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Exam guide · A1–C1

SIELE · Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española

A computer-based Spanish test with one multilevel exam: you get a score of 0–1000 and a level from A1 to C1 for each skill, valid 5 years.

Instituto Cervantes · UNAM · Universidad de Salamanca · UBA
Language

Exam guide: A1–C1

Official website
How to bookSIELE centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre or remote slots available when you book.
Exam parts4· 180 minComprensión lectora · Comprensión auditiva · Expresión e interacción escritas · Expresión e interacción orales
Cost€155
Result within≤ 3weeks5 years (certificate for SIELE Global, report for modules).

SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) (A1–C1, Instituto Cervantes · UNAM · Universidad de Salamanca · UBA) has 4 parts: Comprensión lectora, Comprensión auditiva, Expresión e interacción escritas, Expresión e interacción orales. Cost: SIELE Global €155; modules S1 €55, S2 €75, S3 €100, S4 €75, S5 €100 (booking page, EUR). Result: Within 3 weeks at most you get an e-mail that your results are on the SIELE platform. Checked 2026-09-30.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national dates: choose place and exam mode, then a date and centre when you book on siele.org. SIELE can also be taken remotely. source

  1. 1Bookat a SIELE exam centre, on a date and time you choose
  2. 2ExamNo national dates: choose place and exam mode, then a date and centre when you book on siele
  3. 3ResultWithin 3 weeks at most you get an e-mail that your results are on the SIELE platform
  4. 4Certificate5 years (certificate for SIELE Global, report for modules).

Where

Authorised SIELE exam centres (computer-based) or a remote exam from home with the required equipment. Use the SIELE centre finder. source

Waiting & results

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre or remote slots available when you book. source

Within 3 weeks at most you get an e-mail that your results are on the SIELE platform. source

Cost & retakes

SIELE Global €155; modules S1 €55, S2 €75, S3 €100, S4 €75, S5 €100 (booking page, EUR). source

You can book a new exam; the official pages we read give no waiting period between attempts. source

At a glance

Who runs itInstituto Cervantes, UNAM (Mexico), Universidad de Salamanca and Universidad de Buenos Aires[1]
PartsReading 60 min, listening 55 min, writing 50 min, speaking 15 min[2]
Result0–250 per test, 0–1000 in total; level A1 to C1 per skill; no pass/fail[3]
PriceSIELE Global €155; single modules €55–€100 (booking page)[4]
ResultsWithin 3 weeks at most[5]
Validity5 years[5]
Spanish nationalityNot listed: the nationality rules name only DELE A2 or higher[6]

Exam parts180 min in total

Comprensión lectora60 min
Comprensión auditiva55 min
Expresión e interacción escritas50 min
Expresión e interacción orales15 min
Comprensión lectoraReading · 5 tasks, 38 questions
60 min
Format
On computer, automatic marking
Questions / tasks
5 tasks, 38 questions
Task types
Reading tasks at all levels in one test.
Scoring
0–250 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Comprensión auditivaListening · 6 tasks, 38 questions
55 min
Format
On computer, automatic marking
Questions / tasks
6 tasks, 38 questions
Task types
Listening tasks at all levels in one test.
Scoring
0–250 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción escritasWriting · 2 tasks
50 min
Format
On computer, marked by examiners
Questions / tasks
2 tasks
Task types
Two writing tasks.
Scoring
0–250 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción oralesSpeaking · 5 tasks
15 min
Format
Recorded on computer, marked by examiners
Questions / tasks
5 tasks
Task types
Five speaking tasks.
Scoring
0–250 points
Allowed aids
—[2]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Score and level, not pass/fail

Each test is scored 0–250 and linked to a CEFR level (A1–C1). SIELE Global adds them to 0–1000. Example for reading: 178–216.99 = B2, 217–250 = C1.[3]

2

Certificate or report

SIELE Global (all four tests) gives a certificate; the separate modules give a report. Both are valid 5 years, and you also get a digital badge.[5]

3

Results within 3 weeks

Within at most three weeks you get an e-mail that your results are available on the SIELE platform.[5]

