French A1 test: check your level, then see what the exam asks

A French A1 test can mean two different things: a short quiz that gives you an estimate, or an exam that gives you a certificate. This page does both jobs. It says what A1 means, gives you a five-question check with audio, then sets out what the DELF A1 exam asks. For the whole scale from A1 to C2, read French levels explained. For the official papers, read DELF A1 sample papers.

What does A1 French level mean?

A1 French level is the first of the six levels on the Council of Europe’s scale, the CEFR. It sits in the “basic user” band with A2 [1]. The Council of Europe’s description of A1 says a user [1]:

• can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases that meet needs of a concrete type;
• can introduce themselves and others;
• can ask and answer questions about personal details, such as where they live, people they know and things they have;
• can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

The wording is narrow on purpose: “familiar”, “very basic”, “simple”. A1 is about getting through short, predictable exchanges. Longer talk about opinions or plans starts higher up the scale.

How can you check your A1 French level?

Start with the four points above. Ask which ones you could do today, in French, without help. Then try the words below. They are the ones a beginner meets on a form or in a first conversation. Tap to hear each one.

Now try the quick check. It uses these words and the A1 descriptor.

A short quiz like this samples a very small part of a level. It tells you where to start, not what level you hold. For what such a check can and cannot show, read French comprehension quiz.

What does the French A1 exam ask?

The DELF A1 has 3 collective papers, taken in a room with other candidates, and 1 individual paper, taken alone in front of 2 examiners [2]. Each paper is out of 25 marks [2].

The exam body’s rule is 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 one paper is eliminatory [2].

The exam body also lists what to be able to do before you choose DELF A1: 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, and buy something and pay [2]. Read that list as a self-check, not as a promise about a result.

Its A1 page links example exam papers, the candidate handbook and advice for each exercise [2]. Two examples of the collective papers and one of the speaking paper are published, with audio, a marker’s document and marking grids [3]. The exam body says the two formats of the listening and reading papers used in sessions neither help nor hurt your chances [3].

Which other exams report A1 French?

The telc Français A1 is another French language test A1 candidates can sit. Its page calls it the general French examination for beginners, covering reading, listening, writing and speaking [4]. It has a written part and an oral part, is paper-based, and cannot be taken as a partial examination [4]. telc publishes a mock examination with audio files on that page [4].

This page does not say which exam to take. That depends on who asks for your result, so ask them which one they accept. The pages read for this guide say nothing on fees, session dates or waiting periods between attempts.

To build the vocabulary before any exam, see learn French. For the next level, read A2 French.

Common mistakes

• Treating an online quiz as a result. A short quiz estimates; only an exam gives a certificate.
• Reading A1 as a verdict on every skill. The DELF A1 marks four papers separately [2].
• Stopping at the total. The official rule needs 50 out of 100 and at least 5 out of 25 on every paper [2].
• Skipping the speaking paper. It is a paper of 25 marks, like the other three [2].
• Doing one sample paper only. The two examples show the two formats of the listening and reading papers [3].
• Relying on a guide, including this one. The official pages change. Check each page’s date against the date at the top of this one.

Sources