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The official rules, explained clearly.

Exam parts, scoring, costs and dates for each exam, with a link to the official source behind every fact.

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A1 · DELE A1

The first DELE diploma: proof that you can handle very simple everyday situations in Spanish. A good first goal before A2.

Official website
Next date you can book151daysFri, 2 Apr 2027 · register by Wed, 10 Feb 2027
Exam parts4· 105 minComprensión de lectura · Comprensión auditiva · Expresión e interacción escritas · Expresión e interacción orales
Pass mark30/50per groupAt least 30 of 50 (60%) in each of the 2 groups: reading + listening, and writing + speaking
Cost€112

DELE A1 (Instituto Cervantes) has 4 parts: Comprensión de lectura, Comprensión auditiva, Expresión e interacción escritas, Expresión e interacción orales. Pass mark: At least 30 of 50 (60%) in each of the 2 groups: reading + listening, and writing + speaking. Cost: €112 in Spain (2026 price table). Result: About 2 months after the written exam; about 3 months for the May and November sessions. Checked 2026-09-30.

Dates, places and waiting times

Fixed national dates (convocatorias) set by the Instituto Cervantes; DELE A1 is offered on the dates below. Reading, listening and writing are on the exam date; the oral may be on another day. Register before the deadline (about 5–8 weeks before). source

  1. 1Registerat an Instituto Cervantes exam centre, before the deadline of the session (convocatoria)
  2. 2Examfixed national exam date
  3. 3ResultAbout 2 months after the written exam
  4. 4DiplomaIndefinite — the DELE diploma does not expire.
Exam datePartRegister byResult
Fri, 2 Apr 2027in 151 daysReading · Listening · WritingWed, 10 Feb 2027100 days left—
Sat, 22 May 2027in 201 daysReading · Listening · WritingWed, 7 Apr 2027156 days left—
Sat, 13 Nov 2027in 376 daysReading · Listening · WritingWed, 29 Sept 2027331 days left—

Showing 3 of 9 dates you can still book. Checked 2026-09-30; places can fill up before the deadline. Instituto Cervantes: DELE exam dates ↗

Where

DELE exam centres in Spain recognised by the Instituto Cervantes; find them under "Dónde" on examenes.cervantes.es and register online with the centre. source

Waiting & results

There are only a few DELE dates a year for each level and registration closes weeks before. Pick a date early; places at a centre can be limited. source

About 2 months after the written exam; about 3 months for the May and November sessions. Results appear in your personal area online. source

Cost & retakes

€112 in Spain (2026 price table). Prices depend on level and country. Refund possible within 14 calendar days after registering. source

No partial results are kept: register again for a later date and take all four tests. Pay the fee again. source

At a glance

WhoBeginners; not accepted for nationality (A2 or higher is required), but a step towards A2.[1]
PartsReading, listening, writing (written session) + speaking (individual)[2]
DurationAbout 105 min in total, incl. 10 min oral[2]
Pass markAt least 30 of 50 (60%) in each of the 2 groups: reading + listening, and writing + speaking[3]
Price in Spain (2026)€112[4]
ResultsAbout 2 months after the written exam (about 3 months for May and November)[5]
ValidityIndefinite — the diploma does not expire[6]

Exam parts105 min in total

Comprensión de lectura45 min
Comprensión auditiva25 min
Expresión e interacción escritas25 min
Expresión e interacción orales10 min
Comprensión de lecturaReading · 4 tasks, 25 items
45 min
Format
Written session, on paper
Questions / tasks
4 tasks, 25 items
Task types
Short everyday texts; matching and multiple-choice tasks.
Scoring
Max. 25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Comprensión auditivaListening · 4 tasks, 25 items
25 min
Format
Written session, audio in the room
Questions / tasks
4 tasks, 25 items
Task types
Short everyday recordings with comprehension tasks.
Scoring
Max. 25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción escritasWriting · 2 tasks
25 min
Format
Written session
Questions / tasks
2 tasks
Task types
Two short written interaction tasks on everyday topics.
Scoring
Max. 25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción oralesSpeaking · 3 tasks
10 min + 10 min preparation
Format
Individual, with an examiner; may be on another day
Questions / tasks
3 tasks
Task types
Introduce yourself, present a topic, short conversation with the examiner.
Scoring
Max. 25 points
Allowed aids
—[2]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Two groups, 30 points each

Each test gives up to 25 points (100 in total). Group 1 = reading + listening, group 2 = writing + speaking. You pass (APTO) with at least 30 of 50 in both groups.[3]

2

How it is marked

Reading and listening are marked automatically; writing and speaking by trained examiners. The oral may be recorded for quality control.[5]

3

Results and diploma

Results come about 2 months after the written exam (about 3 months for the May and November sessions), in your personal area online. The diploma is sent by e-mail and can be downloaded.[5]

4

Review of your marks

You can ask for a review within one month; it costs 60% of the exam price, refunded if your result changes from NO APTO to APTO.[5]

5

Valid for life

DELE diplomas have official status and indefinite validity.[6]

