DELF Test: Importance, Test Levels, Scoring, Registration, Exam Centres, and More

Do you want to study in a French educational institution? Then, you must consider taking the DELF test. This exam is certified by the French Ministry of Education and is meant for non-native speakers. Once you clear the paper, you will receive a diploma that proves your language proficiency for life! It is internationally recognised and is required to study in an educational institution, especially if the university demands it, or you are enrolling in a course that is taught in French. The test is also sometimes essential for travel, work, or to live in a French-speaking country. 

This blog covers everything you need to know about the DELF test online. You will learn about its importance, types of exams, structure, scoring, fees, and the exam registration process. universities accepting the scores, exam centres, and difficulty level of the test, and more.

Importance of the DELF Test 

The DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) is called the Diploma in French Language Studies in English. The test is administered at various levels. More specifically, from A1 to level B2 or beginner to intermediate level. The exam is important for the following reasons:

1. Many French Universities require proof of French language proficiency. Generally, B2 is the bare minimum for admission to undergraduate studies.
2. Even if all your classes are held in English and the exam is not mandatory, you might still benefit from taking this test. It can make your life easier in France. You can easily register for housing, deal with administrative tasks, and more.
3. A  diploma would strengthen your CV for internships or even jobs in French-speaking countries such as Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and several African countries.
4. If you intend to work in France, you need DELF Pro
5. You also need it for immigration purposes in French-speaking countries. The scores are accepted as proof of language proficiency for a visa, work permit, or even residency applications in France, Canada, and Switzerland!

Fun Fact: DELF is called a diploma and not a certification because the exam results are valid for a lifetime.  This is a standardised test recognised in all French-speaking countries. Consider this: the IELTS/TOEFL exam (English proficiency) results are only valid for 2 years, while the results of the Diploma in French Language Studies are permanent.

Also Read: All About France Visa and Its Types

DELF Test Levels

The DELF test is divided into different levels depending on the exam-taking purpose, such as education or a job. Each level is meant for a set age group. You can see this in the table below. 

Exam For Children and Teenagers

The DELF version for children and teenagers is as follows. You can take this test if you want to enrol in a primary, middle, or high school in France.

S/N	DELF Version	Target Age Group	Focus Area	Levels Available
1	DELF Prim	7–11 years	Adapted to teenage lifestyle: school, hobbies, family, and youth issues	A1.1, A1, A2
2	DELF Junior	11–17 years	Adapted to teenage lifestyle: school, hobbies, family, youth issues	A1 → B2

DELF and DALF Test for Adults

Adults can take the following test. The TP can be taken if you are a university student. The  Pro version is for those who want to work in France, and DALF is a completely different test. 

DALF is also an internationally recognised and French government-recognised test. However, it’s for those seeking higher-level language proficiency proof, like C1 or C2. You need it for a master’s or a PhD enrollment.

S/N	Version	Target Age Group	Focus  Area	Levels Available
1	DELF Tout Public (TP)	17 years and above	Adult life: social interactions, travel, culture, studies, news	A1 → B2
2	DELF Pro	17 years and above	Work-related situations: emails, meetings, interviews	A1 → B2
3	DALF	17 years and above	Advanced language use: academic, professional, complex arguments	C1 → C2

DELF Tout Public 

To enrol in an undergraduate program in a university in France, the test you need to clear is DELF Tout Public. The various levels of this exam are provided below. These levels are divided by language proficiency levels. Each level is considered a version of the exam.

S.No	DELF TP Level	CEFR Level	Who it’s for
1	A1	Beginner	Adult beginners
2	A2	Elementary/basic	Adult beginners who can handle routine situations
3	B1	Intermediate	Adults with independent language use
4	B2	Upper-intermediate	Adults preparing for university/work

Note: In this blog, we are going to focus on DELF Tout Public. This is because it is the main exam for undergraduate students.

Also Read: Top 10 Free French Lessons for Beginners with Certificates 

DELF Tout Public Exam Structure 

Under the DELF Tout Public, there are different versions (A1 to B2). These are separate exams. You only need to take the exam for the level that matches you. However, in general, there are only 4 sections in the paper.  All four skills are tested individually. You must pass each section to obtain the diploma. These sections are as follows:

S/N	Skill	Approx. Duration	Typical Tasks
1	Listening	20–30 min	Understanding dialogues, announcements, conversations, or short talks
2	Reading	25–40 min	Comprehending texts, articles, forms, signs, or notices
3	Writing	25–60 min	Filling forms, writing emails or letters, expressing opinions, and short compositions
4	Speaking	5–20 min	Introducing yourself, describing situations, role plays, presenting ideas, and defending opinions

Note: the exam duration can slightly vary depending on the level of the exam.

Scoring Pattern of DELF TP Levels

The scoring pattern of the DELF test is the same for all levels. (A1- B2). The exam is conducted to assess your 4 main skills. Each skill is graded out of 25 for a total of 100 points. You need at least 5/25 in each skill and 50/100 overall to pass. Failing any single skill (scoring below 5/25) means you failed, even if your total is above 50.

S/N	Skill	Maximum Marks	Minimum Passing Marks
1	Listening	25	5
2	Reading	25	5
3	Writing	25	5
4	Speaking	25	5
	Total	100	50

You need DELF B2 level for university admission. Just like all levels, you need to score at least 50 overall and at least 5/25 in each skill to clear this level.

DELF TP Exam Fees

According to Alliance Française centres in India, the test fees are as follows. You get a fee deduction if you are a current student at the centre. For all other candidates, the fees are as follows. Note. The fee varies depending on the exam levels.

