Writing is marked by two examiners with the grids FEI introduced in September 2022. The same five criteria apply from A1 to C2; only the points change.
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.
Each criterion is marked on four performance levels, with fixed points for each: not answered or insufficient; below the target level; at the target level (for example B2); and at the target level "+" (B2+). Two examiners mark every production, as FEI requires at every level.
| Level | Criteria | Points per criterion (4 levels) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 (exercise 2) | Task completion; coherence and cohesion; sociolinguistic fit; vocabulary; grammar | 0 / 0.5 / 2 / 3 | 15 |
| DELF A2 (each exercise) | The same five criteria | 0 / 0.5 / 1.5 / 2.5 | 12.5 |
| DELF B1 | The same five criteria | 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | 25 |
| DELF B2 | The same five criteria | 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | 25 |
| DALF C1 essay | The same five criteria | 0 / 0.5 / 1.5 / 2.5 | 12.5 |
| DALF C2 | The same five criteria | 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | 25, doubled to 50 |
At A1 the form in exercise 1 adds 10 points (1 per field). At A2 the grid is applied separately to each of the two texts.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Respect of the length (200-240 words) | 0 or 0.5 |
| Respect of objectivity | 0 / 0.5 / 1 / 1.5 |
| Task completion: synthesis | 0 / 1 / 1.5 / 2.5 |
| Coherence and cohesion | 0 / 1 / 1.5 / 2.5 |
| Vocabulary | 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 |
| Grammar | 0 / 1 / 1.5 / 2.5 |
The synthesis has no sociolinguistic criterion. A synthesis of 300 words or more cannot reach C1 for task completion, and copying more than three quarters of it from the documents scores 0 for vocabulary and grammar.
Fewer than half the expected words means there is not enough to assess, and every criterion scores 0:
| Paper | Scores 0 at |
|---|---|
| DELF A1, exercise 2 | 19 words or fewer |
| DELF A2, each exercise | 29 words or fewer |
| DELF B1 | 79 words or fewer |
| DELF B2 | 124 words or fewer |
| DALF C1 synthesis | 99 words or fewer |
| DALF C1 essay | 124 words or fewer |
| DALF C2 | 349 words or fewer |
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.