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

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B1 · DELF B1 tout public

DELF B1 is one of the accepted proofs of B1 French for a first carte de résident (10-year resident card) since 2026.

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early.
Exam parts4· 130 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 B1 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 B1 for a first resident card (CR); it also covers A2 for the multi-year card.[1]
PartsListening, reading, writing (written, together) + speaking (individual)[2]
Duration1 h 55 min written (collective, new format) + about 15 min oral[3]
Pass mark50/100 overall and at least 5/25 in each of the 4 parts[2]
ValidityFor life (diploma does not expire)[4]
Dates and priceSet by each exam centre in France; no national fee[5]

Exam parts130 min in total

Compréhension de l’oral25 min
Compréhension des écrits45 min
Production écrite45 min
Production orale15 min
Compréhension de l’oralListening · 3 recorded documents
25 min
Format
Collective written exam, audio in the room
Questions / tasks
3 recorded documents
Task types
Recordings about everyday situations; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only, with more documents.
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[3]
Compréhension des écritsReading · Several documents (more than before)
45 min (new format; was 35 min)
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
Several documents (more than before)
Task types
Find useful information and understand a text; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[3]
Production écriteWriting · 1 text
45 min
Format
Collective written exam
Questions / tasks
1 text
Task types
Give your personal opinion on a general topic (essay, letter or article).
Scoring
/25 points
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read (FEI rules not readable)[2]
Production oraleSpeaking · 3 parts
About 15 min; 10 min preparation (part 3 only)
Format
Individual, with examiners (jury)
Questions / tasks
3 parts
Task types
Guided interview, interaction exercise, expressing 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.[6]

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.[4]

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.[7]

What is really tested

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

Compréhension de l’oral

  • Duration: 25 min; 3 recorded documents.
  • Since 2024 the DELF listening part (A2–B2) uses only multiple-choice questions, with more but shorter items.
  • CEFR B1 listening: understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters (work, school, leisure).
Source [8]

Compréhension des écrits

  • Duration: 45 min (new format; was 35 min); Several documents (more than before).
  • Find useful information and understand a text; since 2024 multiple-choice questions only.
  • CEFR B1 reading: understand texts in everyday or job-related language and descriptions of events, feelings and wishes in letters.
Source [3]

Production écrite

  • Duration: 45 min; 1 text.
  • Give your personal opinion on a general topic (essay, letter or article).
  • CEFR B1 writing: write simple connected text on familiar topics, and letters describing experiences and impressions.
Source [2]

Production orale

  • Duration: About 15 min; 10 min preparation (part 3 only).
  • Guided interview, interaction exercise, expressing a point of view based on a short document.
  • CEFR B1 speaking: briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans; narrate a story or describe your reactions.
  • At least 5/25 is needed here too — a weak oral can block the diploma.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels2
B1 for a first resident card

Since 2026-01-01 a first carte de résident (10-year resident card) requires French at B1 if you are under 65.[1]

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.[5]

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.[7]

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 55). The oral is a separate individual appointment, often on another day.[3]

  2. 2
    Preparation time for the oral

    Oral: About 15 min; 10 min preparation (part 3 only).[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.[8]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of DELF B1 tout public?

Compréhension de l’oral (25 min) · Compréhension des écrits (45 min (new format; was 35 min)) · Production écrite (45 min) · Production orale (About 15 min; 10 min preparation (part 3 only)).

What is the pass mark for DELF B1 tout public?

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

How much does DELF B1 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 B1 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 B1 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 B1 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 B1 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 B1 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]
    French DELF-DALF “Tous Publics” Cardiff University (centre d’examen DELF-DALF)
  4. [4]
    Certifications DELF DALF Institut français d’Allemagne
  5. [5]
    Calendrier DELF-DALF Université de Limoges (Maison des Langues)
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
    Évolution des examens DELF-DALF DELF-DALF Suisse (centre national)
  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 (1 h 55) 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 B1 Compréhension écrite (Reading)DELF B1 Compréhension orale (Listening)DELF B1 Production écrite (Writing)DELF B1 Production orale (Speaking)DELF B1French 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