DELF B1 guide
DELF B1 exam format and scoring: sections, timing and pass mark
The DELF B1 has four sections, each marked out of 25. You pass with at least 50 out of 100 overall and no less than 5 out of 25 in any section. The three group sections (listening, reading, writing) take 1 hour 55 minutes in one sitting; the speaking test is taken separately and lasts 10 to 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes of preparation.
Updated October 2026
The four sections at a glance
- Section
- Listening (Compréhension de l’oral)
- Time
- about 25 min
- Points
- 25
- What you do
- Answer questions on three recordings, each played twice
- Section
- Reading (Compréhension des écrits)
- Time
- 45 min
- Points
- 25
- What you do
- Answer questions in two or three exercises
- Section
- Writing (Production écrite)
- Time
- 45 min
- Points
- 25
- What you do
- Write one text of at least 160 words
- Section
- Speaking (Production orale)
- Time
- 10–15 min + 10 min preparation
- Points
- 25
- What you do
- Talk with two examiners in three parts
| Section | Time | Points | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (Compréhension de l’oral) | about 25 min | 25 | Answer questions on three recordings, each played twice |
| Reading (Compréhension des écrits) | 45 min | 25 | Answer questions in two or three exercises |
| Writing (Production écrite) | 45 min | 25 | Write one text of at least 160 words |
| Speaking (Production orale) | 10–15 min + 10 min preparation | 25 | Talk with two examiners in three parts |
Listening, reading and writing are taken together as a group, in that order. The speaking test is individual and is often scheduled on a different day by the exam center.
How the pass mark works
Two conditions must both be met: a total of at least 50 out of 100, and at least 5 out of 25 in each of the four sections. A strong result in three sections does not make up for a score below 5 in the fourth.
- 18 + 17 + 12 + 15 = 62 out of 100, every section at 5 or more — pass.
- 20 + 19 + 4 + 17 = 60 out of 100, but writing at 4 — fail.
- 14 + 12 + 11 + 12 = 49 out of 100 — fail, even though every section is above 5.
The DELF diploma has no expiry date. Once you pass, it is valid for life.
Listening (Compréhension de l’oral)
You hear three recordings of everyday or media French — a dialogue about an everyday situation and two radio shows or recordings, one on a work-related topic and one on an everyday topic — with up to 6 minutes of audio in total. Each recording is played twice.
Two official formats are used in exam sessions. In one, all questions are multiple choice and the points are split 7 + 9 + 9 in the sample paper; in the other, some questions need a short written answer and the split in its sample paper is 6 + 8 + 11. You cannot pause or replay a recording yourself. The listening guide, linked below, covers both formats in detail.
Reading (Compréhension des écrits)
You have 45 minutes. In both official formats, the first exercise asks you to compare several short texts, such as ads or offers, against a person’s needs. Then come longer articles on general topics, with questions on their content and the author’s point of view: two articles with multiple-choice questions in one format, one longer article with some short answers and true/false questions you justify with a quote in the other. In the sample papers the whole section is split 8 + 8 + 9 and 10 + 15 points. The reading guide, linked below, explains both.
Writing (Production écrite)
You write one text of at least 160 words in 45 minutes: a forum post, a letter or email to a friend, a more formal email, or an article. In every case you give your opinion and support it with facts, examples or personal experience.
The text is marked on five criteria worth 5 points each: task completion, coherence and cohesion, sociolinguistic appropriateness, vocabulary and grammar. A text under half the required length scores 0. The writing guide, linked below, explains each criterion and shows a model answer.
Speaking (Production orale)
The speaking test has three parts. Only the last one has preparation time.
- Guided interview (entretien dirigé, 2–3 minutes): you talk about yourself, your activities and your interests. No preparation.
- Interaction (exercice en interaction, 3–4 minutes): you draw two subjects and choose one, then act out an everyday situation with the examiner, such as solving a problem or convincing someone. No preparation.
- Point of view (expression d’un point de vue, 5–7 minutes): you draw two short texts and choose one, prepare for 10 minutes before the test begins, then present your opinion on its topic for about 3 minutes and answer the examiner’s questions.
Each of the three parts is worth 4 points for task completion. The remaining 13 points assess the whole test: vocabulary (5), grammar (4) and pronunciation (4).
How to use this when you prepare
- Practice each section under its real time limit: knowing the material is not enough if you run out of time.
- Watch the 5-out-of-25 minimum: find your weakest section early and work on it first.
- For writing, practice reaching 160 words with a clear plan, and get feedback against the five criteria rather than a general impression.