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Exam guide · A2

A2 · DELF A2 tout public

DELF A2 is one of the accepted proofs of A2 French for a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year residence card) since 2026.

France Éducation international
Language

Exam guide: A2

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early.
Exam parts4· 108 minCompréhension de l’oral · Compréhension des écrits · Production écrite · Production orale
Pass mark✓50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each of the 4 parts

DELF A2 tout public (France Éducation international) has 4 parts: Compréhension de l’oral, Compréhension des écrits, Production écrite, Production orale. Pass mark: 50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each of the 4 parts. Cost: Set by each centre; no national price found. Result: Result times in France are set by the centre. Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national DELF dates in France: each exam centre (universities, Alliances françaises…) sets its sessions and registration periods. Example Université de Limoges: December 2026 session, written 2026-12-01 to 03, registration 2026-10-05 to 10-28. source

  1. 1Bookat an approved exam centre in France
  2. 2ExamNo national DELF dates in France: each exam centre (universities, Alliances françaises…) sets its sessions and registration periods
  3. 3ResultResult times in France are set by the centre
  4. 4CertificateFor life — the DELF diploma does not expire.

Where

DELF exam centres approved by France Éducation international, across France (universities, Alliances françaises, language centres). source

Waiting & results

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early. source

Result times in France are set by the centre. Example abroad (Institut français in Germany): results within 15 working days, diploma about 6 months later. source

Cost & retakes

Set by each centre; no national price found. The prefecture of Hérault gives about €100–200 for language tests and mentions the CPF (personal training account). source

Take the whole exam again at a later session (no partial pass). Keep your permanent candidate number. source

At a glance

WhoProof of A2 for a first multi-year residence card (CSP), if you are under 65.[1]
PartsListening, reading, writing (written, together) + speaking (individual)[2]
Duration1 h 40 min written (collective) + 6–8 min oral[2]
Pass mark50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each of the 4 parts[2]
ValidityFor life (diploma does not expire)[3]
Dates and priceSet by each exam centre in France; no national fee[4]

Exam parts108 min in total

Compréhension de l’oral25 min
Compréhension des écrits30 min
Production écrite45 min
Production orale8 min
Compréhension de l’oralListening · 3–4 short recordings
About 25 min
Format
Collective written exam, audio in the room
Questions / tasks
3–4 short recordings
Task types
Short recordings from everyday situations; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[2]
Compréhension des écritsReading · 3–4 short written documents
30 min
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
3–4 short written documents
Task types
Short everyday documents; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[2]
Production écriteWriting · 2 short texts
45 min
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
2 short texts
Task types
Describe an event or experience; write an interactive text such as an invitation, thanks or apology (letter or message).
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[5]
Production oraleSpeaking · 3 parts
6–8 min, 10 min preparation
Format
Individual, with examiners (jury)
Questions / tasks
3 parts
Task types
Guided interview, short monologue (monologue suivi), interaction exercise (exercice en interaction).
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
—[2]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

50 of 100, with a minimum per part

Each of the 4 parts is marked out of 25 (total 100). You pass with 50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in every part.[2]

2

No partial pass

The diploma is awarded for the whole exam; parts cannot be validated separately.[5]

3

Your candidate number

You receive a permanent candidate number. Give it each time you register, at any centre.[2]

4

Results and diploma (example abroad)

Institut français in Germany: results within 15 working days after the last part; the diploma about 6 months after the exam; a pass attestation can be issued earlier. Ask your French centre for its own timing.[3]

5

Valid for life

DELF diplomas do not expire. For residence cards the prefecture of Hérault states: TCF/TEF valid 2 years, DELF without limit.[6]

What is really tested

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

Compréhension de l’oral

  • Duration: About 25 min; 3–4 short recordings.
  • Since 2024 the DELF listening part (A2–B2) uses only multiple-choice questions, with more but shorter items.
  • CEFR A2 listening: catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
Source [7]

Compréhension des écrits

  • Duration: 30 min; 3–4 short written documents.
  • Short everyday documents; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
  • CEFR A2 reading: find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as ads, menus and timetables.
Source [2]

Production écrite

  • Duration: 45 min; 2 short texts.
  • Describe an event or experience; write an interactive text such as an invitation, thanks or apology (letter or message).
  • CEFR A2 writing: write short, simple notes and messages, and a very simple personal letter (e.g. to thank someone).
Source [5]

Production orale

  • Duration: 6–8 min, 10 min preparation.
  • Guided interview, short monologue (monologue suivi), interaction exercise (exercice en interaction).
  • CEFR A2 speaking: handle short social exchanges and describe your family, living conditions and background in simple terms.
  • At least 5/25 is needed here too — a weak oral can block the diploma.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels1
A2 for a first multi-year card

