French B2 Exam Kit

DELF B2

DELF B2 explained: the papers and timing, how it is marked, fees and session dates, who needs it, and the vocabulary and phrases to learn for it.

Tell me when it is ready Official page and exam centres ↗

Who needs this certificate

French nationality: the language level required rose from B1 to B2 on 1 January 2026.
Canada: Express Entry and other programmes score French by CLB level; CLB 7 is roughly B2.
French universities for many programmes taught in French.
Work where an employer or a regulated profession asks for B2.

How the exam works

1 Register at a centreFind a centre on the official page, choose a session and register before the deadline. The centre sets the fee.
2 PrepareLearn the words and phrases of the level, then practise the tasks with model tests. With the kit, enter your exam date and the plan gives you a daily number of new cards.
3 Exam dayBring a valid photo ID. The written papers are usually taken together; the speaking test may be on the same day or on another day set by the centre.
Results and certificateYour exam centre publishes the results, usually some weeks after the session. The diploma is issued by the French Ministry of Education and can take several months to arrive.

The papers

Paper	Time	What you do
Compréhension de l’oral	30 min	Several recordings: an interview, a report, a talk; multiple choice and short answers.
Compréhension des écrits	60 min	Two or three texts: an informative article and an argumentative text.
Production écrite	60 min	An argued text of about 250 words: a formal letter, an article or an essay taking a position.
Production orale	20 min	After 30 minutes of preparation: present a point of view from a short document, then defend it in a discussion.

Which part of the kit helps with which paper

Each paper, the kit sections that prepare you for it, and why.

Paper	Kit sections	Why it helps
Compréhension de l’oral	Vocabulary (12 topic decks) Production orale	Recordings use the same topic words and everyday spoken phrases; knowing them by ear, with the audio, is what makes listening easier.
Compréhension des écrits	Vocabulary (12 topic decks) Connecteurs	Reading texts are written around the exam topics: the topic words and the connectors let you follow the argument and find the answers faster.
Production écrite	Production écrite Connecteurs Collocations Grammaire en contexte	The writing tasks reward ready phrases for each text type, linking words, natural word combinations and accurate grammar.
Production orale	Production orale Connecteurs Collocations	Speaking goes more smoothly with phrases for giving opinions, agreeing, disagreeing and planning, and with linking words to structure what you say.
All papers	Le jour de l'examen et la naturalisation	Instructions, paper names and the words around registration and the exam itself, so nothing on the day is new.

How it is marked

Each paper is out of 25; you need 50 of 100 overall and at least 5 of 25 in every paper.

Fees

Set by each exam centre (Alliance Française, Institut français, universities).

Dates and registration

Several sessions a year, set by each centre.

Where to register

france-education-international.fr → DELF DALF → Centres d’examen
Official information ↗

Facts last checked on 2026-09-30. Rules and fees change: confirm with the official page before you register.

Questions about DELF B2

Which level do I need for DELF B2, and what is it for?

DELF B2 is asked for by many French universities and employers. Since 1 January 2026 French nationality requires B2, and a DELF B2 is one way to show it; check the list of accepted certificates.

How long does it take to prepare, and how many words do I need?

Commonly quoted estimates are about 500–600 hours of guided learning to reach B2 from scratch. If you are already one level below, expect a few months of regular study. The French B2 Exam Kit is in preparation; leave your e-mail on this page for one message when it is ready.

Does the DELF B2 certificate expire?

No. The DELF diploma is valid for life. Some institutions still set their own rules, so check what the place you apply to asks for.

Can I retake just one part of DELF B2?

No. The result is given for the exam as a whole, so a resit means taking every paper again.

How and when do I get my DELF B2 results?

Your exam centre publishes the results, usually some weeks after the session. The diploma is issued by the French Ministry of Education and can take several months to arrive.

What does the French B2 Exam Kit cover for DELF B2?

The French B2 Exam Kit is in preparation. It will cover the vocabulary of the exam topics and the phrases for writing and speaking. Leave your e-mail on this page for one message when it is ready.

Other exams this kit prepares for

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