Exam guide
DELF and DALF preparation: levels, scoring and lifetime diplomas
DELF certifies French at CEFR levels A1, A2, B1 and B2; DALF certifies the advanced levels C1 and C2. Each exam tests four skills scored out of 25 for a total of 100. You pass with 50 out of 100, but scoring under 5 out of 25 in any single skill is eliminatory. Unlike TEF and TCF, these are diplomas for life — they never expire and never need renewing.
- DELF levels
- A1–B2
- DALF levels
- C1–C2
- Pass mark
- 50 / 100
- Validity
- For life
What is the difference between DELF and DALF?
They are the same family of official French diplomas, split by level. DELF covers the first four CEFR levels, DALF the final two. You do not have to sit them in order — you can enter directly at the level that matches your French.
| Diploma | CEFR level | What it certifies |
|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 | A1 | Basic user. Simple everyday phrases, introductions, concrete needs. |
| DELF A2 | A2 | Basic user. Routine exchanges, simple descriptions of your background and surroundings. |
| DELF B1 | B1 | Independent user. Handles travel, work and study situations, and can give reasons and opinions. |
| DELF B2 | B2 | Independent user. Argues a point of view, follows complex text, holds fluent spontaneous conversation. |
| DALF C1 | C1 | Proficient user. Fluent and flexible for academic and professional life. |
| DALF C2 | C2 | Proficient user. Near-native precision and ease with implicit meaning. |
VOCALE teaches A1 to B2
The published VOCALE curriculum covers CEFR A1 through B2, which maps onto DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2. DALF C1 and C2 sit above the current program.
How is the DELF exam scored?
Every DELF and DALF exam assesses the same four skills: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written production and oral production. Each is marked out of 25, giving a total of 100.
- You need 50 out of 100 overall to be awarded the diploma.
- You must also score at least 5 out of 25 in every single skill. Anything below 5 is eliminatory.
- Three strong sections cannot rescue a fourth that falls under the 5-point floor — you fail the whole exam.
That eliminatory rule is the single most important thing to plan around. It makes your weakest skill, not your average, the thing that decides the outcome.
How long is each DELF exam?
Listening, reading and writing are sat together in a collective session. The oral is scheduled separately, one candidate at a time, and gets its own preparation time.
| Level | Collective session | Oral | Oral prep time |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 | 1 h 20 | 5–7 min | 10 min |
| DELF A2 | 1 h 35 – 1 h 40 | Short interview | 10 min |
| DELF B1 | 1 h 45 – 1 h 55 | Interview and argument | 10 min |
| DELF B2 | 2 h 30 | Up to 20 min | 30 min |
| DALF C1 | Longer, level-specific | Extended presentation | 60 min |
DELF or TEF/TCF — which do you actually need?
This is the question most students get wrong, and it is a question about purpose, not difficulty. The two families are not interchangeable.
| DELF / DALF | TEF Canada / TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | A diploma at a fixed CEFR level | A score converted to NCLC 1–12 |
| Validity | For life — never expires | 2 years from issue |
| Outcome | Pass or fail at the level you entered | A score, whatever you achieve |
| Used for | Study, work, personal certification, proof of level | Canadian immigration (Express Entry, PR) |
| Recognition | Internationally recognised French diplomas | Designated by IRCC for immigration |
- Applying for Canadian permanent residence? You need TEF Canada or TCF Canada. See the TEF guide and TCF guide.
- Want permanent proof of your French level for study, work or your own record? DELF or DALF, because it never expires.
- Doing both is common: a DELF diploma as a durable credential, a TEF or TCF score when an immigration file needs one.
How do you prepare for DELF?
- 1
Confirm the level before you register
DELF is pass or fail at the level you enter. Registering a level too high wastes a fee and a sitting. A free trial class settles it.
- 2
Find your floor, not your average
The 5-out-of-25 eliminatory rule means the weakest skill decides everything. Identify it early and weight class time toward it.
- 3
Train the four skills separately
Each is marked out of 25 on its own criteria. Generic conversation practice does not move the writing or listening marks on its own.
- 4
Rehearse the oral under real conditions
The oral is a scheduled solo exam with fixed preparation time. Practising it cold on the day is where confident speakers lose marks.
- 5
Sit it once, keep it forever
The diploma never expires, so a level passed now stays on your record permanently.
DELF and DALF preparation classes at VOCALE
DELF preparation is included in every VOCALE program at no extra cost. Classes are 100% live with certified tutors, Monday to Friday, one hour each, 20 to 22 classes per month, covering CEFR A1 through B2.
| Program | Price | Format | Typical A1 → B2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Classes | 200 CAD / month | 20–22 classes/month · groups of 4–5 | 10–12 months |
| Intensive 1-on-1 | 300 CAD / month | 20–22 classes/month · dedicated private tutor | 6–8 months |
| Free trial class | 0 CAD | One live class, no credit card required | — |
All prices in Canadian Dollars. No hidden fees, cancel anytime.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DELF and DALF?
DELF certifies CEFR levels A1, A2, B1 and B2. DALF certifies the advanced levels C1 and C2. They are the same family of official French diplomas, split by level, and both are valid for life.
What is the pass mark for DELF?
50 out of 100 overall, with each of the four skills marked out of 25. You must also score at least 5 out of 25 in every skill: a mark below 5 in any one skill is eliminatory and fails the whole exam regardless of your total.
Does a DELF diploma expire?
No. DELF and DALF diplomas are valid for life and never need renewal. This is the key difference from TEF Canada and TCF Canada, whose results expire two years after the test date.
Do I need DELF for Canadian immigration?
No. Canadian immigration programs use TEF Canada and TCF Canada, which are the French tests designated by IRCC. DELF and DALF are internationally recognised diplomas used for study, work and personal certification. Many students take both for different reasons.
Do I have to take DELF levels in order?
No. You can register directly for the level that matches your French. There is no requirement to pass A1 before sitting A2, or B1 before sitting B2.
How long is the DELF B2 exam?
The collective session covering listening, reading and writing runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. The oral is scheduled separately, lasts up to 20 minutes, and comes with 30 minutes of preparation time.
Which DELF levels does VOCALE prepare students for?
VOCALE teaches CEFR A1 through B2, which covers DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2. DALF C1 and C2 sit above the current published curriculum. DELF preparation is included in every program at no extra cost.
Find your DELF level in one free class
DELF is pass or fail at the level you register for, so entering at the right one matters. A free live class with a certified tutor places you accurately before you book anything.
Group Classes 200 CAD/month · Intensive 1-on-1 300 CAD/month · Cancel anytime