The reading paper ("compréhension des écrits") follows listening in the same sitting and is marked out of 25. It grows from 30 minutes of emails and notices at A1 to 50 minutes on one long text of ideas at C1.
| Level | Time | Format 1 | Format 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 | 30 min | 4 exercises, 20 questions | 4 exercises, 20 questions |
| DELF A2 | 30 min | 4 exercises, 23 questions | 4 exercises, 20-21 questions |
| DELF B1 | 45 min | 3 exercises, 30 questions | 2 exercises, 32 questions |
| DELF B2 | 1 h | 3 exercises, 20 MCQ | 2 exercises, 20 questions |
| DALF C1 | 50 min | 1 text, 12 questions (one format) | - |
| DALF C2 | Within the 3 h 30 written paper | A dossier of about 2,000 words | - |
At A1, A2, B1 and B2 two formats of the listening and reading papers are still in official circulation, and you find out which one you have on the day. Format 1 is the newer design: multiple choice only, with more and shorter documents. Format 2 is the older design, with multiple choice plus short written answers and, from A2, true/false items you must justify with a quotation. FEI states that neither format makes the exam easier or harder.
30 minutes, /25.
Format 1 · 4 exercises, 8 documents, 20 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand a short message: email, postcard or invitation (60-70 words) | 5 MCQ (2 pictures) | 6 |
| 2 | Find your way in space: a poster, sign or map (60-70 words) | 4 MCQ + choose the right route among 3 maps | 6 |
| 3 | Find your way in time: 5 small texts (ads, programmes, rules) | 5 MCQ | 6 |
| 4 | Read for information: a short article (70-80 words) | 5 MCQ (1 picture) | 7 |
Format 2 · 4 exercises, 20 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job ad | 5 (MCQ and short answers) | 6 |
| 2 | Notice and floor plan, including drawing a route on the plan | 5 | 6 |
| 3 | Several job ads | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Article | 5 | 7 |
30 minutes, /25.
Format 1 · 4 exercises, 11 documents, 23 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read to find your way: 6 short documents (menus, timetables, ads) and 8 people | Match one person to each document (2 extra) | 6 |
| 2 | Read short correspondence: a letter, email or invitation (125-135 words) | 6 MCQ (2 pictures) | 6 |
| 3 | Read simple instructions: 3 documents (rules, instructions for use, recipe, note) | 6 MCQ (2 per document) | 6 |
| 4 | Read for information: a brochure or article (130-145 words) | 1 true/false + 4 MCQ | 7 |
Format 2 · 4 exercises, 8 documents, 20-21 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 flat or house ads and 5 people | 5 matches | 5 |
| 2 | Email or letter | 5 | 6 |
| 3 | Magazine article | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Website article, with 2 true/false items to justify by quoting the text | 6 | 8 |
45 minutes, /25 (it was 35 minutes before March 2020).
Format 1 · 3 exercises, 6 documents, 30 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Select information: 4 documents (95-100 words each) checked against 4 criteria | 16 yes/no (0.5 each) | 8 |
| 2 | Read for information and discussion: a text with opinions (300-350 words) | 4 MCQ + 3 true/false | 8 |
| 3 | The same task on a public or educational subject (300-350 words) | 4 MCQ + 3 true/false | 9 |
Format 2 · 2 exercises, 32 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 documents checked against 5 criteria, then choose one (1 point off if the choice contradicts your ticks) | 20 yes/no + 1 choice | 10 |
| 2 | Long article: MCQ, open answers and 4 true/false items to justify | 11 | 15 |
1 hour, /25.
Format 1 · 3 exercises, 5 documents, 20 MCQ
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand an informative or argumentative article (425-450 words) | 7 MCQ | 9 |
| 2 | The same task on an educational or work subject (425-450 words) | 7 MCQ | 9 |
| 3 | Understand points of view: 3 short texts (100-120 words), e.g. forum posts | 6 statements: whose view is it? | 7 |
Format 2 · 2 exercises, 2 documents, 20 questions
| Exercise | Task | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Informative text: MCQ, true/false to justify, short answers, "explain in your own words" | 10 | 13 |
| 2 | Argumentative text, with true/false to justify and rewording questions | 10 | 12 |
50 minutes, /25, one exercise on a literary or journalistic "texte d'idées" of about 1,000 words. The official sample has 12 questions: multiple choice, open questions including "in your own words", and four true/false items to justify (2 points each, all or nothing).
DALF C2 has no separate reading paper. The collective paper "compréhension et production écrites" (3 h 30, /50) gives you a dossier of about 2,000 words (articles, cartoons, visuals) on one theme; your reading is shown in the 700-word text you write from it. See the writing page.
Practice documents with answers are on the reading samples page.
Practise DELF / DALF online
The TestSucceed app has DELF practice for A1, A2 and B1, with more levels on the way. The tasks are timed like the real exam and marked instantly, and your writing and speaking are assessed by AI trained by our French exam experts. Start with DELF / DALF practice or sit a full DELF / DALF mock test.
Written by Kirill O'Nayd
French exam expert and educator at TestSucceed. He prepares candidates for the DELF and DALF from A1 to C2 and studies how each paper is marked against the official grids. See all TestSucceed preparation materials.