In short: the DELF and the DALF are official French diplomas, and what sets them apart is the level. The DELF has "4 diplomas that correspond to the first 4 levels" of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2); the DALF is "made up of 2 independent diplomas that correspond to advanced levels" (C1 and C2) (France Éducation international). CEFRHub is not a diploma: it is an educational assessment that places your written or spoken production on the same scale, so you can choose the right exam level and track your progress.
DELF vs DALF: What Sets Them Apart
| DELF | DALF | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Certificate in French Language Studies (Diplôme d'études en langue française) | Advanced Certificate of French Language Proficiency (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) |
| CEFR levels | A1, A2, B1, B2 (one diploma per level) | C1, C2 (one diploma per level) |
| Issued by | The French Ministry of National Education | The French Ministry of National Education |
| Validity | "valid for life" | "valid for life" |
| For university | The DELF B2 allows entry into French, European or Francophone universities | Increasingly, the DALF C1 |
Sources: France Éducation international, DELF tout public and DALF pages. For each level in detail, see our guide to CEFR language levels; for university requirements, see what CEFR level you need for university.
How the Exam Works: the DELF B2 Example
According to France Éducation international's DELF B2 page (in French), the exam has four tests:
- listening: 30 minutes;
- reading: 1 hour;
- writing: 1 hour, a text of at least 250 words;
- speaking: 20 minutes, after 30 minutes of preparation.
Each test is scored out of 25 points. To obtain the diploma, you need at least 50 points out of 100, and at least 5 points out of 25 in each test.
Price and dates. They vary from place to place: to register, you contact an exam centre, which provides information on registration costs, dates and exam locations (France Éducation international, in French). Results are issued by the centre after validation by the juries.
DELF, DALF or TCF?
According to France Éducation international, the TCF tout public (in French) is the French Ministry of National Education's language level test; its certificate is valid for 2 years. The DELF and the DALF are diplomas: one level per exam, and a diploma valid for life if you pass. The choice depends on what the institution or organisation requires.
Where CEFRHub Fits
| CEFRHub | DELF / DALF | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Educational assessment, not a certifying test | Official diploma |
| Languages | English and French | French |
| What is assessed | Written and spoken production | Listening, reading, writing and speaking |
| Result | CEFR level from A1 to C2, with sub-levels, report in under 3 minutes | Diploma if you pass, issued by the centre after validation by the juries |
| Price | Freemium $0 (writing: 1 assessment every 30 days; speaking: 1 assessment offered once); Professional CA$49/month (50 assessments) | Set by the exam centre |
Before the exam: choosing the right level
The DELF and the DALF are taken level by level. Registering at the right level means knowing where you stand: France Éducation international itself lists, in its practical information, links to test your level of French. A CEFRHub assessment places a written or spoken production on the CEFR scale, with a report that shows what is in place and what is left to work on.
During preparation: tracking progress
Between two sessions, regular assessments of your productions show whether your work is paying off, skill by skill. For a group of learners preparing the same session, the teacher uses the same rubric from one assessment to the next.
How CEFRHub Assesses Speaking
Two ways to submit a spoken production:
- Record with the microphone, in the browser; an audio level indicator is shown while you record.
- Upload an existing audio file, in MP3 or WAV format.
You also state the type of production: spontaneous, reading aloud, or rehearsed and memorized. This helps the analysis account for the differences between reading a text and speaking spontaneously. Our methodology describes what CEFRHub analyses.
What CEFRHub Does Not Do
- CEFRHub does not issue a diploma. When an institution or organisation requires an official result, you need an official exam such as the DELF, the DALF or the TCF.
- CEFRHub does not assess comprehension. It assesses written and spoken production; the DELF and the DALF also assess listening and reading.
For English, the same comparison exists with IELTS: see CEFRHub vs IELTS.
CEFRHub assesses written and spoken production, in English and French: a CEFR level from A1 to C2, with sub-levels, and a report based on the descriptors of the CEFR and its Companion Volume, in under 3 minutes. It is an educational assessment tool, not a certifying test. Results are not accepted for any immigration, citizenship or admission process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DELF and DALF?
The level. The DELF covers the first four CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1, B2); the DALF covers the advanced levels (C1, C2). Both are official diplomas of the French Ministry of National Education, valid for life.
What are the different DELF levels?
Four independent diplomas: DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2. Beyond them, the DALF has two diplomas: C1 and C2 (France Éducation international).
What does DELF stand for?
Diplôme d'études en langue française, which France Éducation international translates as Certificate in French Language Studies. DALF stands for Diplôme approfondi de langue française, the Advanced Certificate of French Language Proficiency.
Is the DELF exam easy?
It depends on the level you choose: each level is a separate exam. To pass the DELF B2, you need at least 50 points out of 100 and at least 5 out of 25 in each of the four tests (France Éducation international). Choosing the level that matches yours is the first step.
How much does the DELF cost?
The price is set by each exam centre, which also provides the dates and locations (France Éducation international). Check with the centre nearest you.
What is the difference between DELF and TCF?
The DELF is a diploma, taken level by level and valid for life. The TCF tout public is a language level test whose certificate is valid for 2 years (France Éducation international). The choice depends on what the institution or organisation requires.
Does the DELF expire?
No: France Éducation international describes it as a diploma valid for life, like the DALF.
Can CEFRHub replace the DELF or the DALF?
No. CEFRHub is an educational assessment tool, not a certifying test: it helps you choose the right level and track your progress. When an official result is required, you need an official exam.
Does CEFRHub assess all four DELF skills?
No. CEFRHub assesses written and spoken production; the DELF and the DALF also assess listening and reading.