Everything You Need to Know About the DALF Exam

The DALF (Advanced French Language Diploma) is a French language certification that was established in 1985. It is issued by the French National Ministry of Education and attests to a candidate's proficiency in French.

This accreditation is valid for life once received.

What is the certification's purpose?

The DALF is intended for non-French speakers who want to assess their level of French and/or study or work in a French-speaking country.

What does the test involve?

The DALF exam consists of four parts that involve listening, speaking, reading and writing. There are two DALF examinations: the DALF C1 and the DALF C2.

Candidates’ skills for the DALF C1 are assessed through:

• Listening: candidates answer comprehension questionnaires based on recorded material.
• Reading: candidates answer a comprehension questionnaire on the ideas in a text (literary or journalistic).
• Writing: candidates have to write a summary of documents and an argument.
• Speaking: this part takes place in front of a jury. Candidates make a presentation based on written material and then discuss it with the jury.

Candidates’ skills for the DALF C2 are assessed through:

• Writing and speaking: candidates must write a report after listening to an audio recording. They must then speak about a topic or an issue orally with a panel of judges.
• Reading and writing: candidates must produce a text (report, speech or article). The text is based on a set of documents around 2,000 words.

How long does the test take?

The DALF C1 exam takes 5 hours and 30 minutes:

• 40 minutes for listening;
• 50 minutes for reading;
• 2.5 hours for writing.
• 1.5 hours for speaking

The DALF C2 takes 5 hours:

• 3.5 hours for reading and writing  
• 1.5 hours for listening and speaking  

What levels can the DALF assess?

The DALF exam targets candidates showcasing an advanced level of language skills (C1 to C2 on the CEFR scale) and is open to all ages and the general public.

What grading system does the DALF test use?

The DALF tests assess the four language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

The DALF written and oral tests are marked out of 50 to obtain a combined score out of 100. A minimum of 50/100 and a minimum of 5/25 in each of the tests are required to obtain the diploma.

How much does the test cost? Where can you take it?

Candidates can take the test in over 100 test centers in 173 countries.

The DALF costs an average of €150. However, examination centers are free to set their own prices, and some add a €30 administrative charge.

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