How to prepare for the DELF exam - 2025 guide

1. What is the DELF Exam?

The DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) is an internationally respected certificate issued by the French Ministry of Education. It's your official proof of French-language skills - accepted worldwide by schools, universities, employers, and immigration authorities.

This guide focuses on the “tout public” version, which is designed for adults and older teens who want to validate their French at levels A1 to B2. If you would like to continue with C1 and C2, consider reading our guide about DALF exam.

2. Why choose DELF?

• For work: Required for certain jobs in France or French-speaking countries.
• For study: Many universities require B2 for admission.
• For immigration: Accepted for visa and residency applications.
• For personal goals: Measure your progress in French.

3. Understanding the levels (A1–B2)

Across all levels (A1 to B2), the DELF assesses your ability to:

• Understand spoken French
• Read a variety of texts
• Write clearly and appropriately
• Speak with confidence in real-life situations

Each level is independent, you choose the one that matches your skills and goals.

4. DELF Exam structure and timing

DELF A1 - Beginner

Total duration: ~1h20

Listening – 20 min

• Short, slow conversations or recorded messages
• Simple everyday situations: greetings, shopping, directions

Reading – 30 min

• Signs, forms, short personal notes, and simple brochures

Writing – 30 min

• Fill in personal details on a form
• Write a short message (holiday greeting, thank-you note, or invitation)

Speaking – 5–7 min (+10 min prep)

• Introduce yourself and ask/answer personal questions
• Talk about familiar topics like home, hobbies, or daily routine

DELF A2 - Basic UserTotal duration: ~1h40

Listening – 25 min

• Short everyday conversations, announcements, or recorded messages
• Situations at the station, shops, or on the phone

Reading – 30 min

• Posters, brochures, menus, simple emails

Writing – 45 min

• Write a simple letter (invitation, thank-you note)
• Short description of personal experiences or daily life

Speaking – 6–8 min (+10 min prep)

• Short personal presentation
• Express likes/dislikes and make small requests in simple role-plays

DELF B1 - Independent User

Total duration: ~1h45

Listening – 25 min

• Conversations, news items, or interviews on familiar topics
• Extract main points from everyday and public-life situations

Reading – 35 min

• Simple news articles, blog posts, letters
• Understand main arguments and relevant details

Writing – 45 min

• Write an email or letter giving your opinion
• Present arguments for/against a familiar issue

Speaking – 15 min (+10 min prep)

• Personal presentation and discussion
• Answer follow-up questions and react to a given situation

DELF B2 - Communicating with confidence

Total duration: ~2h30

Listening – 30 min

• Interviews, debates, or reports at natural speed

Reading – 1h

• Opinion pieces, articles, and official documents
• Grasp meaning, nuance, and structure

Writing – 1h

• Develop a structured argument on a social or abstract topic
• Use clear organization and cohesive devices

Speaking – 20 min (+30 min prep)

• Present a viewpoint on a given topic
• Debate with the examiner and justify your perspective

5. How much does it cost?

Prices vary slightly depending on the test center and country. As a general guide:

• A1: ~€100
• A2: ~€120
• B1: ~€140
• B2: ~€170

6. Choosing your level

• Take an official placement test (many are free)
• Do a mock exam to see where you stand
• Choose the level that matches your current skills or one step up if you’ve got time to prepare

7. How to prepare effectively

If you start 3-6 months before exam day:

• Study 30-45 minutes a day
• Focus on your weakest skills
• Use real DELF past papers and model tests

If you start 1-2 months before:

• Increase to 1-2 hours/day
• Do weekly timed mock exams
• Practice speaking regularly, even alone or with AI tools

Oral skills tips:

• Talk to native speakers or check out our conversation classes
• Use certified sources and learning methods
• Record yourself and assess fluency and structure
• Get feedback from a teacher or tutor

8. Want a boost? Consider our DELF prep course

Sometimes self-study isn’t enough. A prep course can offer:

• Structure and a clear roadmap
• Real corrections on your speaking and writing
• Strategy sessions to help you perform better on exam day
• Motivation, feedback, and accountability 

Choose your level, build your plan, stay consistent and you’ll get there.

Bonne chance!