Are you a non-native French speaker seeking to enhance your French skills for education abroad or other purposes? French citizens without a diploma from a French public secondary or higher education institution can also take the Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) and Diplome Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF) exams.
The DELF and DALF are official diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education to certify proficiency in French. DELF consists of 4 independent diplomas corresponding to the first four levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Whereas, DALF assesses advanced proficiency in French for candidates who have achieved higher levels of language competence.
Table of Contents
What is DELF Exam
French Ministry of Education offers non-native French speakers two official French language diplomas - DELF and Diplome Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF). In addition to the DELF test, there are exams designed specifically for children and teens.
In secondary and higher Secondary schools, the DELF Junior diploma certifies the French language proficiency of non-native speakers. The age range for this certification is from 11 to 17 years. Additionally, primary schools also certify kids between 7 and 11 years old with the DELF Prim diploma.
A DELF certification can prove highly beneficial for individuals seeking a job in France or other French-speaking nations like Switzerland, Canada, or Belgium. This certification is internationally recognized, and foreign countries often consider this degree to evaluate your skills in the language.
Levels of DELF Exam
The French language recognition received from your school, university, or professional background in the form of DELF consists of different levels. These levels differ between age groups.
- A Level: Basic French language users
- B Level: Independent French language users
- C Level: Master French language users
This section offers a detailed analysis of the DELF exam levels.
Exam |
Level |
Skills |
DELF Prim |
A1.1 |
|
DELF Prim |
A1 |
|
DELF Prim DELF Junior DELF |
A2 |
|
DELF Junior DELF |
B1 |
|
DELF Junior DELF |
B2 |
|
DALF |
C1 |
|
DALF |
C2 |
|
A thorough understanding of these levels will help you take the DELF test most suitable for your proficiency.
NOTE:
- DELF is a standardized test suitable for all ages.
- DALF is an Advanced French Language Diploma, which is also part of the DELF certification.
Importance of DELF Exam
You may be wondering what makes the DELF exam so important. Here is an outlook on that.
- This diploma has a lifelong validity.
- The DELF certificate is recognized by 174 countries globally.
- It officially validates your French learning.
- There are 274 million people speaking French globally, which is expected to reach 700 million by 2050.
- French is the official language in Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and 25 other countries. Understanding the language allows you to adjust to any French-speaking country easily.
- Your access to higher education and career opportunities will expand in French countries.
Most importantly, being certified by the French Ministry, the authenticity and prestige of this diploma are highly recognized.
Exam Format
Wondering what is DELF exam and the format entail?
The DELF exam assesses four language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. It consists of four sections, with a total duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes. The overall pass mark is 50/100, with each section requiring a minimum of 5/25 marks for a pass.
Listening Comprehension
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Marks: 25
- Description: This section includes three or four short recordings related to everyday life situations. Each recording will be played 2 times. Candidates are required to answer questions based on what they hear.
Reading Comprehension
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Marks: 25
- Description: Candidates read four or five written texts, such as short notices, emails, or simple articles on familiar topics. The texts describe everyday activities and daily life.
Writing Production
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Marks: 25
- Description: Divided into two sections:
Part 1: Candidates fill in personal information on a form (e.g., name, address, date of birth).
Part 2: Candidates write short texts (postcards, messages, notes) on everyday topics. This tests their ability to communicate simple information clearly and coherently.
Speaking
- Duration: Approximately 20 minutes (including preparation time)
- Marks: 25
- Description: Divided into three parts:
- Part 1 (Guided Conversation): Candidates engage in a conversation with the examiner on a familiar topic (e.g., hobbies, daily routines).
- Part 2 (Interactive Exercise): Candidates participate in an interactive exchange with the examiner, responding to questions and providing information.
- Part 3 (Role Play): Candidates act out a role-play scenario, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions. This assesses their ability to handle common situations in French-speaking contexts.
