DELF B2 Institut français: the complete guide (France Education international, ex-CIEP)

Searching for "DELF B2 Institut français" to find where to sit the exam, or keep seeing the names France Education international, CIEP, Alliance Française and "delfdalf" without knowing who does what? This guide explains the role of each body, where to take the exam in France and abroad, and who to contact for each question: registration, results or the diploma itself.

In short: a public body designs and manages the diploma, and a network of approved centres runs the sessions. The Institut français is one of those centres, in many countries.

Who does what for the DELF B2?

Remember the simple rule: for any practical question, contact your exam centre. France Education international does not handle individual registrations.

France Education international, formerly the CIEP

France Education international is a public body under the French Ministry of National Education. Its head office is in Sèvres, near Paris. Until 2019 it was called the CIEP, the Centre international d'études pédagogiques. That is why many documents, textbooks and forums still mention the "CIEP" for the DELF B2: it is the same organisation.

For the DELF and the DALF, its role is central:

• It designs the papers and sets their format, timing and marking scales.
• It publishes the official rules and sample papers for practice.
• It trains and accredits the examiners who mark the writing and speaking papers.
• It also runs the TCF, a level test rather than a diploma. Our guide to the B2 French exam compares the DELF, the TCF and the TEF.

The official DELF tout public page on the France Education international website remains the reference for the exam rules. FEI also states that two formats of the comprehension papers are currently in use in official sessions: ask your centre which one you will sit.

"FEI", "CIEP", "delfdalf": the names you will come across

Three labels come up again and again. FEI is short for France Education international. CIEP is its former name. And "delfdalf" simply refers to the DELF and the DALF: many websites use the word, but not all of them are official. For rules, format changes or sample papers, rely on the France Education international website and your exam centre. Be wary of sites that promise a diploma without an exam or "real papers" for sale: the DELF B2 is only taken in person, at an approved centre.

DELF B2 Institut français: how to register

The Instituts français are France's cultural network abroad. They report to the embassies and offer French classes, cultural events and, in most countries, the official exams. For many candidates outside France, the DELF B2 Institut français route is the simplest option: a well-known centre, regular sessions and often preparation classes on site.

In practice, registering at an Institut français works like this:

1. Find the centre. Search for "DELF" on the website of the Institut français in your country or city, or check the official list of centres.
2. Pick a session. Dates are set locally. There are usually several sessions a year, and registration closes several weeks before the exam.
3. Register and pay. The DELF B2 Institut français fee is set locally, in local currency, and varies a lot from country to country.
4. Receive your exam notice. It gives the times of the written papers and of the speaking test, which may be on a different day.

Choose the right version: the DELF B2 tout public for adults, the DELF B2 junior for teenagers. Our article on the DELF B2 junior and scolaire explains the differences. In some countries the Institut français also offers a school version taken through the student's school.

And in France? The Institut français does not run the exam

This is a common mix-up. In France, the Institut français is a cultural agency that works abroad: you cannot take the DELF B2 there. In France, about 140 centres are approved: university French-as-a-foreign-language centres, Alliances Françaises and language schools. Fees there usually range from €125 to €280, depending on the centre.

If you live in Paris or the Île-de-France region, our guide to DELF B2 exam centres in Paris compares the main centres, their fees and their sessions. For the rest of France, the DELF B2 registration guide covers the steps, the documents to prepare and the deadlines.

Institut français or Alliance Française: which one?

Alliances Françaises are local associations, registered under local law and linked in a worldwide network. They teach French and, in many cities, also run the DELF. For the candidate, the outcome is exactly the same: the papers come from France Education international, marking follows the same grids and the diploma is identical.

So the choice comes down to practical points:

• The session date closest to your goal, for example a university application.
• The location, especially if you have to come back another day for the speaking test.
• The fee, which can differ between two centres in the same city.
• The preparation on offer: some centres run classes or a mock exam before the session.

Before you register: what to prepare

Whatever the centre, a few simple steps prevent unpleasant surprises:

• A valid ID document. The name you enter when registering must match your ID exactly: it is the name that will appear on the diploma. You will also show it on exam day.
• A realistic session date. Allow two to three months of preparation after a first level test. If you are aiming for a university intake, also check how long results take.
• Availability for the speaking test. The speaking paper often takes place on a different day from the written papers. Keep your diary flexible during the exam week.
• Any special arrangements. If you have a disability, say so when you register: the centre and France Education international look at possible arrangements.

On the day, arrive early with your exam notice and your ID. The written papers (listening, reading and writing) follow one another on a strict timetable.

Results and diploma: who to contact

Your centre gives you your results, usually a few weeks after the exam. To pass, you need at least 50/100 overall and 5/25 in each of the four papers; our article on a good DELF B2 score explains the calculation. The paper diploma comes later, often several months afterwards. In the meantime, many centres issue a certificate of achievement, which is useful for a university or job application.

For any question about a mark, a delayed diploma or a certificate, first contact the centre where you took the exam. Keep your diploma safe: it is valid for life, and a lost diploma is not normally reissued. The centre can, however, tell you how to obtain a certificate.

Other exams run by France Education international

At an Institut français or an Alliance Française, you will often see several exams on offer. France Education international runs all of them, but they meet different needs:

• The DELF, from A1 to B2, in general, junior and scolaire, or professional versions.
• The DALF, for C1 and C2, useful if you aim for a very advanced level after B2.
• The TCF, a test that measures your level at a given date. It is not a diploma and its certificate is only valid for a limited time, whereas the DELF is valid for life.

If a university or an administration asks you for "B2 level French", check whether it requires a diploma such as the DELF B2 or also accepts a test such as the TCF. The right choice depends on that answer, not on the centre you pick.

Preparing well, whatever the centre

The exam centre does not change the level expected: everywhere, the DELF B2 assesses the same thing, independent French that can build an argument. Before registering, check your level with our free B2 level test, then practise in real conditions with our online DELF B2 tests, marked as on exam day. The DELF B2 exam guide presents each paper, and our page on the DELF and DALF levels helps you confirm that B2 is the right target.

In short

France Education international, formerly the CIEP, designs and manages the diploma; approved centres run the sessions. Abroad, the DELF B2 Institut français or Alliance Française route leads to exactly the same diploma, valid for life. In France, go to a university, an Alliance Française or an approved school. Either way, your centre is the place to ask about registration, results and the diploma.