DELF A2 sample papers: the official ones and how to use them

DELF A2 sample papers are the best way to see the exam before you sit it, and the exam body publishes them itself. This page lists what the four papers ask, how they are marked and what comes with each official sample. For the bigger picture, see French levels explained and DELF and DALF for Canadian immigration. To train the speaking paper, see French speaking practice.

What does A2 mean?

A2 is the second of six levels on the Council of Europe’s scale. A user at A2 can understand sentences and frequently used expressions about shopping, local geography and employment [3]. They can handle simple, routine exchanges and describe their background in simple terms [3].

France Éducation international lists what an A2 candidate can do. It includes simple everyday tasks (shops, asking for information, public transport), telling a past event, talking about likes and why, following directions, and linking sentences with et, mais and parce que [1]. If you take le bus, le train or walk to la gare, this is the kind of French the exam wants.

What is on the DELF A2 exam?

The DELF A2 exam has four papers, each out of 25 points [1]. Three are collective, with other candidates in the room. The speaking paper is individual, before two examiners [1].

All figures come from the exam body’s level page [1]. Fees, dates and centres are on other pages, and this page does not cover them.

How do you pass the DELF A2?

The pass rule is at least 50 out of 100 overall and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper [1]. A score below 5/25 on any one paper is eliminatory [1]. A strong paper cannot cover a very weak one.

What is in the DELF A2 production orale?

The speaking paper has three parts: a guided interview (entretien dirigé), a sustained monologue (monologue suivi) and an interaction exercise (exercice en interaction) [1]. It lasts 6 to 8 minutes, after 10 minutes of preparation [1].

The official page for sample papers gives one speaking sample: a candidate document and an examiner’s document [2]. The examiner’s document shows what the examiner works from, which helps you see the task from the other side of the table [2].

Where are the DELF A2 practice papers?

The official DELF A2 practice papers are on France Éducation international’s “exemples de sujets” page for A2 [2]. The page gives two examples of the collective papers and one example of the speaking paper [2].

The exam uses two formats of the listening and reading papers. The number of exercises and questions, the length of the documents and the form of the questions differ between them [2]. The exam body says neither format helps or hurts the chance of passing [2]. Each collective example shows one format, so doing both covers both [2].

The A2 page has these official materials [2]:

• A candidate document for each collective example.
• A marker’s document with the answers (document correcteur).
• A supervisor’s document with the listening transcript (document surveillant).
• 10 MP3 links: exercises 1 to 4 plus the whole audio, for each example.
• For the speaking sample, a candidate document and an examiner’s document.
• The marking grids for writing and speaking, with performance descriptors.

Are there DELF A2 sample papers with answers in PDF?

Yes. The marker’s document is the answer key for each collective example [2]. Open them from the official page rather than a copy, because a copy can be out of date.

The page does not say that the answers are explained beyond the marker’s document [2]. If you miss a question, the transcript in the supervisor’s document is where to look for the line that decided it [2].

How do you work through a DELF A2 sample paper?

Treat each sample as a timed practice test. Do the four papers in this order, with the stated times [1].

1. Listening. Play the example’s MP3s, one exercise at a time or the whole audio. Answer, then read the transcript to see what you missed [2].
2. Reading. Set 30 minutes. Mark yourself with the marker’s document [1][2].
3. Writing. Write two texts of at least 60 words each in 45 minutes. Then compare your texts with the writing grid: task completion, coherence and cohesion, sociolinguistic fit, vocabulary and grammar [2].
4. Speaking. Take 10 minutes to prepare, then talk through the three parts. Use the speaking grid and the examiner’s document [1][2].

The writing grid names the five criteria you are marked on [2]. Reading it before you write tells you what the examiners look for.

What does comprehension écrite DELF A2 ask?

The reading paper (compréhension des écrits) has 4 exercises in 30 minutes, out of 25 points [1]. The can-do list gives the flavour: understand a simple personal letter that invites, thanks or apologises, follow directions and ask for information [1].

Read the questions before the text, since the marker’s document tells you what each question wants. Then use the transcript or the answer key to see why you were wrong, not only that you were.

See also: DELF A1 sample papers and DELF B1 sample papers.

Common mistakes

• Doing only one format. The exam uses two formats of listening and reading, and each sample shows one [2].
• Skipping the speaking paper. Speaking carries its own 5/25 floor, and the sample page has an examiner’s document for it [1][2].
• Using the answer key first. Try the paper timed, then open the marker’s document [2].
• Ignoring the grids. The writing and speaking grids say how your work is marked [2].
• Reading a page that is out of date. The official pages change. Check the official page’s date against ours before you rely on this one.

Sources