DELF B1 practice test: exam format, pass mark and how to prepare
A free DELF B1 practice test with all four papers, listening, reading, writing and speaking, is at /exam/delf/b1. The DELF B1 exam has four papers, each marked out of 25: about 1 hour 45 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes of written papers in one room, then a 15-minute individual speaking test after 10 minutes of preparation. To get the diploma you need at least 50 out of 100, and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper. B1 is the "threshold" level of the Common European Framework (CEFR): you can get by in most everyday situations, and give and explain your opinion. This guide sets out each paper, the pass rule and a plan.
The pattern here is from the DELF B1 candidate manual of France Éducation international (December 2021 edition), which centres were still issuing in 2026. Check with your centre which version of the paper it sets.
DELF B1 at a glance
| Paper | Time | What it is | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compréhension de l'oral (listening) | About 25 minutes | 3 exercises on recordings | /25 |
| Compréhension des écrits (reading) | 35 to 45 minutes | 2 or 3 exercises | /25 |
| Production écrite (writing) | 45 minutes | 1 text of at least 160 words | /25 |
| Production orale (speaking) | 15 minutes, after 10 minutes of preparation | 3 parts, with two examiners | /25 |
| Total | /100 |
- The first three papers are sat together, one after another, in one room. Speaking is individual, often on the same day or another day set by the centre.
- There is no negative marking. On the comprehension papers a wrong or blank answer scores nothing.
- DELF B1 is a stand-alone diploma: you do not need A1 or A2 first. It does not expire.
- There is no single world exam date. Each approved centre sets its own sessions, so ask your nearest centre; our DELF 2026 guide explains booking.
Two formats are in use
The candidate manuals say two versions of the papers circulate for a few years: the original format and an updated "format 2", and the centre decides which one you get. The times and the 25-point scale are the same in both; the number of exercises changes. That is why reading is "2 or 3 exercises" and "35 to 45 minutes" above. Practise both shapes if you can.
Listening (compréhension de l'oral)
Three recordings:
- A dialogue about everyday life.
- A radio extract on a work-related topic.
- A radio extract on a general topic.
The manual tells candidates to expect a second listening, and the first question of each exercise is about the general meaning: who is speaking, where, and why. Read the questions before each recording so you know what to listen for.
Reading (compréhension des écrits)
- Find information to complete a task: for example, choose the right course, trip or product from a brochure, an advert or a menu, using the criteria given.
- One or two general-interest articles: questions on the main idea, details and the writer's view.
Read the task before the text, and underline the line of the text that gives each answer, so you can check it before you move on.
Writing (production écrite)
One task in 45 minutes: express a personal view in at least 160 words, as an essay, a letter or an article, as the task asks.
To score well:
- Do what the task asks: if it says letter, write a letter with a greeting and a close; if it asks for an opinion, give one clearly.
- Organise the text: an introduction, two or three paragraphs each with one idea and an example, and a conclusion.
- Use linking words (d'abord, ensuite, par contre, pourtant, c'est pourquoi, en conclusion).
- Count your words. Fewer than 160 is a risk; plan for 180 to 200.
Speaking (production orale)
Three parts, about 15 minutes in all, in front of two examiners:
- Guided interview (entretien dirigé): you talk about yourself, your interests, your plans. No preparation.
- Interactive exercise (exercice en interaction): a role-play of an everyday situation, such as solving a problem or persuading someone.
- Expressing a point of view (expression d'un point de vue): from a short document, you present a view on the topic and answer the examiners' questions. This is the part you prepare in the 10 minutes.
In the preparation time, write a short plan (the topic, your view, two arguments with examples), not full sentences, and speak from it.
The pass mark: why 5/25 matters
The diploma needs 50 out of 100 overall and at least 5 out of 25 on each paper. A paper under 5 fails the whole level, whatever the total. So a strong total cannot rescue a very weak paper: if listening or writing is your weak spot, bring it up to a safe level before polishing your best paper.
| Example | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 14 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 54 | Pass |
| B | 4.5 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 64.5 | Fail (listening under 5) |
Marks can fall on half points.
An eight-week plan
- Week 1: sit the full DELF B1 practice test on a timer to find your weakest paper.
- Weeks 2 to 5: every day, 20 minutes of French radio or podcasts at B1 level and one short article. Twice a week, a timed 160-word opinion text, checked for agreement, tenses and linking words. Once a week, record yourself presenting a view on a topic for three minutes.
- Weeks 6 and 7: one full practice exam a week, in the real order and times, with a speaking practice afterwards.
- Week 8: light revision of your error list and rest.
Our article on how to analyse a mock test shows how to turn each practice exam into a short list of things to fix.
Free DELF B1 practice test
The free DELF B1 practice test has the four papers in the B1 shape and times, with marks out of 25 for each. For booking, centres and the other levels, read DELF 2026: test dates, format, how to book and free practice tests; if you are aiming higher, the DELF B2 test is on the DELF page.