DELF B1 Exam – French proficiency test
Moving on to the next level of your French learning journey, B1 is your level up in French. B1 DELF exam, is a benchmark of intermediate French learner, and hence is acceptable worldwide as an averagely good proficiency level for jobs, or studying a course in a French speaking country.
Just like A1 and A2, you would be assessed on four competences, i.e. listening, reading, speaking and writing. According to these competencies, the DELF exams are divided into four modules, viz.
- Compréhension orale
- Compréhension écrite
- Production écrite
- Production orale
Each module tallies up to 25 marks, hence making the total 100.
French B1 Exam Modules
Compréhension orale (Listening):
Total marks: 25
Total duration: 25 minutes
According to the new pattern, your sheet would have three comprehension questionnaires which will be MCQs. Please note that, since B1 is a level up, you would have to decipher a tad bit of complicated numbers, words and synonyms in these exercises.
In question 1, there is a conversation of 1.5 or 2 minutes played twice and there are MCQs. Question 2 and 3 are usually radio podcasts that last for about 2 minutes. Just like question 1, there will be MCQs. All these audios will be played twice. The topics are usually typical, like environment, technology, work, health and the list goes on. All these topics are mostly covered in our course. Check out our Course description!
Compréhension écrite (Reading):
Total marks: 25
Total duration: 45 minutes
This module, though easy in previous levels, is a tad bit difficult for B1. Here, you would have three questions. Question 1 is an easy exercise. You would be provided with certain conditions to fulfill for apartments, or restaurants, or any such places. Along with that, there will be around 5 advertisements with details. You must now analyze and compare all, and find the right place that fits all your criteria.
Question 2 and 3 are articles and there will be one-line answers, MCQs and true or false questions. Please note that the vrai ou faux (i.e. true or false) questions have a rule. You would see a blank for justification. Here you must copy the sentence that justifies your answer, whether it is true or false. The catch is that, even if either one (i.e. the choice between true or false, or the justification) is wrong your entire answer is considered wrong.
Production écrite (Writing):
Total marks: 25
Total duration: 45 minutes
This module generally is for 45 minutes. This module, unlike A1 and A2, would have only one task. You must write a text in the form as per the question like letter, e-mail, article, or essay. The word limit is always mentioned therefore you would know how much to write. As per the pattern, you must write 160 words, however you may exceed it, but not too much. These questions require you to express your opinion, experiences and also your arguments in a structured and coherent manner.
Use of proficient-level words is suggested. Something important there is grammar and spellings! While writing the sentences, keep the grammar in check and also make sure to proofread your work. This truly helps find the teeny-tiny errors that we easily overlook while writing. To get a better idea about how you are marked, please refer to these rubrics.
Production orale (speaking):
Total marks: 25
Total duration: 15-20 minutes (10 minutes preparation)
At B1 level, this module is divided into three parts: In Part 1, you introduce yourself as well as talk about your family, your hobbies, your profession or field of study etc. This is spontaneous and takes about 2-3 minutes. The examiner may ask you a question or two based on your introduction.
In Part 2 you would have two cards and you would ask to choose any one for a spontaneous conversation with your examiner. The topics are based on some pretty common things like what is your hobby and the reason you chose it, or your profession, or general questions that involve you giving your opinion. This part is only supposed to be 3-4 minutes. The objective of this is to verify your ability to converse normally in day to day situations, ask a question in the right context and even understand the response given by your examiner and react accordingly. Don’t forget that the salutations and your diction matters.
Part 3 comprises a monologue with your opinion about a certain topic. The initial 10 minutes that you get, are solely meant for preparation of part 3. There are small texts from newspapers on cards. You would receive 4 blinded cards, you will choose two of them, read both of them, and choose one. It is of great advantage that you get to read both the topics, therefore choose wisely. You must speak for around 4 minutes and you are allowed to refer to your notes that you made while preparing. However, do not write full sentences, you are expected to write only key points. You are also expected to speak and not read. Your monologue will be followed by a question or two by the examiner.
Speaking tests makes people anxious and it is human if you start panicking, try to calm down and take your time to be comfortable enough, take time to reformulate the sentences if you feel you are going wrong. Reformulating sentences is not seen negatively, feel free to do so if you need it.
For getting a better idea about the topics that may appear in your question paper, check out the sample papers. Here’s the link to a sample paper: Click here!
All the very best! Bon courage!
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