Understand the different tests and levels of DELF and DALF

DELF and DALF contents description

DELF A1 - User basic

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three or four very short recordings on everyday life (played twice). Maximum duration of recordings: 3 mins.	20 mins approx.	/25
Reading	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with four or five written documents on everyday life.	30 mins	/25
Writing	Two part test: - filling in a record, a form, - writing simple phrases (postcards, messages, stories etc) on everyday topics.	30 mins	/25
Speaking	Three part test: - guided conversation, - exchanging information, - role-play.	5 à 7 mins + 10 mins of preparation	/25

DELF A2 - User basic

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three or four short recordings on everyday life (played twice). Maximum duration of recordings: 5 mins.	25 mins approx.	/25
Reading	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three or four short recordings on everyday life.	30 mins	/25
Writing	Two short pieces of writing (letter to a friend or message) - describe an event or personal experiences, - invite, thank, say sorry, ask for something, give information, congratulate in writing...	45 mins	/25
Speaking	Three part test: - guided conversation, - exchanging information, - role-play.	6 à 8 mins + 10 mins of preparation	/25

DELF B1 - User independent

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three recordings (played twice). Maximum duration of recordings: 6 mins.	25 mins approx.	/25
Reading	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with two written documents: - extract useful information concerning a particular task, - analyse the contents of a document of general interest.	35 mins	/25
Writing	Express personal opinions on a general topic (essay, letter, article etc).	45 mins	/25
Speaking	Test in three parts: - guided conversation, - interactive exercise, - expressing an opinion on a document designed to elicit a reaction.	15 mins approx. + 10 mins of preparation (only concern the 3rd part of the test)	/25

DELF B2 - User independent

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three recordings: - interview, news bulletin etc (played once), - presentation, lecture, speech, documentary, radio or television programme (played twice). Maximum duration of recordings: 8 mins.	30 mins approx.	/25
Reading	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with two written documents: - text of an informational nature regarding France or the French-speaking world, - text of an argumentative nature.	1h	/25
Writing	Taking a personal stand (contributing to a debate, formal letter, review of a film/book).	1h	/25
Speaking	Stating and defending an opinion based on a short document designed to elicit a reaction.	20 mins approx. + 30 mins of preparation	/25

B2 level is requested to attend a French university.
For professional development, it is strongly recommended.

DALF C1 - User proficient

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with recordings: - a long recording (interview, lesson, conference...) approximately eight minutes long (played twice), - several short radio broadcasts (newsflashes, surveys, adverts etc) (played once). Maximum duration of recordings: 10 mins.	40 mins approx.	/25
Reading	Comprehension questionnaires dealing with a text of ideas (literary or journalistic), 1,500 to 2,000 words long.	50 mins	/25
Writing	Two part test: - Summarise several written documents totalling approximately 1,000 words, - write an essay with supporting arguments on the contents of the documents. Candidate can choose between two fields: humanities and social studies, science.	2h30	/25
Speaking	A presentation based on a series of written documents, followed by a discussion with the examiners. Candidates can choose between two fields: humanities and social studies, science.	30 mins + 1h of preparation	/25

DALF C2 - User proficient

COMPETENCE	TYPE OF TESTS	DURATION	MARK
Listening and speaking	Three part test: - write-up the contents of a recording (played twice) - personal development based on the problem given in the recording - debate with the examiners. Candidates can choose between two fields: humanities and social studies, science.	30 mins + 1h of preparation	/50
Reading and writing	Writing a structured text (article, editorial, report, speech etc) based on several documents totalling approximately 2,000 words. Candidates can choose between two fields: humanities and social studies, science.	3h30	/50