DALF exam: C1 and C2 format, marks and sample papers

The DALF exam is the advanced part of France’s official French diplomas, with 2 levels: C1 and C2 [1][2]. This page sets out each paper’s timing and marks, how C1 and C2 differ, and where the official sample papers are. For what each level means, see French levels explained. For where DALF counts in Canada, see DELF and DALF for Canadian immigration. For every other French exam, see French exams: the full list.

What is the DALF exam?

DALF has two levels, C1 and C2, each with its own page at France Éducation international [1][2]. The official C1 page describes a candidate who can understand a wide range of long, demanding texts and implicit meaning, and speak on complex subjects clearly and in a well-structured way [1]. The C2 page describes someone who can convey fine shades of meaning precisely and master idiomatic and colloquial expressions [2].

What are the DELF DALF exam levels?

The DELF DALF exam is 2 sets of diplomas from the same body. The DELF pages on the official site cover A1, A2, B1 and B2. The DALF pages cover C1 and C2 [3]. Each level has its own page and its own papers [1][2][3].

C1 follows the same layout as the DELF levels: 3 collective papers and 1 individual paper [1]. C2 breaks from it [2].

What is the format of the DALF C1?

DALF C1 has 4 papers, each out of 25 points: 3 collective (with other candidates) and 1 individual (before 2 examiners) [1].

The pass rule: at least 50 out of 100 overall, and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper. A mark below 5 out of 25 on any paper is eliminatory [1].

What is the format of the DALF C2?

DALF C2 has 2 papers instead of 4, each out of 50 points: 1 collective and 1 individual [2]. The pass rule is again 50 out of 100 overall, but the floor is at least 10 out of 50 on each paper. A mark below 10 out of 50 is eliminatory [2].

• Collective paper (reading and writing together). One exercise: write a structured text, such as an article, editorial, report or speech, from a dossier of about 2,000 words. It lasts 3 hours 30 minutes [2].
• Individual paper (listening and speaking together). Three exercises: a report on an audio document heard twice, a personal development of the issue it raises, and a debate with the jury. It lasts 30 minutes, after 1 hour’s preparation [2].

Say the exam words once: le candidat, le jury, le sujet, un exercice.

DALF C1 vs C2: what is different?

Source for every row: [1][2].

What is the difference between DELF and DALF?

DELF covers A1 to B2 and DALF covers C1 to C2 [3]. For comparison, DELF B2 has 2 listening exercises (30 minutes), 2 reading exercises (1 hour), 1 text of at least 250 words (1 hour) and a 20-minute speaking paper with 30 minutes’ preparation [3]. DALF C1 asks for a longer, two-part writing paper and a longer speaking paper with 1 hour’s preparation [1].

Where are the official DALF sample papers?

France Éducation international publishes sample papers for both levels, with marking grids and performance descriptors [4][5].

• C1: one example of the collective papers and one of the individual paper. It comes with candidate, marker and supervisor documents (the supervisor’s includes the listening transcript), plus MP3 audio for listening exercise 1, exercise 2 (parts 1 and 2) and the whole recording [4].
• C2: two examples of each paper, and each example shows one format of that paper. Each has a candidate document for the written paper, candidate and examiner documents for the oral paper, a supervisor transcript and one MP3 [5].

To use them: time yourself on one paper at the official length, then read the marker’s document against your answer. Use the writing and speaking grids to see what the markers look at. Each level page also links a candidate handbook [4][5].

See also: DELF B2 practice papers and DELF B1 sample papers.

Common mistakes

• Treating C2 as a longer C1. C2 has 2 papers out of 50, not 4 out of 25, and a different floor [1][2].
• Reading only the 50 out of 100. A mark below the floor on one paper is eliminatory, whatever your total [1][2].
• Practising the writing without a clock. C1 writing is 2 hours 30 minutes for two texts, and C2 is 3 hours 30 minutes for one [1][2].
• Skipping the preparation hour in speaking practice. Both levels give 1 hour’s preparation before 30 minutes of speaking [1][2].
• Using only one C2 example. There are 2 examples, each showing a different format of the paper [5].
• Relying on this page for dates, fees or centres. It does not cover them. Check the official page’s date against the date at the top of this one.

Sources