DELF / DALF Exam 2024 - French Proficiency Test

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.

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	Understanding of familiar and daily expressions used commonly in everyday communication. Able to ask and answer on topics related to one’s identity. Understanding and stating simple statements as part of one’s social life. Able to participate in simple conversations.
DELF Prim DELF Junior DELF	A1	Understanding of familiar words and basic phrases related to oneself, one's family, and neighbors. Understanding of simple sentences, like on posters or notices. Able to introduce oneself and talk about personal details. Ability to converse in simple interactions if done slowly. Write simple and short notes or fill in basic personal details.
DELF Prim DELF Junior DELF	A2	Understanding of frequent expressions that are relevant to one’s interests. Able to read short texts, like in ads, timetables, menus, and more. Ability to communicate information related to familiar topics and participate in simple tasks. Participate in small social exchanges, provided one doesn’t have the pressure to keep the conversation going all by themselves. Talk and explain simple facts related to one’s family, academic background, livelihood, etc. Write simple letters, like thank you notes and notes about immediate needful matters.
DELF Junior DELF	B1	Understanding the main points made in a regular conversation, especially in workplaces, media, etc. However, the delivery may need to be slow and clear. Able to read texts related to one’s job, personal letters, event descriptions, etc. Interact with people while traveling and keep up with a conversation that is familiar to oneself. Able to form and connect phrases to describe one’s experiences, provide explanations, or narrate stories. Write personal letters and write texts on familiar topics.
DELF Junior DELF	B2	Should understand the following:   Extended speech and lectures Complex texts, arguments, news, etc. Movie dialogues, provided they are spoken in standard dialect. Able to do the following:  Interact fluently and spontaneously, even with native speakers. Actively participate in familiar discussions and keep up with the conversation. Write on topics of personal interest, essays explaining one’s own viewpoint, letters explaining events and experiences, etc.
DALF	C1	Understanding the following: Extended speech, even if that doesn’t follow a proper structure. Movies and other programs without much effort. Ability to do the following:  Fluently express oneself without taking a lot of pause to think about the correct phrase. Speak in social and professional settings and produce opinions & relate to others who possess the same. Vividly describe different subjects, write well-structured texts, and express oneself without leaving details behind. Modify the tone of writing as per the readers.
DALF	C2	Complete understanding of the spoken language, despite the speed. One just needs a bit of time to get familiar with the accent. Converse effortlessly and fluently, even with the usage of colloquial idioms. Ability to do the following: Read all forms of texts. Write texts in a flow, complex letters, and even literary works reviews.

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:

1. Part 1 (Guided Conversation): Candidates engage in a conversation with the examiner on a familiar topic (e.g., hobbies, daily routines).
2. Part 2 (Interactive Exercise): Candidates participate in an interactive exchange with the examiner, responding to questions and providing information.
3. 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