Can I prepare for one section more than the others?

You can but you should not. The minimum 5 per section rule means a weak fourth skill can sink an otherwise strong sitting. The safer play is to lift the weakest skill above 8 before pushing the others further.

How long do I wait between writing and speaking?

The three written sections (listening, reading, writing) usually run together in a morning. The speaking session is scheduled separately, often the same day or within the same week.

DELF · Syllabus

Four skills, four marks, one diploma per level.

Every DELF level tests the same four skills with the same scoring rules. What changes from A1 to B2 is the complexity of the source documents and the length of what you produce.

DELF A1

Around 1h20 plus 10 min preparation for speaking

Section	Format	Duration	Points
Listening	Multiple choice and short answers	20 min	25
Reading	Multiple choice and short answers	30 min	25
Writing	Fill a form and write a simple message	30 min	25
Speaking	Guided interview and information exchange	5 to 7 min preparation, 5 to 7 min speaking	25

Total 100 points across four sections of 25 each. Pass mark is 50 out of 100. A score below 5 in any single section is an automatic fail.

DELF A2

Around 1h40 plus preparation time

Section	Format	Duration	Points
Listening	Multiple choice and short answers	25 min	25
Reading	Multiple choice and short answers	30 min	25
Writing	Two short writings (note, message, letter)	45 min	25
Speaking	Guided interview, monologue, role play	6 to 8 min preparation, 6 to 8 min speaking	25

Total 100 points across four sections of 25 each. Pass mark is 50 out of 100. A score below 5 in any single section is an automatic fail.

DELF B1

Around 1h55 plus 10 min preparation

Section	Format	Duration	Points
Listening	Multiple choice and short answers	25 min	25
Reading	Comprehension of authentic texts	35 min	25
Writing	Personal expression on a familiar topic	45 min	25
Speaking	Guided interview, role play, monologue on a chosen topic	10 min preparation, 15 min speaking	25

Total 100 points across four sections of 25 each. Pass mark is 50 out of 100. A score below 5 in any single section is an automatic fail.

DELF B2

Around 2h30 plus 30 min preparation

Section	Format	Duration	Points
Listening	Authentic recordings, multiple choice and short answers	30 min	25
Reading	Comprehension of journalistic and argumentative texts	60 min	25
Writing	Argued personal stance (letter, contribution, article)	60 min	25
Speaking	Argued presentation of a viewpoint followed by debate with the examiner	30 min preparation, 20 min speaking	25

Total 100 points across four sections of 25 each. Pass mark is 50 out of 100. A score below 5 in any single section is an automatic fail.

The speaking section, in plain English

The speaking section is where most Indian candidates lose points unnecessarily. Each level has its own pattern.

A1 speaking: guided interview, then an information exchange with the examiner on a familiar topic (your family, your job, your routine).
A2 speaking: short interview, monologue on a personal topic, role play in a real life setting (shopping, asking for directions).
B1 speaking: guided interview, role play, then a 3 minute monologue on a chosen topic followed by a question and answer with the examiner.
B2 speaking: 30 minutes of preparation, then a 20 minute structured argument on a topic given by the examiner, followed by a debate.

Frequently asked questions

Answers anchored in the published rules from France Éducation International and the French government.

Each of the four sections (listening, reading, writing, speaking) is scored out of 25. Total out of 100, pass mark 50. A score below 5 in any single section is an automatic fail even if your overall score is above 50.

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