What DELF A2 and B1 Are
DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) is the official French proficiency diploma awarded by France Éducation international. Unlike a test score, it is a diploma that never expires. A2 and B1 are the two levels most learners take first: A2 is elementary, B1 is the threshold where you can cope independently with everyday and study situations.
Each DELF level tests four skills independently — listening, reading, writing and speaking — and each is marked out of 25. The structure is the same at both A2 and B1; only the difficulty and the task expectations rise.
Confirm the current format
France Éducation international updates the DELF format periodically. Always check the official sample papers and the current exam guide for your session before you plan revision around specific timings.
Format and Timing
The written épreuves are usually sat together; the oral is scheduled separately, often on the same or a nearby day. Plan for both — many candidates over-prepare writing and under-prepare the oral, which is worth a quarter of the total.
Scoring and Pass Rules
Each of the four épreuves is marked out of 25, giving a total out of 100. The pass mark is 50/100. But there is a second condition: you must score at least 5/25 in every épreuve. A very strong writing paper cannot rescue a listening score below 5 — the diploma requires a minimum across all four skills.
There is no partial credit for individual épreuves. If you fail, you resit the whole exam — which is why you should never leave one skill to chance.
A2 vs B1: What Actually Changes
The task types look similar, but the expectations do not. A2 rewards clear communication on familiar topics; B1 rewards the ability to explain, justify and handle the unexpected.
The Writing Tasks
A2
Typically two short tasks: a message or postcard (about 60 words) and a short description or account (about 60–80 words). The priority is communicating the required information accurately, with correct basic structures.
B1
Usually an informal letter or article expressing an opinion (around 160–180 words). Here the examiner looks for organisation, linking words, a clear point of view and a range of tenses. A B1 answer that lists opinions without connecting them reads as A2.
The B1 writing formula
Opening (why you are writing) → two points with reasons → a contrasting point → conclusion or recommendation. Use connectors: d'une part, d'autre part, cependant, donc, par conséquent. This structure alone lifts many scripts into the B1 band.
The Speaking Tasks
At both levels, the interaction matters as much as the content. Learn a few repair phrases — pardon, pourriez-vous répéter ?, comment dire…, je veux dire que… — so a hesitation does not become silence.
An Eight-Week Prep Plan
Use the official DELF sample papers from France Éducation international — they are the closest thing to the real exam and include the mark schemes, which reveal exactly what the examiners reward.
FAQ
Does DELF expire?
No. The DELF diploma is valid for life. This is one of its main advantages over tests such as the TCF or TEF, whose results have a limited validity period.
Can I take B1 without doing A2 first?
Yes. DELF levels are independent — you can enter any level directly. Choose the level that matches your current ability, not the one you have already passed.
What happens if I get 49/100?
It is a fail. There is no rounding or compensation: you need 50 or more in total and at least 5/25 in each épreuve. You would resit the full exam.