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Exam guide · B2

B2 · DELF B2 tout public

B2 is the level required for French nationality since 2026. DELF B2 is a French diploma at B2 level; check first that your prefecture accepts it (see below).

France Éducation international
Language

Exam guide: B2

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early.
Exam parts4· 50 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 B2 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

WhoNaturalisation asks for B2. The official list accepts "any diploma showing at least B2"; DELF B2 is not named explicitly.[1]
PartsListening, reading, writing (written, together) + speaking (individual)[2]
Duration2 h 30 min written (collective) + 20 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 parts50 min in total

Compréhension de l’oral30 min
Compréhension des écrits1 h
Production écrite1 h
Production orale20 min
Compréhension de l’oralListening · Recorded documents (interview or news: heard once; talk or documentary: heard twice)
About 30 min
Format
Collective written exam, audio in the room
Questions / tasks
Recorded documents (interview or news: heard once; talk or documentary: heard twice)
Task types
Understand interviews, news, talks or documentaries; 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 · Informative and argumentative texts
1 h
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
Informative and argumentative texts
Task types
An informative text about France or the French-speaking world and an argumentative text; 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 · 1 text
1 h
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
1 text
Task types
A reasoned personal position (prise de position personnelle argumentée), e.g. a letter or an article.
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[2]
Production oraleSpeaking · 1 task (presentation + discussion)
20 min, 30 min preparation
Format
Individual, with examiners (jury)
Questions / tasks
1 task (presentation + discussion)
Task types
Present and defend a point of view based on a short document.
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 30 min; Recorded documents (interview or news: heard once; talk or documentary: heard twice).
  • Since 2024 the DELF listening part (A2–B2) uses only multiple-choice questions, with more but shorter items.
  • CEFR B2 listening: understand extended speech and lectures and follow complex lines of argument on reasonably familiar topics.
Source [7]

Compréhension des écrits

  • Duration: 1 h; Informative and argumentative texts.
  • An informative text about France or the French-speaking world and an argumentative text; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
  • CEFR B2 reading: read articles and reports on current problems in which the writers take a particular point of view.
Source [2]

Production écrite

  • Duration: 1 h; 1 text.
  • A reasoned personal position (prise de position personnelle argumentée), e.g. a letter or an article.
  • CEFR B2 writing: write clear, detailed text, an essay or report giving reasons for or against a point of view.
Source [2]

Production orale

  • Duration: 20 min, 30 min preparation.
  • Present and defend a point of view based on a short document.
  • CEFR B2 speaking: explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
  • At least 5/25 is needed here too — a weak oral can block the diploma.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels1
B2 for French nationality

Since 2026-01-01 naturalisation, nationality by marriage and reintegration require French at B2, spoken and written.[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]

Good to know2
What nationality accepts

Accepted: diplôme national du brevet; French diplomas or RNCP certifications from level 3; "any diploma showing at least B2 (CEFR)"; a TCF or TEF result issued less than 2 years ago.[1]

Enic-Naric comparability no longer valid

Enic-Naric stopped issuing comparability certificates on 2025-10-01; such certificates are no longer valid for nationality after 2025-12-31.[8]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Written parts in one session

    Listening, reading and writing are taken together as a collective exam (2 h 30). The oral is a separate individual appointment, often on another day.[2]

  2. 2
    Preparation time for the oral

    Oral: 20 min, 30 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 B2 tout public?

Compréhension de l’oral (About 30 min) · Compréhension des écrits (1 h) · Production écrite (1 h) · Production orale (20 min, 30 min preparation).

What is the pass mark for DELF B2 tout public?

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

How much does DELF B2 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 B2 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 B2 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 B2 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 B2 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 B2 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]
  9. [9]
    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 (2 h 30) 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 B2 Compréhension écrite (Reading)DELF B2 Compréhension orale (Listening)DELF B2 Production écrite (Writing)DELF B2 Production orale (Speaking)DELF B2French 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