DELF DALF: the 6 levels, the papers and how to choose the right exam

The DELF DALF is the family of official diplomas in French as a foreign language issued by the French Ministry of Education. It has six diplomas, one for each level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: the DELF from A1 to B2, and the DALF for C1 and C2. In 2025 more than 513,000 candidates took them worldwide. This guide covers the six levels, paper timings, pass marks and how to choose the right exam.

DELF or DALF: what is the difference?

The DELF (diplôme d'études en langue française) certifies levels A1, A2, B1 and B2, from beginner to independent user. The DALF (diplôme approfondi de langue française) certifies levels C1 and C2, the proficient user. Both are run by France Éducation international, which writes the papers and approves a network of more than 1,200 exam centres across all its certifications.

Each level is an independent diploma. You can register directly for the DELF B2 without the B1, or for the DALF C1 without the DELF B2. There is no prerequisite, and you can choose the level that matches your own plans and current ability.

The 6 DELF DALF levels at a glance

The group papers (listening, reading, writing) are taken back to back on the same day. The oral is individual, with two examiners, on the same day or another day depending on the centre.

What you can do at each level

• A1 and A2: introduce yourself, talk about daily life, understand simple messages and write a short message (40 words minimum at A1, two 60-word texts at A2).
• B1: manage in most situations, tell a story, give a simple opinion; a text of at least 160 words.
• B2: understand complex documents and argue with nuance; a text of at least 250 words and a debate with the examiner. See our guide to the DELF B2 exam.
• C1: write a synthesis of documents and an argued text, then take a 30-minute oral (a talk followed by a discussion) after an hour of preparation.
• C2: produce a structured text from a file of about 2,000 words, and in the oral, report on an audio document, develop a point of view and debate with the jury.

Pass marks: how to pass the DELF or the DALF

From A1 to C1 the structure is the same: four papers marked out of 25, so 100 points. To get the diploma you need at least 50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each paper. A score below 5 in a single paper fails the whole exam, even with a good total.

The DALF C2 is the exception. It has only two papers, each marked out of 50: one written, one oral. You need at least 50/100 overall and at least 10/50 in each. Details are on the official DALF C1 and DALF C2 pages.

Two formats for the comprehension papers

France Éducation international is updating the DELF comprehension papers: eventually, every listening and reading question from A1 to B2 will be multiple choice, with a different number of exercises and document lengths. The change is gradual: for now, two formats are used in official sessions, and the organisation states that neither advantages nor disadvantages candidates.

In practice, train for both question types. Our DELF B2 sample papers follow the fully multiple-choice format. The writing and speaking papers keep the same structure.

DELF versions: adults, junior, Prim

• DELF tout public: for adults and older teenagers, A1 to B2.
• DELF junior and scolaire: for teenagers, A1 to B2, with age-appropriate topics. The school version is run with schools; in France it is for pupils whose first language is not French, and registration is free. See the official page.
• DELF Prim: for primary-age children, at levels A1.1, A1 and A2. See the official page.

All these versions have the same value as the adult DELF, and the version is not shown on the diploma.

Validity, registration and retakes

The DELF and DALF are valid for life and recognised worldwide. There is no expiry and no renewal. You register with an approved exam centre, not with France Éducation international, which does not run sessions itself.

You can retake an exam as many times as you need. Diplomas obtained before 2005 remain valid: the old DELF 1er degré matches B1, the 2nd degré matches B2 and the old DALF matches C1. All these rules are in the official FAQ.

How much does a DELF DALF exam cost?

There is no national fee: each centre sets the price of each level. As a rule, the higher the level, the more the exam costs. For example, the adult DELF B2 cost between €150 and €280 in the Paris region in October 2026, depending on the centre. Abroad, the fee is set in local currency by the Institut français or Alliance Française. Registration fees for DELF DALF exams are generally not refunded if you miss the exam.

Exam day for a DELF DALF exam

A few days before the session, the centre sends a notice with the venue, the time and often the date of the oral. On the day, bring your original ID. The group papers run back to back without a long break, and their total length ranges from 1 h 20 for the DELF A1 to 4 hours for the DALF C1. Results usually arrive several weeks later; the centre first gives you a certificate of achievement, then the diploma.

Which DELF DALF level for which goal?

For residence permits, the DELF and DALF are among the accepted diplomas; some categories of people are exempt. Check your situation on service-public.fr: residence permits and naturalisation. For university, holders of the DELF B2, DALF C1 or DALF C2 are exempt from the language test required in the prior admission procedure.

How to choose your exam

1. Start from your goal. The level required by the administration or the university is the minimum to aim for.
2. Measure your real level. A level test then a full mock exam beat a gut feeling. Start with our free B2 level test.
3. Do not aim too high. A fail costs a registration fee and weeks of waiting. If you are torn between two levels, read our comparison DELF B1 vs B2.
4. Find a centre and a date. Our DELF B2 registration guide and our list of DELF exam centres in Paris help you plan.

How to prepare depending on the level

The method is the same at every DELF DALF level: know the format, practise each paper and take timed mock exams. What changes is the material. At A1 and A2, work on everyday vocabulary and simple sentences. At B1, practise telling a story and giving your opinion. At B2, argument takes centre stage: formal letters, articles and debate. At C1 and C2, summarising documents and speaking with ease on complex topics make the difference. Allow several months of preparation to move from one level to the next.

Whatever your level, regular exposure to French matters as much as exam practice. Listen to the radio, read the press and write short texts every week. Then, a few weeks before the exam, switch to full mock exams under real conditions, so that the format holds no surprises on the day. A mock exam two weeks before the session also tells you which paper needs a final push, so you can spend your last revision days where they will earn the most points.

Preparing for the DELF B2

The DELF B2 is the most requested level: it opens the door to university and citizenship. To prepare, follow our 8-week study plan, practise with our DELF B2 tests and download our free practice test PDF.

In short

The DELF DALF family has six independent diplomas, valid for life: the DELF from A1 to B2, the DALF for C1 and C2. The papers follow the same logic at every level, with marks out of 100 and a minimum per paper. Choose your level from your goal and your real level, register at an approved centre and practise under exam conditions.