section is ungraded, but the performance for this section is recorded and sent to universities along with candidates’ scores.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025: Sections & Topics
In the Duolingo Test, the Adaptive Test section is only graded, and its difficulty level is adjusted according to candidates’ performances. This section contains topics such as fill-in-the-blanks, identifying real English words, vocabulary, and writing about an image, among others. Refer to the table below to check the question types and which areas to focus on to achieve a 130+ score in the Duolingo English Test 2025.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025: Question Types
Candidates’ Duolingo scores are further subdivided into some subscores, and each subscore contains different types of themes. For example, in the Reading section, candidates generally find topics related to daily life, whereas in the Listening section, they find topics related to technology, travel, and culture. Check out below to know section-wise question types and common themes.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025: Preparation Tips
To prove an advanced level of proficiency in the Duolingo English Test, candidates need to strengthen their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Additionally, solving mock tests and sample practice tests is also necessary to become familiar with the test pattern and question types. Some effective preparation tips are highlighted below:
- Candidates should begin by taking a practice test to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
- Improve vocabulary to learn new words every day.
- Candidates must practice listening to something and then type their thoughts about it.
- Listen to audio clips or lectures in full volume as many times as possible.
- Test-takers can borrow some books from libraries and read them.
- For the Interactive Reading section, candidates must practice reading passages to improve their comprehension skills.
- For the interactive listening section, candidates can think about a scenario and then write about it.
- Test-takers must access resources such as a free practice test, an official guide, and question types from the Duolingo official website.
- Practice typing to improve typing speed for the writing section.
- Join Forums like Reddit or Quora where past candidates share their experiences.
Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025 FAQs
How many sections are in the Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025?
The Duolingo English Test Syllabus 2025 consists of three key sections: introduction and onboarding, adaptive test, and speaking and writing sample test.
Does the Duolingo test include essay writing, like the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE?
No, candidates are not required to write long essays. Instead, it asks for short writing samples (about 50 words) and a separate writing response in the writing and speaking sample test.
Can I choose the topics I want to speak or write about in the Duolingo test?
No, the topics for speaking and writing are given during the exam and displayed on the screen. However, test-takers need not have specialised knowledge as these are related to daily life and everyday routines.
How can I prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
To prepare effectively for the Duolingo English Test, candidates must first understand the test pattern and key areas to cover. They should then attempt a practice test to assess their strengths and areas for improvement. After that, they need to start a focused practice for English Speaking, Writing, and Listening.
What kind of vocabulary should I prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
Candidates must focus on academic terms and words related to common topics, such as health, education, technology, culture, and nature, to prepare for the Duolingo English Test.
Are grammar and punctuation essential in the Duolingo test?
Yes, practicing grammar and punctuation is highly important in the Duolingo test, as these are the main parts in the writing and speaking sections. Incorrect usage of grammar and punctuation may lead to a low subscore in production.
Is there a penalty for incorrect answers in Duolingo?
No, there is no provision for negative marking for incorrect answers in the Duolingo English Test. The test format is adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions varies based on candidates’ performance.
What are the different question types in the Duolingo test?
Read & Select, Fill in the Blanks, Read & Complete, Read Aloud, Listen & Type, Interactive Reading, Interactive Listening, Read & Speak, etc., are some question types in the Duolingo test.
What is the syllabus for the Writing & Speaking Sample section in the Duolingo test?
Candidates are given a topic for each writing and speaking part. They must consider the context of the topic as an essay and write about it. The same goes for the speaking part as well. Once they start recording their viewpoints regarding a topic, they cannot pause or restart the timer.
What does the introduction and onboarding section consist of?
The introduction and onboarding section consists of providing instructions to test candidates’ computers/laptops' webcam, speaker, and microphone. The system will capture candidates’ photos in real-time, and they must hold their passports in front of the webcam when instructed.