What is really tested

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

Comprensión de lectura

  • Duration: 45 min; 4 tasks, 25 items.
  • Short everyday texts; matching and multiple-choice tasks.
  • CEFR A1 reading: understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, e.g. on notices, posters or in catalogues.
Source [2]

Comprensión auditiva

  • Duration: 25 min; 4 tasks, 25 items.
  • Short everyday recordings with comprehension tasks.
  • CEFR A1 listening: recognise familiar words and very basic phrases about yourself, your family and surroundings, when people speak slowly and clearly.
Source [2]

Expresión e interacción escritas

  • Duration: 25 min; 2 tasks.
  • Two short written interaction tasks on everyday topics.
  • CEFR A1 writing: write a short, simple postcard and fill in forms with personal details.
  • Writing is in group 2 with speaking: a weak text must be balanced by the oral.
Source [2]

Expresión e interacción orales

  • Duration: 10 min + 10 min preparation.
  • Introduce yourself, present a topic, short conversation with the examiner.
  • CEFR A1 speaking: ask and answer simple questions on very familiar topics, if the other person helps.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels2
A1 is not enough for nationality

Nationality by residence requires a DELE of at least A2. A1 is a first step.[1]

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.[7]

Registration1
Fixed dates, register before the deadline

The Instituto Cervantes sets fixed exam dates (convocatorias) each year with a registration deadline about 5–8 weeks before. In Spain you register online with an exam centre; the price is shown when you buy.[8]

Costs & payment2
Price in Spain 2026: €112

DELE A1 costs €112 in Spain in 2026. Prices depend on level and country.[4]

Refund and changes

You can ask for a refund within 14 calendar days after registering. No refund if you do not show up, except serious, documented cases. In Spain you may change level, date or centre if both registration periods are open and places are free.[9]

Retakes1
Retake the whole exam

Results are not kept per part: if you fail, you register again and take all four tests.[9]

Adapted exams1
Adapted exams

Candidates with total hearing loss can be exempted from the tests that depend on hearing. Ask your exam centre about adaptations when you register.[9]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Written tests on the official date

    Reading, listening and writing are taken on the official exam date. The oral may be held on another day, shortly before or after.[2]

  2. 2
    What to bring

    Your registration receipt, the official exam call (convocatoria) and an original photo ID matching your registration.[9]

  3. 3
    Be on time

    Times are strict. If you arrive late you may be marked "No presentado" (absent). Bags and phones stay outside the room.[9]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of DELE A1?

Comprensión de lectura (45 min) · Comprensión auditiva (25 min) · Expresión e interacción escritas (25 min) · Expresión e interacción orales (10 min + 10 min preparation).

What is the pass mark for DELE A1?

At least 30 of 50 (60%) in each of the 2 groups: reading + listening, and writing + speaking source

How much does DELE A1 cost?

€112 in Spain (2026 price table). Prices depend on level and country. Refund possible within 14 calendar days after registering. source

How do you register for DELE A1?

Fixed national dates (convocatorias) set by the Instituto Cervantes; DELE A1 is offered on the dates below. Reading, listening and writing are on the exam date; the oral may be on another day. Register before the deadline (about 5–8 weeks before). source

How long do you have to wait for DELE A1?

There are only a few DELE dates a year for each level and registration closes weeks before. Pick a date early; places at a centre can be limited. source

When do you get the result of DELE A1?

About 2 months after the written exam; about 3 months for the May and November sessions. Results appear in your personal area online. source

What happens if you fail DELE A1?

No partial results are kept: register again for a later date and take all four tests. Pay the fee again. source

Where can you take DELE A1?

DELE exam centres in Spain recognised by the Instituto Cervantes; find them under "Dónde" on examenes.cervantes.es and register online with the centre. source

Official sources

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

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    Exámenes DELE A1 Instituto Cervantes
  3. [3]
    Cómo son las pruebas DELE Instituto Cervantes
  4. [4]
    Precios DELE 2026 (tabla PDF) Instituto Cervantes · page date 2026-01-01
  5. [5]
    Calificaciones DELE Instituto Cervantes
  6. [6]
    Qué son los DELE Instituto Cervantes
  7. [7]
    Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones · page date 2025-05-01
  8. [8]
    Fechas de examen DELE Instituto Cervantes
  9. [9]
    Preguntas frecuentes Instituto Cervantes

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Balance both groups

You need 30 of 50 in reading + listening AND in writing + speaking. Train your weakest group first.

2Book before the deadline

Registration closes weeks before each date. Pick your date early and check that your centre offers your level.

3Practise with the clock

Do a full written practice in one sitting (about 95 min) so you know the rhythm.

4Use the preparation time

Before the oral you get preparation time: write key words, not full sentences, and plan examples.

5Learn the task types

Check the official level page on examenes.cervantes.es for the exam model and task descriptions, and practise each task type.

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 pageDELE A1 Comprensión de lectura (Reading)DELE A1 Comprensión auditiva (Listening)DELE A1 Expresión escrita (Writing)DELE A1 Expresión oral (Speaking)DELE A1Spanish 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