Level	Internal Candidates (Alliance Française India)	External Candidates (Non-AF India)
A1	7,075 INR	10,884 INR
A2	7,620 INR	10,884 INR
B1	8,501 INR	12,879 INR
B2	8,501 INR	12,879 INR
C1	9,418 INR	14,268 INR
C2	9,845 INR	14,268 INR

DELF Exam Registration 2025

The DELF test registration can be done online. Ensure that you are registering for the exam when the registration dates are open. The  registration steps are as follows:

1. You can register for the exam by visiting the official website of the respective Alliance Française centre. 
2. Thereafter, pay the required fee and submit the necessary documents. For example, a valid ID proof and passport-sized photographs.
3. Submit the form to complete the registration. 
4. You will be provided a candidate code upon registration. It is required for checking results and certificate collection.

DELF Tout Public Exam Dates 2025 in India

The registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis.  Hence, you must register on time. The TP registration dates for the year 2025 are as follows:

S/N	Session	Registration Period	Written Exam Dates	Oral Exam Dates
1	March	17 Feb – 7 Mar	24–28 Mar	24–28 Mar
2	June	12–30 May	16–20 Jun	16–20 Jun
3	September	4–22 Aug	15–19 Sep	15–19 Sep
4	December	1–14 Nov	8–12 Dec	8–12 Dec

Top French Universities Accepting DELF Test Scores

The exam scores are recognised worldwide. In France, every university accepts the test results. However, in general, you need to score at least a B2 level for admission to an undergraduate program. Some of the top universities in France that accept the test scores are provided below:

S/N	University	QS World University Ranking 2025	Typical French Language Proficiency Requirement
1	Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres)	28	B2 or higher
2	Institut Polytechnique de Paris	41	B2 or higher
3	Université Paris-Saclay	70	B2 or higher
4	Sorbonne University	72	B2 or higher
5	École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon)	205	B2 or higher
6	Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne	257	B2 or higher
7	Université Paris Cité	300	B2 or higher
8	Université Grenoble Alpes	321	B2 or higher
9	Sciences Po Paris	367	B2 or higher
10	INSA Lyon (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon)	406	B2 or higher

Exam Results 

The DELF test results are often released 6 to 8 weeks after the exam session. The exact timing depends on the exam centre. You can view your results by visiting the official Alliance Française portal and entering your candidate number. An email notification of the test result availability will be provided to you. You can also view your results by checking the notice board of the exam centre. You can collect your certificate by:

1. Visiting in person at the Alliance Française centre, or
2. Requesting a postal delivery (if available)

DELF Tout Public Exam Centres in India

The DELF test can only be taken at recognised Alliance Française centres. The French Ministry of Education has authorised these testing centres in India.. These testing centres are as follows.

S/N	City	Alliance Française Centre	Location
1	Ahmedabad	Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad	Gujarat
2	Bangalore	Alliance Française de Bangalore	Karnataka
3	Bhopal	Alliance Française de Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh
4	Calcutta	Alliance Française du Bengale	West Bengal
5	Chandigarh	Alliance Française “Le Corbusier”	Punjab
6	Chennai	Alliance Française de Madras	Tamil Nadu
7	Coimbatore	PSG Institute of Management	Tamil Nadu
8	Goa	Alliance Française de Panjim-Goa	Goa
9	Hyderabad	Alliance Française d’Hyderabad	Telangana
10	Jaipur	Alliance Française de Jaipur	Rajasthan
11	Lucknow	Alliance Française de Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh
12	Mumbai	Alliance Française de Bombay	Maharashtra
13	New Delhi	Alliance Française de Delhi	Delhi
14	Pondicherry	Alliance Française de Pondicherry	Puducherry
15	Pune	Alliance Française de Poona	Maharashtra
16	Trivandrum	Alliance Française de Trivandrum	Kerala

DELF Test Difficulty Level

The exam difficulty level depends on the level of the exam. The higher the exam level, the higher the difficulty level of the questions. The exam can be cleared if you prepare well for the specific level you are taking the test.

S/N	Level	Typical Challenges	Difficulty
1	A1	Understanding basic spoken French and writing short sentences	Easy
2	A2	Writing short emails/letters and describing daily life	Low to Moderate
3	B1	Expressing opinions, narrating experiences, and handling role-plays	Moderate
4	B2	Producing formal letters/reports, presenting ideas, and understanding complex dialogues	High

5 Tips to Prepare for the DELF Tout Public (A1–B2)

Here are five tips that can help you ace the DELF test. These are just general tips that you can keep in mind while you prepare for your test.

1. Practice all four skills. To improve your listening, you can listen to French podcasts. To improve reading, you can read short articles or emails in French. To improve writing, you can try writing short letters, and to improve speaking, you can speak to your language partner.
2. Secondly, understand the exam format for the specific level. You must also go through the official  past papers or mock tests.
3. To improve your vocabulary, learn common vocabulary terms for everyday situations. You must also learn words and expressions for opinions, arguments, and debates. Learn tenses, pronouns, etc.
4. Practise ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions, or debating a topic. Record yourself to self-correct fluency.
5. Practice as many sample papers as you can to learn to manage time. During the exam, don’t get stuck on difficult questions; move on to the questions you know the answers to. You can always come back and answer the difficult question if time permits.

To learn how to clear the B2 level, watch this video:

The DELF test is a test recognised by the French Ministry of Education. You need to take this exam for university admission, work, or for general living in France. You might require the test for a study permit, a work permit, or for immigration purposes. The DELF Tout Public Exam is the exam meant for university admissions. You need to score at least B2 in this exam for admission to an undergraduate program. You can take this exam from India at the Alliance Française Centre in India.

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