Since 2026-01-01 a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year residence card) requires French at A2 if you are under 65. Renewals are not concerned.[1]

Registration1
Register at an exam centre

In France, DELF sessions and registration periods are set by each exam centre (universities, Alliances françaises…). Example Université de Limoges: December 2026 session, written 2026-12-01 to 03, registration 2026-10-05 to 10-28, places limited.[4]

Costs & payment1
Fees

The fee is set by the exam centre; there is no national price on the pages we could read. For residence-card language tests the prefecture of Hérault gives about €100–200 and mentions the CPF (personal training account) as a possible way to pay.[6]

Exemptions1
Exempt from the language rule

Residence cards: people aged 65 or over, people whose health or disability makes testing impossible (medical certificate), and categories that do not sign the CIR are exempt.[1]

Good to know2
Foreign diplomas do not count (residence cards)

For the residence cards, diplomas issued by a foreign authority abroad are not accepted, even from a French-speaking country. DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF are French certifications.[1]

Accepted proofs for residence cards

TCF or TEF (valid 2 years); DELF, DALF, DELF Pro, DUEF, DFP, DCL; RNCP certifications from level 3; CAP, BEP, CFG; diplôme national du brevet.[1]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Written parts in one session

    Listening, reading and writing are taken together as a collective exam (1 h 40). The oral is a separate individual appointment, often on another day.[2]

  2. 2
    Preparation time for the oral

    Oral: 6–8 min, 10 min preparation.[2]

  3. 3
    Bring your candidate number

    If you took a DELF or DALF before, give your permanent candidate number when you register.[2]

Recent and planned changes

  1. In forceLanguage levels for residence and nationality

    Since 2026-01-01: A2 for a first multi-year card, B1 for a first resident card, B2 for nationality.[1]

  2. In forceNew DELF format

    From 2024 exams use only the new format: listening and reading (A2–B2) are multiple-choice; DELF B1 written part is 10 minutes longer (1 h 55). Difficulty is unchanged. Old formats possible only in exceptional cases in 2025.[7]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of DELF A2 tout public?

Compréhension de l’oral (About 25 min) · Compréhension des écrits (30 min) · Production écrite (45 min) · Production orale (6–8 min, 10 min preparation).

What is the pass mark for DELF A2 tout public?

50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each of the 4 parts source

How much does DELF A2 tout public cost?

Set by each centre; no national price found. The prefecture of Hérault gives about €100–200 for language tests and mentions the CPF (personal training account). source

How do you register for DELF A2 tout public?

No national DELF dates in France: each exam centre (universities, Alliances françaises…) sets its sessions and registration periods. Example Université de Limoges: December 2026 session, written 2026-12-01 to 03, registration 2026-10-05 to 10-28. source

How long do you have to wait for DELF A2 tout public?

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early. source

When do you get the result of DELF A2 tout public?

Result times in France are set by the centre. Example abroad (Institut français in Germany): results within 15 working days, diploma about 6 months later. source

What happens if you fail DELF A2 tout public?

Take the whole exam again at a later session (no partial pass). Keep your permanent candidate number. source

Where can you take DELF A2 tout public?

DELF exam centres approved by France Éducation international, across France (universities, Alliances françaises, language centres). source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-29. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    Règlement des épreuves du DELF et du DALF (BO n°29, 2005, annexe) Ministère de l’Éducation nationale (Bulletin officiel)
  3. [3]
    Certifications DELF DALF Institut français d’Allemagne
  4. [4]
    Calendrier DELF-DALF Université de Limoges (Maison des Langues)
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
    Évolution des examens DELF-DALF DELF-DALF Suisse (centre national)
  8. [8]
    CEFR self-assessment grid (EN) European Union (Europass)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Aim above 5/25 everywhere

A high total does not help if one part is below 5/25. Train your weakest skill first.

2Practise with timing

Do a full written practice in one sitting (1 h 40) so you know how it feels.

3Book early

Centres have registration windows and limited places. Check two or three centres near you.

4Keep the diploma safe

The diploma is valid for life and you may need it for several applications. Keep a scan and the original.

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 pageDELF A2 Compréhension écrite (Reading)DELF A2 Compréhension orale (Listening)DELF A2 Production écrite (Writing)DELF A2 Production orale (Speaking)DELF A2French word listsQuestions and answers

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (France Éducation international, Le français des affaires, service-public.fr, the Ministry of the Interior and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins