The DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) is the gold-standard French language certification, recognised worldwide. Whether you're sitting A1, A2, B1 or B2, these 7 tips apply across all levels.
1. Know the Format Backwards
The DELF has four parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each part has its own timing and scoring. Before anything else, download the official grille d'évaluation and understand exactly how marks are awarded.
2. Practise With Real Past Papers
The CIEP publishes official sample papers. Do them under exam conditions — timed, no dictionary. Then review your errors carefully.
3. Don't Neglect the Oral
Many students over-prepare written sections and underprepare the oral. The speaking component is worth 25 points. Practise responding to prompts out loud, not just in your head.
4. Learn the Marking Criteria
Examiners mark against a grid. For writing, they're looking for: coherence, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and task completion. Write with the criteria in front of you.
5. Build Exam-Specific Vocabulary
Each level has typical themes. B1 papers often cover environment, technology, and social issues. Prepare topic-specific vocabulary banks for these areas.
6. Manage Your Time
In the writing section, spend the first 5 minutes planning. In listening, read the questions before the audio plays. Never leave blanks — an attempt is always better than nothing.
7. Take a Mock Exam 2 Weeks Before
Two weeks before your exam, do a full timed mock under real conditions. Identify weak areas and target them specifically in your final revision.
My DELF Prep Packs (available in the shop) include 3 full mock exams per level with official-style marking grids — exactly the practice you need.