DELF B1 sample papers: find them, time them, mark them

DELF B1 sample papers are published by France Éducation international (FEI), the body that runs the diploma. This page shows where they are, what the four B1 papers contain and how to use each file. For the whole scale, read French levels explained. For what B1 means in plain words, read B1 French. For what the DELF counts for in immigration, read DELF and DALF for Canadian immigration.

What is DELF B1?

DELF B1 is the diploma level that matches B1 on the CEFR, the Council of Europe’s scale of language levels. The Council of Europe describes a B1 user as someone who can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters, deal with most travel situations, and produce simple connected text [1]. That user can also describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly give reasons for opinions and plans [1].

FEI’s B1 page turns this into tasks. Its “I choose DELF B1 if I can” list includes telling an event or experience, giving and justifying an opinion, making proposals and hypotheses, and organising a presentation in logical order [2].

What is in the DELF B1 exam?

The DELF B1 exam has three collective papers, taken with other candidates in the same room, and one individual paper, taken alone before two examiners [2]. Here are the four papers as FEI lists them [2].

The three collective papers add up to 115 minutes. The three speaking parts are the directed interview (entretien dirigé), the expression of a point of view and an interaction exercise [2].

Each paper is out of 25 points [2]. The pass rule is at least 50/100 overall and at least 5/25 on every paper. Below 5/25 on any paper is eliminatory [2].

Where are the DELF B1 sample papers?

On FEI’s B1 sample-paper page, titled exemples de sujets (example papers) [3]. The B1 level page links to it under “Je me prépare à l’examen”, next to preparation advice for each exercise [3]. The sample-paper page offers:

• Two example collective papers. Each shows one format of the listening and reading papers [3].
• One example speaking paper, with a candidate document and an examiner’s document [3].
• A marker’s document with the answers (document correcteur) for each collective example [3].
• A supervisor’s document (document surveillant) with the listening transcript [3].
• MP3 audio. Eight links on the B1 page: exercises 1 to 3 plus the whole recording, for each of the two examples [3].
• Marking grids for writing and speaking, performance descriptors and an explanation of each criterion [3].

The candidate documents, answers, transcript and grids are separate files. Download the set for one example and keep it together.

Are there DELF B1 past papers?

The official page offers example papers, not a list of past session papers. The text read for this page does not describe the examples as papers from a past session [3]. If another site sells “past papers” for DELF B1, check what it says they are. Use the FEI files as your reference.

Which DELF B1 exam format do the sample papers follow?

Both. FEI says two formats of the listening and reading papers are used in official sessions [3]. The number of exercises and questions, the length of the documents and the form of the questions differ between them [3]. FEI says neither format gives candidates an advantage or a disadvantage [3].

So do one example from each. The two collective examples exist so you can see both.

How do you use the DELF B1 sample papers?

Work one example at a time, in the real order and with the real timings.

1. Listening, 25 minutes. Use the matching MP3s, not the transcript. Open the supervisor’s document only after you finish [2][3].
2. Reading, 45 minutes. Keep the marker’s document closed until the clock stops [2][3].
3. Writing, 45 minutes. Write one text of at least 160 words, then count your words [2]. Read the writing grid after, and score yourself against each criterion: task completion, coherence and cohesion, sociolinguistic fit, vocabulary and grammar [3].
4. Speaking, 15 minutes after 10 to prepare. Use the candidate and examiner documents with a partner who can read the examiner’s role, and check the speaking grid [2][3].

Linking words carry a B1 text and a B1 answer, because both ask you to connect ideas and give reasons [1]. Tap to hear six that help.

Now try the quick quiz on the exam facts above.

Do DELF and DALF have B1 sample papers?

DELF B1 does. DALF is a different diploma: FEI’s DALF pages cover C1 and C2, and their sample papers sit on separate pages [2][3]. If you are searching for DELF DALF B1 sample papers, the B1 ones are in the DELF set.

See also: DELF A2 sample papers and DELF B2 practice papers.

Common mistakes

• Reading the transcript before you listen. The transcript is in the supervisor’s document, separate from the candidate paper [3].
• Practising only one format. Both formats of the listening and reading papers are used in official sessions [3].
• Writing under 160 words. The B1 writing paper asks for at least 160 words [2].
• Ignoring the 5/25 floor. A strong total does not save a paper below 5/25 [2].
• Skipping the grids. The writing and speaking grids are the marking criteria, and FEI publishes them with the examples [3].
• Trusting a blog’s timings, including this page. FEI’s pages change. Compare the official page’s date with the date at the top of this one.

Sources