DELE A2 Exam Guide: Format, Tasks, Scoring and Preparation
DELE A2 assesses whether a candidate can understand common information, manage simple direct exchanges and describe familiar aspects of everyday life. It demands more range and sustained communication than A1, especially in the longer listening, writing and speaking papers.
Use this guide for the general A2 exam. The A2/B1 exam for young learners is a different assessment and should be checked separately before registration.
DELE A2 exam format
The oral paper covers a topic presentation, description of a photograph and a simulated dialogue. The centre may schedule it on an adjacent day.
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| Paper | Time | Official structure | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 60 minutes | 4 tasks, 25 items | 25 |
| Listening comprehension | 40 minutes | 4 tasks, 25 items | 25 |
| Written expression and interaction | 45 minutes | 2 tasks | 25 |
| Oral expression and interaction | 12 minutes + 12 minutes preparation | 3 tasks | 25 |
What changes from A1 to A2
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| Skill | A1 emphasis | A2 progression |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Very short familiar information | Longer everyday texts and selecting relevant detail |
| Listening | Basic personal and practical information | More sustained familiar exchanges and contexts |
| Writing | Short personal interaction | A clear response plus a developed everyday text |
| Speaking | Personal introduction and simple exchange | Topic presentation, photo description and simulated situation |
How the DELE A2 pass rule works
A2 uses the same two-group rule as A1. Reading plus writing must reach 30/50, and listening plus speaking must independently reach 30/50. The balanced threshold makes a four-skill diagnostic essential.
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| Scoring group | Papers | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Reading + writing | 30 out of 50 |
| Group 2 | Listening + speaking | 30 out of 50 |
Practise the output the A2 tasks require
- Summarise the purpose and essential details of an everyday text before answering its items.
- Listen once for situation and speakers, then for the detail needed by the question.
- Plan both writing tasks briefly so every instruction is answered within the available time.
- Describe a photograph by locating people, actions and context before adding simple interpretation.
- Practise simulated dialogues where the interviewer changes or challenges one part of the situation.
Build the A2 plan from a model paper
Use the official A2 exam model, audio and answer keys for the first diagnostic. For productive papers, compare the response with the task requirements and official rating guidance rather than judging only grammar. Retest weaknesses with fresh prompts.
| Evidence | Action |
|---|---|
| Reading is slow but accurate | Practise scanning and timed task selection |
| Listening loses the situation | Preview options and identify speaker, place and purpose |
| Writing misses instructions | Underline required content and check each point before finishing |
| Speaking becomes memorised | Use varied photos and follow-up questions with no script |
Confirm that general A2 is the right exam
Check the exact exam named by the university, employer or official process involved. Candidates should not assume that an A2 requirement applies universally, or that a young-learner A2/B1 result and the general A2 exam are interchangeable for every recipient.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the DELE A2 exam?
The written papers total 145 minutes: 60 reading, 40 listening and 45 writing. The oral paper lasts 12 minutes after 12 minutes of preparation.
What score is needed to pass DELE A2?
You need at least 30/50 in reading plus writing and at least 30/50 in listening plus speaking.
Is general DELE A2 the same as A2/B1 for young learners?
No. They are different exams with different audiences and task structures. Confirm the correct exam with the receiving institution and examination centre.
Can a high reading score compensate for weak speaking?
Only within the defined groups. Reading combines with writing; speaking combines with listening. Each group must reach 30/50.
PERSONAL SUPPORT
Prepare for A2 from your actual starting point
Use a four-skill diagnostic and the target exam date to shape the work that follows.
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