Six diplomas, one per CEFR level. DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2 and DALF C1 and C2 are official French diplomas from the French Ministry of Education, run by France Éducation international. Each one tests a single level and is valid for life, so the first decision is which level to sit.
Diplomas
6, from A1 to C2
Papers
4 per level (2 at C2)
Pass mark
50/100, at least 5/25 per paper
Valid
For life
From A1 to C1 there are four papers, each marked out of 25: listening, reading and writing are taken together in one sitting, in that order; speaking is an individual test before two examiners, usually at another time. DALF C2 has two papers of 50 points, each combining comprehension and production.
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.
| Diploma | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Collective papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 | 20 min | 30 min | 30 min | 5-7 min + 10 min prep | 1 h 20 |
| DELF A2 | 25 min | 30 min | 45 min | 6-8 min + 10 min prep | 1 h 40 |
| DELF B1 | 25 min | 45 min | 45 min | 10-15 min + 10 min prep | 1 h 55 |
| DELF B2 | 30 min | 1 h | 1 h | 20 min + 30 min prep | 2 h 30 |
| DALF C1 | 40 min | 50 min | 2 h 30 | 30 min + 1 h prep | 4 h |
| DALF C2 | Combined with speaking (/50) | Combined with writing (/50) | 3 h 30, with reading | 30 min + 1 h prep, after two hearings of a 15-min recording | 3 h 30 |
Times are for each paper. "Collective papers" is the time for listening, reading and writing taken together; the speaking test is extra.
Recordings played twice at A1-B1; at B2 and C1 some are played once. From 17 questions at A1 to a 6-minute interview at C1.
From short emails and notices at A1 to a 1,000-word text of ideas at C1, in 30 to 60 minutes.
A form and a 40-word message at A1, up to a synthesis and an essay at C1 and a 700-word text at C2.
A guided interview, an information exchange and a role-play at A1, up to a prepared presentation and a debate at B2, C1 and C2.
Listening and reading answers are marked with an answer key. Spelling and grammar do not count unless they make an answer impossible to understand, and any coherent rewording is accepted. A true/false item with justification earns its points only when both the tick and the quotation are right.
Writing and speaking are marked by two examiners with the official grids introduced in 2022. Each criterion has four performance levels: not answered or insufficient, below the target level, at the level, and at the level "+". Details for every level are on the writing and speaking scoring pages.
A paper below 5/25 is eliminatory: you fail the diploma even with 50/100 overall.
| When | Applies to | Change |
|---|---|---|
| From 2020 | A2-B2 comprehension | New-format (format 1) listening and reading papers enter sessions; A1 follows from the end of 2021. Both formats still circulate in 2026. |
| March 2020 | DELF B1 | Reading goes from 35 to 45 minutes; the collective papers from 1 h 45 to 1 h 55. |
| March 2020 | DALF C1 and C2 | The choice of subject area ("lettres et sciences humaines" or "sciences") is removed. |
| 1 Sep 2022 | All levels | New marking grids for writing and speaking, with fewer criteria and four performance levels per criterion. |
| June 2023 | All levels | Registration in only one centre per session and level; nationality no longer printed on diplomas. |
No newer reform was announced for 2025-2026. Third-party guides that present "new 2026 grids" are describing the 2022 grids.
Worked examples are on the listening, reading, writing and speaking samples pages, and you can practise A1, A2 and B1 papers in DELF practice or sit DELF mock tests.
No. The six diplomas are independent. You can register directly for the level you want, and even take several levels in the same session.
No. DELF and DALF diplomas are valid for life.
At least 50 out of 100 overall, and at least 5 out of 25 in every paper. A paper below 5/25 fails the diploma whatever the total. At DALF C2 you need 50/100 and at least 10/50 in each of the two papers.
FEI states that the DELF B2 allows you to apply for French nationality.
No. FEI's candidate manuals describe a paper exam written in pen. Claims of a "digital DELF" are not confirmed by FEI.
At most two months after the exam, according to FEI's manuals.
Yes, as often as you like, once you have received the results of the previous session.
Only the topics, which are adapted to teenagers in the junior and scolaire versions. The papers, timings, marking and diploma are the same.
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.