If you’re planning to take the DELF A2 exam soon, you may have heard that the format has recently been updated. Don’t worry—the changes are designed to reflect real-life communication better. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how the new DELF A2 exam works, how you’re evaluated, and what to focus on to pass with confidence.
What Is the DELF A2 Exam?
The DELF A2 (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is an internationally recognized French language certificate. At the A2 level, students are expected to communicate in simple, everyday situations—things like ordering food, describing your weekend, or asking for directions.
How the Exam Is Structured
The DELF A2 exam is divided into two main parts:
Group Test (Collective)
Listening
Reading
Writing
Individual Test
Speaking
The entire exam takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Each of the four skills is worth 25 points, for a total of 100 points. To pass, you need at least:
50/100 overall
5/25 in each individual skill
You can’t rely on just one strong area—a balanced performance is key.
Breakdown of Each Section
Listening (Compréhension de l’oral)
Duration: ~25 minutes
Format: 3 to 4 short recordings (played twice)
What You’ll Do: Listen to conversations or announcements and answer questions. Topics are everyday situations—at the bakery, on the phone, or asking for help.
A2 understands the main point, specific details, and the speaker’s intention or feeling in short, clear messages (announcements, conversations, interviews).
Sample Task: Listen to a phone message about a changed meeting. Questions: Why was it changed? To what time? What should the listener do?
What’s Evaluated: Your ability to understand the main idea and specific details.
Reading (Compréhension des écrits)
Duration: ~30 minutes
Format: 3 to 4 short texts with comprehension questions
What You’ll Read: Signs, short emails, event flyers, or simple notices. A2 understands short, simple texts on everyday topics (emails, ads, brochures, short articles).
Sample Task: Read two short hotel ads. Decide which is quieter, which has a pool, which is better for a family.
Key Skill: Comparing information and inferring meaning from context.
What’s Evaluated: Understanding of basic written materials related to daily life.
Writing (Production écrite)
Duration: ~45 minutes
Format: Two writing tasks
Typical Tasks:
A2 writes two short, connected texts (80+ words total).
Tasks: 1) Describe an event or personal experience in the past. 2) Write an invitation, message of thanks/apology, or give simple advice.
Evaluation Criteria:
Task Completion: Did you cover all points asked?
Coherence: Can the reader follow your text? Use of simple connectors (et, mais, donc, ensuite – then).
Linguistic Range: Use of Past (Passé Composé) and Future (Futur Proche) tenses correctly.
Speaking (Production orale)
Duration: 6–8 minutes (+10 minutes prep time) Format: One-on-one with an examiner
A1 is a guided interview. A2 is a true monologue and interaction.
Part 1: Guided Conversation (1-2 mins). Deeper than A1. “Tell me about your family” -> “Describe your best friend.”
Part 2: Monologue (2 mins). You are given a card with a topic. You have 10 minutes to prepare. “Describe your last vacation. Where? With whom? What did you do? Did you like it?”
Part 3: Interactive Exercise (3-4 mins). Role-play based on a situation. You must negotiate, make suggestions, react. “With the examiner, plan a weekend outing for friends. Suggest activities, discuss preferences, agree on a plan.”
Evaluation Criteria:
Ability to Communicate: Can you handle the interaction and present your monologue without major breakdowns?
Linguistic Range & Accuracy: Use of past and future tenses. Ability to ask questions and link ideas.
Pronunciation/Flow: Speech is still simple but should be more fluid than A1.
How You’re Evaluated
Each section is scored out of 25 points. Examiners look for:
Relevance: Do you understand and respond correctly to the task?
Clarity: Is your speech or writing easy to understand?
Language use: Do you use appropriate vocabulary and grammar for A2 level?
Coherence: Are your sentences structured logically?
Even if you score high in some areas, failing to get at least 5 points in any one section will result in not passing.
Tips for Success
Master the Two New Tenses: Passé Composé (with avoir and common être verbs) and Futur Proche (aller + infinitive). This is non-negotiable.
Build Your “Connector” Toolkit: Practice using parce que, donc, mais, ensuite, par exemple in every sentence you write or say.
Practice Narration: Every day, describe what you did yesterday (using Passé Composé) and what you will do tomorrow (using Futur Proche).
Think in “Why”: For any opinion (J’aime…), immediately add parce que…. For any statement (Je suis allé…), add donc… or mais….
Upgrade Your Vocabulary: For each A1 theme, learn 10-15 more specific words and 3-5 key phrases for justification and comparison.
Final Thoughts
The DELF A2 exam isn’t about being perfect in French. It’s about showing you can communicate in real-life situations with clarity and confidence. With a clear understanding of the new format and regular practice, you’ll be well-prepared to pass and earn your certificate