DELF / DALF Reading: How It Is Marked

Reading is marked out of 25 with an answer key. At B1 and in format 2 some items are half-points or all-or-nothing, so it pays to know the rules.

The Pass Rule

Every paper from A1 to C1 is marked out of 25, for a total of 100. You pass with at least 50/100 and at least 5/25 in every paper: a mark below 5 is eliminatory. At DALF C2 the two papers are marked out of 50 each; you need 50/100 and at least 10/50 in each.

Points per Exercise

Level	Format 1	Format 2
DELF A1	6 + 6 + 6 + 7 = 25	6 + 6 + 6 + 7 = 25
DELF A2	6 + 6 + 6 + 7 = 25	5 + 6 + 6 + 8 = 25
DELF B1	8 + 8 + 9 = 25	10 + 15 = 25
DELF B2	9 + 9 + 7 = 25	13 + 12 = 25

Level	Points
DALF C1	One exercise, 25 points; true/false items to justify are worth 2 points each, all or nothing
DALF C2	No separate mark: reading is assessed through the written paper (/50)

How Answers Are Marked

Spelling and grammar are not marked unless they make the answer impossible to understand.
Any coherent rewording of the right answer is accepted.
True/false with justification: the points are given only when both the tick and the quotation are right.
A multiple-choice answer can be corrected by circling the answer you keep.
The points per question shown in FEI's guidance are indicative: each paper's barème is set by psychometric analysis, so individual items in the sample papers are worth from 0.5 to 2.5 points. The exercise totals stay the same.
B1 format 1, exercise 1: each yes/no cell is worth 0.5. In format 2, ticking both boxes scores 0, and a final choice that contradicts your ticks loses 1 point.

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.