4

Modules

SIELE Global = all four tests. S1 reading + listening; S2 reading + writing; S3 listening + speaking; S4 speaking; S5 writing + speaking.[2]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Reading: 38 questions in 60 minutes

  • One test for all levels: questions get harder, so do not panic at difficult texts.
  • Just over 1.5 minutes per question — keep an eye on the clock.
  • CEFR B1 reading: understand texts in everyday or job-related language and descriptions of events, feelings and wishes in letters.
Source [2]

Listening: 38 questions in 55 minutes

  • Six tasks with recordings, marked automatically.
  • A 15-minute break can be taken between listening and writing.
  • CEFR B1 listening: understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters (work, school, leisure).
Source [2]

Writing: 2 tasks in 50 minutes

  • Typed on the computer and marked by examiners.
  • Practise typing in Spanish, including accents and ñ.
  • CEFR B1 writing: write simple connected text on familiar topics, and letters describing experiences and impressions.
Source [2]

Speaking: 5 tasks in 15 minutes

  • You speak to the computer; your answers are recorded and marked later.
  • Practise speaking with a timer and a microphone.
  • CEFR B1 speaking: briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans; narrate a story or describe your reactions.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels2
Not listed for Spanish nationality

Royal Decree 1004/2015 asks for a DELE of at least A2 for nationality by residence; SIELE is not named there or on the Instituto Cervantes nationality page. Use DELE A2 for nationality.[7]

No language test for residence permits

Spain has no national language or civic exam for residence permits: long-term residence asks for 5 years of legal residence, income and health insurance, not a test. DELE A2 and CCSE are for nationality.[8]

Registration1
Book online

Book on siele.org in five steps: choose place and exam mode, choose date and centre, register, enter your details, check your purchase.[4]

Costs & payment1
Prices

Booking page (EUR): SIELE Global €155; S1 €55; S2 €75; S3 €100; S4 €75; S5 €100.[4]

Good to know1
Remote exam requirements

SIELE can also be taken remotely. You need a computer (dual-core, 2 GB RAM), headphones with microphone, keyboard, mouse, a mobile phone to show the room, and a completely clear table.[4]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    What to bring

    The official ID you used to register and your SIELE.org login details.[9]

  2. 2
    Order and break

    SIELE Global: reading 60, listening 55, writing 50 and speaking 15 minutes; a 15-minute break is allowed between listening and writing.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

Comprensión lectora (60 min) · Comprensión auditiva (55 min) · Expresión e interacción escritas (50 min) · Expresión e interacción orales (15 min).

How much does SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) cost?

SIELE Global €155; modules S1 €55, S2 €75, S3 €100, S4 €75, S5 €100 (booking page, EUR). source

How do you register for SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

No national dates: choose place and exam mode, then a date and centre when you book on siele.org. SIELE can also be taken remotely. source

How long do you have to wait for SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre or remote slots available when you book. source

When do you get the result of SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

Within 3 weeks at most you get an e-mail that your results are on the SIELE platform. source

What happens if you fail SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

You can book a new exam; the official pages we read give no waiting period between attempts. source

Where can you take SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española)?

Authorised SIELE exam centres (computer-based) or a remote exam from home with the required equipment. Use the SIELE centre finder. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-30. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
    Calificaciones SIELE Instituto Cervantes
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
    Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones · page date 2025-05-01
  9. [9]
    Preguntas frecuentes SIELE Instituto Cervantes

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Check who accepts it

SIELE suits universities and employers that accept it. For nationality, take DELE A2.

2Plan the long session

SIELE Global takes about 3 hours of testing. Use the 15-minute break between listening and writing to rest.

3Choose only what you need

If an institution asks for only some skills, a module (S1–S5) is cheaper than SIELE Global.

4Test your equipment

For a remote exam, check computer, microphone and room well before the day.

Practise in exam formatMock sets and official sample examsOpen Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Practise each part — sample questions with answers

Key facts in one pageSIELE Comprensión de lectura (Reading)SIELE Comprensión auditiva (Listening)SIELE Expresión escrita (Writing)SIELE Expresión oral (Speaking)SIELESpanish word listsQuestions and answers

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (Instituto Cervantes, SIELE, the Ministry of Justice, the BOE and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins