What are the DELE exams?
The DELE Spanish Diplomas are official qualifications certifying the degree of competence and mastery of Spanish, granted by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain and, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Unión and Cooperation of Spain.
The DELE examinations have been designed following the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe.
The DELE diplomas have great prestige, not only among private and public institutions and authorities, but in the business sectors and in the spanish chamber of commerce. They are an official guarantee and certification of linguistic competence in Spanish language.
➕What knowledge and skills does the Spanish DELE exam assess?
You can do the DELE exam in six different levels of Spanish competence. This is what makes this certificate differ from others.
Generally, the exam consists of four parts. Depending on the level, they are divided in different tests, each formed by tasks which include the following skills:
- Reading comprehension.
- Written expression and interaction.
- Listening comprehension.
- Oral expression and interaction.
➕What types of exams are there and what are they divided into?
There are six levels in the Spanish DELE diplomas:
DELE A1 (Breakthrough) certifies that the student will be capable of engaging in situations that require a basic level of communication.
DELE A2 (Preliminary) certifies that the candidate will be capable of understanding phrases and expressions of common use in relation to areas of experience of special relevance to him/her, like basic information about himself/herself, his/her family, shopping, places of interest, occupations, etc.
DELE B1 (Intermediate) certifies the user's ability in understanding the key points in clear texts and in standard langauge, whether it is in work situations, study or leisure; therefore, describing experiences, wishes or briefly justifyng their opinions and explaining their plans.
DELE B2 (Advanced) certifies the user's linguistic abilities for interacting with native people with a certain degree of fluidity and ease. It also certifies the fluency in which the user produces clear and detailed texts about various topics, as well as defending his/her point of view about general topics or techincal ones, if they are in the user's interests.
DELE C1 (Proficiency) certifies the sufficient linguistic competence in order to comprehend a wide variety of texts and a fluent and spontaneous ability of expression. It also certifies the user's ability to use language in an effective and flexible way for social, academic and professional purposes and, finally, being able to produce clear, well structured and thoroughly detailed texts about topics with a certain level of complexity.
DELE C2 (Mastery) certifies the sufficient linguistic competence in order to communicate in whichever situation, with a high level of precision and fluency.
The Instituto Cervantes also offers two specific DELE exams for schoolchildren, the A1 and A2/B1, which are orientated for students of Spanish language ranging from 11 to 17 years of age. It adapts to any context, sector and situation characteristic of any students of these ages.
➕What levels do the DELE exams certify?
➕How long do the Spanish DELE exams last for?
The DELE A1 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Reading comprehension (45 min.)
- Listening comprehension (20 min.)
- Written expression and interaction (25 min.)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
The DELE A2 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Reading comprenhension (60 min.)
- Listening comprenhension (35 min.)
- Written expression and interaction (50 min.)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
The DELE B1 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Reading comprehension (70 min)
- Listening comprehension (40 min.)
- Written expression and interaction (60 min.)
- Oral expression and interaction (30 min: 15+15)
The DELE B2 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Reading comprehension (70 min.)
- Listening comprehension (40 min.)
- Written expression and interaction (80 min.)
- Oral expression and interaction (40 min: 20+20)
The DELE C1 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Reading comprehension and use of language (90 min.)
- Listening comprehension and use of language (50 min.)
- Integrated skills: listening comprehension and written expression and interaction (80 min.)
- Integrated skills: reading comprehension and oral expression and interaction (40 min: 20+20)
The DELE C2 exam consists of different tests, organized in the following groups:
- Use of language, Reading and listening comprehension (105 min: 60+45)
- Integrated skills: listening and reading comprehension and written expression and interaction (150 min.)
- Integrated skills: reading comprehension and oral expression and interaction (50 min: 30+20)
➕What advantages does it have?
Any person can take the DELE exams, no matter where they come from.
The Spanish DELE exams, same as other exams wih the DELE certification systems, give you the chance of obtaining the DELE Spanish diploma, an official Spanish qualification, granted by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training of Spain and Culture.
The final qualification is pass or fail.
It is recognised internationally.
It is a prerequisite for some university students.
It is valid for life.
The DELE is an official certificate of great prestige which will ease your access to the professional and academic world. It is highly appreciated by employers and universities.
You can consult the dates and locations before you sign up online.
Not only are there various examination centres in Spain, but there are other ones located in different places all around the world with varied examination dates.
➕How long are the scores valid?
Once you obtain the DELE diploma, you will have a certification that demonstrates your mastery of the Spanish language for the rest of your life.
How can you make your registration?
You can find all the available exam dates and centres in our web page.
SEARCH EXAM SESSIONS FOR DELEOfficial recognitions
The DELE diplomas have great prestige, not only amongst private and public institutions and authorities, but in the business sectors and in the Spanish chamber of commerce. They are an official guarantee and certification of linguistic competence in Spanish language.
In many countries, the DELE diplomas have been adopted by educational authorities and teaching centres as complements to their own evaluation programmes. They are ideal in order to ease the promotion and access to education, not only in Spain, but in the rest of the countries where the tests are carried out.
In Spain, the DELE diplomas are recognised by international organisations and regional institutions.
In Spain, in order to enter the Spanish Ministry of Justice, the user needs the DELE diploma A2 or an advanced one. Because one of the requirements that is needed if the user wants to get Spanish nationality is that he/she must possess a certain level of Spanish linguistic knowledge if he/she is not from a Spanish speaking country.
In order to enter the Health Ministry, the DELE C1 or C2 diploma is needed for the access of MIR and FIR vacancies.
International official recognition (of studies carried out in other countries): The users that possess a DELE C2 diploma and join the Spanish educational system by convalidation of studies which have been carried out in another country will not have to take any Spanish proficiency tests.
The General State and Public Organism Administrations: The DELE diplomas are considered to show the appropriate levels of Spanish linguistic competence for any professional or academic activity in Spain which requires certain levels of proficiency.
In France, the DELE diplomas are recognised officially by the French Ministry of Education.