DELF A1 sample papers: what the exam asks, paper by paper

DELF A1 sample papers are published by the exam body, France Éducation international, as 2 full examples with audio, a marker’s document and marking grids [2]. This page lists what each paper asks and the official marks, then shows where to find the papers and how to use each part. For what level A1 means next to the others, read French levels explained. For the Canadian side of DELF, see DELF and DALF for Canadian immigration. To practise the listening paper’s skill with other material, try French listening practice.

What is the DELF A1 exam?

The DELF A1 exam is the DELF diploma at level A1 [1]. A1 is the first level of the Council of Europe’s scale. Its global scale says a user at A1 can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases, introduce themselves and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details [3].

The exam has 3 collective papers, taken in a room with other candidates, and 1 individual paper, taken alone in front of 2 examiners [1]. That makes 4 papers in all.

What does the DELF A1 certificate cover?

The exam body does not describe the certificate in a sentence. It lists what to be able to do before you choose DELF A1 [1]:

• introduce yourself and someone else;
• understand simple spoken announcements and instructions;
• understand short, simple texts;
• fill in a form with your name, nationality and address;
• write a simple, short postcard;
• answer and ask simple questions;
• buy something and pay.

Read that list as a self-check, not as a promise about your result.

What are the four DELF A1 papers?

Each paper is out of 25 marks [1]. Here is each one, with the official timings.

All of this comes from the exam body’s A1 page [1]. Two words you will meet in the writing paper are le formulaire (the form) and le prénom (the first name), next to le nom (the family name).

What is the pass rule?

The exam body’s rule is at least 50 out of 100 overall, and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper [1]. A mark below 5 out of 25 on any one paper is eliminatory [1].

Where are the official DELF A1 exam papers?

They are on the exam body’s DELF A1 sample-paper page, which the A1 level page links as “example exam papers” [1][2]. That page gives 2 examples of the collective papers and 1 example of the individual, speaking paper [2]. The level page also links the candidate handbook and advice for preparing each exercise [1].

For each collective example, you get 3 documents [2]:

• the candidate’s document (the papers you sit);
• the marker’s document with the answers (document correcteur);
• the supervisor’s document with the listening transcript (document surveillant).

For the speaking paper you get a candidate document and an examiner’s document [2]. There is an MP3 for every listening exercise of both examples, plus the whole audio in one file, 11 MP3 links on the A1 page [2].

What are the two formats of the DELF A1 exam sample papers?

The exam body says the listening and reading papers are used in 2 formats in official sessions, and each example shows one [2]. The number of exercises and questions, the length of the documents and the form of the questions differ between the formats [2]. The page states that neither format helps or hurts your chance of success [2].

So work through both examples. They are the only way to see both formats.

Are DELF DALF A1 sample papers the same thing?

Almost. DELF covers A1 to B2 and DALF covers C1 and C2, so A1 papers sit on the DELF side [1][2]. The exam body publishes sample-paper pages for the DELF levels and for the DALF levels, and the A1 page is the one that matters here [2].

How do you use the DELF A1 sample papers?

Use them in the order of the exam, with the official minutes. This is general study advice, not an exam-body method.

1. Sit the listening paper with the MP3s. It lasts 20 minutes [1]. Play each recording as the paper instructs, then mark your answers with the marker’s document [2].
2. Read the transcript afterwards. The supervisor’s document has the transcript, so you can see what you missed [2].
3. Time the reading and writing papers at 30 minutes each [1]. For the form and the message of at least 40 words, compare your text with the writing grid [1][2].
4. Rehearse the speaking paper aloud. Take the 10 minutes’ preparation, then the 5 to 7 minutes of the interview, the exchange of questions and the role play [1]. Use the examiner’s document and the speaking grid [2].
5. Read the marking grids. The exam body publishes the grids examiner-markers use for writing and speaking, the performance descriptors and an explanation of each criterion [2]. The writing criteria are task completion, coherence and cohesion, sociolinguistic fit, vocabulary and grammar [2].

The pages we read say nothing on fees, dates, centres, results timing or how many times you can sit. Ask the exam body or your centre for those.

See also: DELF A2 sample papers and DELF B1 sample papers.

Common mistakes

• Stopping at the total. The rule needs 50 out of 100 and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper [1].
• Doing only one example. The two examples show the two formats of the listening and reading papers [2].
• Skipping the marker’s document. It holds the answers for the collective papers [2].
• Ignoring speaking. It is a paper of 25 marks like the other three [1].
• Reading the writing task as optional length. The message needs at least 40 words [1].
• Relying on a guide, including this one. The exam body updates its pages. Compare the official page’s date with the date at the top of this page.

Sources