DELE B1 (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: €173 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 B1 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
- 1Registerat an Instituto Cervantes exam centre, before the deadline of the session (convocatoria)
- 2Examfixed national exam date
- 3ResultAbout 2 months after the written exam
- 4DiplomaIndefinite — the DELE diploma does not expire.
| Exam date | Part | Register by | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 2 Apr 2027in 151 days | Reading · Listening · Writing | Wed, 10 Feb 2027100 days left | — |
| Sat, 22 May 2027in 201 days | Reading · Listening · Writing | Wed, 7 Apr 2027156 days left | — |
| Fri, 9 Jul 2027in 249 days | Reading · Listening · Writing | Wed, 12 May 2027191 days left | — |
| Fri, 15 Oct 2027in 347 days | Reading · Listening · Writing | Wed, 1 Sept 2027303 days left | — |
| Sat, 13 Nov 2027in 376 days | Reading · Listening · Writing | Wed, 29 Sept 2027331 days left | — |
Showing 5 of 15 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
At a glance
Exam parts185 min in total
Comprensión de lecturaReading · 5 tasks, 30 items70 min
- Format
- Written session, on paper
- Questions / tasks
- 5 tasks, 30 items
- Task types
- Five reading tasks of 6 items each.
- Scoring
- Max. 25 points
- Allowed aids
- Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Comprensión auditivaListening · 5 tasks, 30 items40 min
- Format
- Written session, audio in the room
- Questions / tasks
- 5 tasks, 30 items
- Task types
- Five listening tasks of 6 items each.
- Scoring
- Max. 25 points
- Allowed aids
- Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción escritasWriting · 2 tasks60 min
- Format
- Written session
- Questions / tasks
- 2 tasks
- Task types
- Task 1 written interaction; task 2 written expression.
- Scoring
- Max. 25 points
- Allowed aids
- Not stated on the official pages we read[2]
Expresión e interacción oralesSpeaking · 4 tasks15 min + 15 min preparation
- Format
- Individual, with an examiner; may be on another day
- Questions / tasks
- 4 tasks
- Task types
- Short presentation, conversation, describe a photo and talk about it, simulated dialogue.
- Scoring
- Max. 25 points
- Allowed aids
- —[2]
Scoring, results and retakes
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]
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]
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]
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]
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: 70 min; 5 tasks, 30 items.
- Five reading tasks of 6 items each.
- CEFR B1 reading: understand texts in everyday or job-related language and descriptions of events, feelings and wishes in letters.
Comprensión auditiva
- Duration: 40 min; 5 tasks, 30 items.
- Five listening tasks of 6 items each.
- CEFR B1 listening: understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters (work, school, leisure).
Expresión e interacción escritas
- Duration: 60 min; 2 tasks.
- Task 1 written interaction; task 2 written expression.
- CEFR B1 writing: write simple connected text on familiar topics, and letters describing experiences and impressions.
- Writing is in group 2 with speaking: a weak text must be balanced by the oral.
Expresión e interacción orales
- Duration: 15 min + 15 min preparation.
- Short presentation, conversation, describe a photo and talk about it, simulated dialogue.
- CEFR B1 speaking: briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans; narrate a story or describe your reactions.
Rules you need to know
Routes & levels2
For Spanish nationality by residence you must pass a DELE of at least A2 and the CCSE (civic knowledge test). Both are set and run by the Instituto Cervantes.[1]
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
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
DELE B1 costs €173 in Spain in 2026. Prices depend on level and country.[4]
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
Results are not kept per part: if you fail, you register again and take all four tests.[9]
Adapted exams1
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]
Exemptions1
Exempt from the DELE for nationality: nationals of countries where Spanish is official (e.g. Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela…). They still take the CCSE. Minors and people with judicially modified capacity take no tests.[1]
On the exam day
- 1Written 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]
- 2What to bring
Your registration receipt, the official exam call (convocatoria) and an original photo ID matching your registration.[9]
- 3Be 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 B1?
Comprensión de lectura (70 min) · Comprensión auditiva (40 min) · Expresión e interacción escritas (60 min) · Expresión e interacción orales (15 min + 15 min preparation).
What is the pass mark for DELE B1?
At least 30 of 50 (60%) in each of the 2 groups: reading + listening, and writing + speaking source
How much does DELE B1 cost?
€173 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 B1?
Fixed national dates (convocatorias) set by the Instituto Cervantes; DELE B1 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 B1?
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 B1?
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 B1?
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 B1?
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]Real Decreto 1004/2015: Reglamento del procedimiento de nacionalidad española por residencia (texto consolidado) BOE (Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado) · page date 2024-09-10
- [2]Exámenes DELE B1 Instituto Cervantes
- [3]Cómo son las pruebas DELE Instituto Cervantes
- [4]Precios DELE 2026 (tabla PDF) Instituto Cervantes · page date 2026-01-01
- [5]Calificaciones DELE Instituto Cervantes
- [6]Qué son los DELE Instituto Cervantes
- [7]Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones · page date 2025-05-01
- [8]Fechas de examen DELE Instituto Cervantes
- [9]Preguntas frecuentes Instituto Cervantes