DELF A1 and A2: what the exams are like and how to pass them
By Thierry Gustin
Published
Updated
4 min read
Contents
- What is the difference between the DELF A1 and A2?
- What does the DELF A1 exam look like?
- What does the DELF A2 exam look like?
- How to prepare for the listening and reading papers
- How to prepare for the writing paper
- How to prepare for the speaking paper
- How much time do you need?
- How much do the DELF A1 and A2 cost?
- Frequently asked questions about the DELF A1 and A2
The DELF A1 and DELF A2 are the best way to turn your first months of French into an official diploma that never expires. They are very manageable exams if you know the format, and passing one is a great motivation to keep going. Here is what they are like and how to prepare for them.
What is the difference between the DELF A1 and A2?
- A1: you can introduce yourself, talk about your immediate surroundings, ask simple questions and understand very basic sentences if people speak slowly.
- A2: you can communicate in everyday tasks (shopping, asking for information, talking about your job or hobbies) and describe past events in simple terms.
The step up from A1 to A2 is mainly about verb tenses: at A2 you are expected to use the past (passé composé) and the near future (futur proche).
What does the DELF A1 exam look like?
| Paper | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 exercises | 20 min |
| Reading | 4 exercises | 30 min |
| Writing | Fill in a form and write a message of at least 40 words | 30 min |
| Speaking | Guided interview, information exchange and role-play dialogue | 5 to 7 min (+ 10 min preparation) |
What does the DELF A2 exam look like?
| Paper | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 exercises | 25 min |
| Reading | 4 exercises | 30 min |
| Writing | 2 texts of at least 60 words each | 45 min |
| Speaking | Guided interview, monologue and interaction exercise | 6 to 8 min (+ 10 min preparation) |
Sources: the official descriptions of the DELF A1 and the DELF A2. At both levels each paper is worth 25 points and you need 50 points out of 100, with at least 5 out of 25 in each paper.
How to prepare for the listening and reading papers
At A1 and A2, the documents are short and taken from everyday life: station announcements, voicemails, signs, emails, timetables. What is assessed is your ability to find a specific piece of information: a time, a price, a place, an action.
- Read the questions first and underline the information you are looking for.
- Learn numbers, times, days and months thoroughly: they come up in almost every exercise. You will find a complete review in French numbers.
- Listen to slow French every day: podcasts for beginners, videos with French subtitles.
How to prepare for the writing paper
At A1 you fill in a form (name, nationality, address…) and write a short message: an invitation, a postcard, a reply to a friend. At A2 you write two texts of at least 60 words, in which you tell a story about an event or describe an experience.
- Follow the instructions: if you are asked to suggest a date and a place, check that your text includes both.
- Open and close with suitable formulas (Salut Marie, Bisous for a friend; Bonjour Madame, Cordialement in a formal context).
- Write short, correct sentences: at these levels, a simple sentence written correctly is worth more than a long one full of mistakes.
How to prepare for the speaking paper
The speaking paper always starts with a guided interview: the examiner asks you about your name, your family, your job or your likes. Prepare it in advance: it is the part that secures the most points.
Then, at A1, you exchange questions based on key words and act out a simple dialogue (for example, buying something). At A2 you give a short monologue on an everyday topic and take part in an interaction with the examiner.
How much time do you need?
The Alliance Française de Leeds estimates 60 to 100 hours of learning for A1 and 160 to 200 hours for A2, counted from scratch. With two private lessons a week and a little daily practice, many English-speaking students reach A1 within a few months, because English shares a great deal of vocabulary with French. You will find more details in how long it takes to learn French.
How much do the DELF A1 and A2 cost?
Fees depend on the centre. In Madrid, for instance, the 2026 fees at the Institut français de Madrid are €87 for the DELF A1 and €115 for the DELF A2.
Frequently asked questions about the DELF A1 and A2
Is it worth sitting the DELF A1?
Yes, especially as motivation: it is an official diploma that never expires and it makes you consolidate the basics. If you can already cope in everyday situations, go straight for the A2.
Can I sit the A2 without having taken the A1?
Yes. Each level is a separate diploma, with no prerequisites.
What grammar do you need for the DELF A2?
The present, the passé composé, the near future, articles, negation and the most common pronouns. You will find a review of negation in French negation.
Can you fail the A1 speaking paper?
Yes, if you score below 5 out of 25. But with a well-prepared introduction and some practice with questions and answers, it is the easiest paper to secure.
If you would like to prepare for your first diploma with a native teacher, my DELF and DALF preparation lessons are adapted to every level, from A1 upwards.
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