Table of Contents
- DELF B1 exam structure
- Knowledge needed for DELF B1 exam
- How to study for DELF B1 exam
- Rise to the challenge—we can help!
If you've reached B1 proficiency in French, you deserve a huge pat on the back! It takes years of effort to become an "independent user," as CEFR B1 would classify you.
However, writing "B1 French" on your CV is far less meaningful than having a B1 diploma. To prove your capability, you need to pass the DELF B1 exam.
To help you do so, we've created this detailed guide to the B1 diploma exam. Read on to learn the details of each exam section and how to prepare for it.
DELF B1 exam structure
The DELF B1 exam is approximately 2 hours, 20 minutes long. In that time, reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills will be tested.
Reading
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Points: 25 points
- Tasks: 2 exercises involving reading passages and answering comprehension questionnaires
Writing
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Points: 25 points
- Tasks: 1 exercise involving writing a passage of 160+ words
Speaking
- Duration: 10 minutes prep, 15 minute exam
- Points: 25 points
- Tasks: 3-part test:
- Guided conversation
- Interactive exercise
- Expressing a point of view
Listening
- Duration: Approximately 25 minutes
- Points: 25 points
- Tasks: 3 exercises involving listening to recordings and completing comprehension questionnaires
To pass the DELF B1 exam, you need to score at least 50/100 points. You must also score at least 5/25 in each section.
Knowledge needed for DELF B1 exam
The knowledge needed to ace a B1 level French exam is much broader than A1 or A2.
First of all, exam topics start to stray away from everyday conversation. You must be able to analyse text and express well-formed opinions.
Further, the range of technical language skills needed grows, as you can see in your Brainmap.
How to study for DELF B1 exam
Preparing for the DELF B1 exam requires more than practising the four skills. You need tools that assess your ability and show you how to improve.
That's where we come in! Our resources aren't just reading materials. They're lessons and exercises that put your knowledge to the test.
Specifically for the B1 exam, we've created a study guide that shows you how to prepare for each section. Check it out for links to the French B1 exercises you'll need, as well as tips for the exam day!
Rise to the challenge—we can help!
The DELF B1 exam makes your hard-earned skills official—and internationally recognised.
Now you know what each of its sections looks like, it's time to start studying. Jump to our French B1 exam study guide to find all the resources you need to get started.
Be sure to create your FREE Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq account to access all the resources you need today!
