DELF-DALF Exams
Exams offered at the SFU Exam Centre
The SFU Exam Centre offers the following exams:
Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) :
- DELF B1 TOUT PUBLIC
- DELF B2 TOUT PUBLIC
Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) :
- DALF C1 TOUT PUBLIC
The following chart describes the different levels:
Level |
Description |
DALF C1 Proficient user |
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
DELF B2 Independent user |
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. |
DELF B1 Independent user |
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. |
The DELF/DALF TOUT PUBLIC is a general diploma and is sufficient for most assessments required for adults and young adults. |
This chart is adapted from the Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues : apprendre, enseigner, évaluer (CECR) « Tableau 1 – Niveaux communs de compétence – Échelle globale » (pages 25 to 28).
If you are applying to the French Module of the Professional Development Program at SFU, find out which level is required for admission.
Format and duration of the exams
Each exam consists of:
- 3 group tests - listening, reading and writing
- 1 individual test - speaking
You can consult detailed descriptions of the DELF and DALF exams.
For a given level, all the candidates take the group tests together on the same day at the same time. For the individual tests, each candidate is scheduled on a different day and at a different time. You cannot choose the date or time of your test.
Whenever possible, we will try to schedule your individual speaking test on the same day as the group tests. If the number of candidates does not allow us to schedule the individual tests the same day as the group tests, your individual test may be scheduled another day either after the group tests or on the Saturday or within two weeks of the group tests. For example, some DALF C1 individual tests may be scheduled the Saturday after the DALF C1 group tests on Tuesday.
The schedules will be confirmed once registration is closed.
The group tests start at 9 a.m.
Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before the start of the group tests.
CANDIDATES ARRIVING AFTER THE START OF THE GROUP TESTS (during the audio file) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAM.
Exam |
Group tests starting at 9 a.m. |
Preparation for individual tests starting at different times |
Individual tests following the preparation |
DELF B1 |
1 hour and 55 minutes* |
10 min. |
15 min. |
DELF B2 |
2 hours and 30 minutes |
30 min. |
20 min. |
DALF C1 |
4 hours |
1 hour |
30 min. |
* Duration starting in March 2020 (it used to be 1 hour and 45 minutes)
Minimum score required to pass
Minimum required to pass and obtain the diploma: 50/100
Minimum required on each component of the exam to obtain the diploma: 5/25
For admission to the PDP French Module, a minimum score of 15/25 is required for each component of the exam for the DELF B1, and 5/25 for the DELF B2 and DALF C1. For PDP French Module admission, check the minimum language requirements here.
Group tests |
Score (maximum) |
Listening |
25 |
Reading |
25 |
Writing |
25 |
Individual test |
Score (maximum) |
| Speaking | 25 |
Location
The exam sessions take place on one of the campuses: SFU Burnaby, SFU Vancouver (Harbour Centre) or SFU Surrey.
Results
Results should be available from 2 to 4 weeks after the exams. Diplomas may take up to 4 to 6 months to arrive after the exams.