Best DELF B2 books: the top prep books for the new format (2026)

DELF B2 books are still a great way to structure your preparation. But they are not all equal, and many editions still on sale follow the old exam format. This guide presents the main prep books for the new format, what they contain, who they suit and how to complement them.

The information comes from the publishers' pages and the official France Education international bibliography. Always check the edition before buying.

Choosing the right DELF B2 books

Check the format

Since the reform, listening and reading are fully multiple choice. A book without « nouveau format d'épreuves » or « nouvelles épreuves » will train you on exercises that no longer exist.

Pick the right version

The DELF B2 tout public is for adults. The junior and scolaire versions have topics suited to teenagers. The diploma is the same, but choose the book that matches your version.

Look at the extras

Downloadable audio, online practice, detailed answers: these extras often make the difference when you study alone.

The main DELF B2 books for the new format

1. ABC DELF B2 (CLE International)

The most widely used practice book. It offers 200 DELF-style activities, 50 per skill, mock exams, grammar and vocabulary reviews, and online practice. A new « nouvelles épreuves » edition came out in 2025. Best for: candidates who want lots of practice.

2. DELF tout public B2, nouveau format d'épreuves (Hachette FLE)

Built around discovering each paper, with method sheets and self-assessments, plus four full mock exams. Best for: learners who want to understand the method before practising.

3. Le DELF 100 % réussite B2 (Didier)

A series that alternates method and practice, with a junior and scolaire edition for the new format. Best for: teenagers and learners who like guided progress. Check for « nouvelles épreuves » on the tout public edition.

4. Préparer le DELF B1 et B2 : production écrite (PUG)

A writing-focused book, updated in 2024 with the new grid, and a matching volume for speaking. Best for: candidates whose writing or speaking is the weak point.

5. ABC DELF Junior scolaire B2 (CLE International)

The teen version of ABC DELF: 200 DELF-style activities and mock exams, with age-appropriate topics. Best for: pupils taking the junior or scolaire DELF B2.

Quick comparison

Book	Strengths	Ideal for
ABC DELF B2 (CLE)	200 activities, mock exams, online	Lots of practice
DELF tout public B2 (Hachette)	Method sheets, 4 mock exams	Understanding the method
DELF 100 % réussite B2 (Didier)	Guided method + practice	Step-by-step work
Production écrite B1–B2 (PUG)	In-depth writing, 2024 grid	Strengthening writing
ABC DELF Junior B2 (CLE)	Teen topics	Junior and scolaire DELF

DELF B2 books as free PDFs: be careful

Many candidates look for free PDF downloads of DELF B2 books. These files are illegal copies, often old editions in an outdated format, and sometimes a source of viruses. Free and legal resources are better:

• the official sample papers from France Education international;
• public libraries, which often lend these books;
• the free test no. 1 of each paper on our site, presented in our DELF B2 sample papers.

How to use a DELF B2 book effectively

1. Start with your weakest paper, found with our free B2 level test.
2. Do the exercises against the clock, as in the exam.
3. Mark your work straight away and log every mistake in a notebook.
4. Save the mock exams for the last weeks, under real conditions.
5. Add authentic material: radio, press, videos.

A book and a study plan go together. Follow our 8-week DELF B2 study plan and use your book for each week's exercises.

Working with a DELF B2 book week by week

A prep book works best with a calendar. Here is how to spread a book such as ABC DELF B2 over eight weeks:

Weeks	Part of the book
1	Exam overview and a first mock exam, untimed
2 to 3	Listening and reading activities
4 to 5	Writing and speaking activities, with the grids
6 to 7	Mock exams under real conditions
8	Review of weak points and method sheets

Complementary books: grammar and vocabulary

DELF B2 books target the exam. To strengthen the language itself, two series are widely used:

• Grammaire progressive du français, niveau avancé (CLE International): a rule on the left page, exercises on the right. Ideal for the subjunctive, sequence of tenses and relative pronouns.
• Vocabulaire progressif du français, niveau avancé (CLE International): vocabulary by topic, useful for writing and speaking.
• A verb conjugation guide, such as the Bescherelle, to check a verb form at a glance.

Reading to improve

No book replaces regular reading. Read one press article on a social topic every day, then a contemporary novel at your own pace. Note ten new words a week and reuse them in your writing and speaking. This habit improves reading comprehension faster than any exercise.

How many DELF B2 books should you buy?

One practice book is enough in most cases, plus a targeted book if writing or speaking is your weak point. Buying three books to skim is less effective than finishing one completely. Borrow others from a library if you want more variety.

General B2 French course books

DELF B2 books train you for the exam, but they don't replace a full language course. If your level is still shaky, a general B2 course book will help you progress faster:

• Édito B2 (Didier): a French course for adults, organised in themed units, with authentic documents and DELF-style activities.
• Alter Ego+ 4 (Hachette FLE): a B2-level course that works on all four skills through social topics.

These courses are often used in class, but you can also follow them alone with the workbook and answer key.

Questions to ask before buying

1. Is the edition for the new format? Look for it on the cover.
2. Does the book match my version of the DELF: tout public or junior?
3. Are answer keys included? Without them, working alone becomes hard.
4. Is the audio accessible? CD, download or app: check you can actually play it.
5. What is my weak point? A general book for practice, a targeted book for writing or speaking.

Second-hand DELF B2 books: be careful

Buying second-hand is a good way to save money, on two conditions. First, check the edition: many used books date from before the reform. Second, check that the exercises haven't been filled in and that the audio or online access still works. An online access code is often valid for a single user only.

The right balance

The best programme combines three things: a DELF B2 book for method, authentic material for the language and online mock exams for real conditions. None of the three is enough alone, but together they cover everything the exam asks for.

Books for younger learners

Teenagers preparing the junior or scolaire version should choose books written for them: the topics are closer to their daily life, which makes the documents easier to engage with. The exam structure and the diploma are the same as the tout public version.

Using a book's mock exams well

The mock exams are the most valuable part of a prep book. Don't waste them at the start of your preparation. Keep them for the last three weeks and take them under real conditions: one morning, no dictionary, with a timer. Then mark yourself with the answer key and compare your score with our online tests to check your progress.

Complementary digital resources

Alongside books, a few free online resources round out your preparation well: TV5Monde Apprendre exercises, RFI Français facile audio, the online press and podcasts. For practice under exam conditions, our online tests add the timer, built-in audio and instant marking.

A note on answer keys

Use answer keys only after you have finished an exercise, never during it. For writing tasks, compare your text with the model answer section by section: structure first, then set phrases, then vocabulary. You will learn more from this comparison than from the mark alone.

Do you need a book for each paper?

No. A complete practice book covers all four papers. A targeted book is only useful for a genuinely weak paper, usually writing or speaking. For comprehension, authentic material and new-format papers are generally enough.

Digital or paper books?

Some books come in a digital version or with an online book. Digital is handy for audio and automatic marking; paper is nicer for writing exercises and notes. Choose according to how you work: what matters is finishing the book, not its format.

Finally, don't hesitate to ask your exam centre or teacher for advice: they know which books best suit your level and your version of the DELF. Many centres also keep copies you can consult before buying, so you can compare two books side by side and choose the one whose style you find easiest to work with.

Book or online practice?

Books are ideal for method and writing. Online practice adds built-in audio, a timer and instant marking of multiple-choice questions. The most effective approach is often to combine both: a book to learn, online tests to practise under real conditions.