Exam Scores
The total score of the DELF exam is 100. Each of your skills is marked out 25.
You need to score a minimum of 50 to pass the exam. However, you must need at least 5 out of 25 marks to pass every skill.
DELF Exam Dates 2024
Here is a detailed outlook of the DELF exam dates.
Exam Name |
Session |
Registration Date |
Exam Date |
DELF
|
March |
8th February |
11th –15th March |
June |
10th May |
10th–14th June |
|
July |
18th June |
22nd–26th July |
|
September |
20th August |
23rd–27th September |
|
December |
8th November |
10th–14th December |
|
DELF Junior
|
April |
18th March |
22nd–25th April |
July |
18th June |
22nd–25th July |
|
December |
28th October |
2nd–9th December |
|
DELF Prim
|
April |
5th January - 5th February |
22nd–24th April |
December |
16th August –16th September |
2nd–9th December |
Now that you know the exam dates, start preparing for the exam accordingly.
DELF and DALF Exam Centers in India
Are you looking to take the DELF or DALF exams in India? Explore the various DELF and DALF exam centers across India and DELF exam dates 2024 in India to find the most convenient location for your French language proficiency test:
City |
Alliance Française Center |
Ahmedabad |
Alliance française d’Ahmedabad |
Bangalore |
Alliance française de Bengalore |
Bhopal |
Alliance française de Bhopal |
Calcutta |
Alliance française du Bengale |
Chandigarh |
Alliance française “Le Corbusier” |
Chennai |
Alliance française de Madras |
Coimbatore |
PSG Institute of Management |
Goa |
Alliance française de Panjim-Goa |
Hyderabad |
Alliance française Hyderabad |
Jaipur |
Alliance française de Jaipur |
Mumbai |
Alliance française de Bombay |
New-Delhi |
Alliance française de Delhi |
Pondichéry |
Alliance française de Pondichéry |
Pune |
Alliance française de Pune |
Trivandrum |
Alliance française de Trivandrum |
DELF Exam Fees
Below, you will find the DELF exam fees for each test level.
Delf Exam Level |
Fee Range |
DELF A1 |
₹8,620/- + GST (for external students), ₹5,603/- + GST (for partner institution) |
DELF A2 |
₹8,620/- + GST (for external students), ₹6,034/- + GST (for partner institution) |
DELF B1 - B2 |
₹ 6,732+ GST(for partner institutions) ₹10,200+ GST (for external students) |
DALF C1 - C2 |
₹7,458 + GST(for partner institutions) ₹11,300 + GST(for external students) |
Source: Official Website
FAQs
Which diploma is my suitable option - DELF or DALF?
It depends on your French language proficiency level. If you are a beginner or at an intermediate or upper-intermediate level, the DELF exam should be your choice. If you are at an advanced or master level, you can go for the DALF exam.
What is considered a good mark for the DELF exam?
While 50 is your pass mark out of 100, and good marks are relative, scoring 75 is usually considered a good result. However, you must score at least 5 in each of the 4 sections to pass the DELF test.
How do I prepare for my DELF exam?
You can prepare yourself with the sample papers available on the exam site. This way, you will understand the exam format and track your time. The more you practice with these papers, the better you will prepare. You can also download preparation books to study for the exam.
What is the DELF exam for?
The DELF exam certifies your French language proficiency, which is beneficial for academic, professional, and personal purposes. It is recognized worldwide and opens up opportunities for studying, working, and living in French-speaking countries.
What is level 7 in French?
Level 7 in French, individuals have an intermediate proficiency. They can converse fluently in every day or work-related situations, understand complex conversations and texts, and write coherent and detailed content with occasional errors.
What is Grade 12 in French?
In DELF, Grade 12 corresponds to the B2 level on the CEFR. At this level, candidates have a solid intermediate proficiency in French, including understanding complex speech, interacting fluently with native speakers, comprehending high-frequency texts, and writing detailed texts on various subjects.
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