Home › DELF B2 practice test
DELF B2 practice test: the four sections, with answers
Lire en français · Leer en español
The official DELF B2 sample papers are free: France Éducation international publishes two complete samples with the answer keys, the recordings and the marking grids — what each file contains. Four sections scored out of 25, a total out of 100, a pass at 50/100 — and a score below 5/25 in any one section that fails you, whatever your total. Listening and reading come in two formats in official sessions. Here is one exercise per section, in the reformed format, with the answers explained, then the method for the writing test, the section that separates candidates most.
- 4 sections out of 25 · total out of 100 · pass at 50/100.
- ⚠️ Below 5/25 in a single section = fail.
- Listening 30 min · reading 60 min · writing 60 min · speaking 20 min (+ 30 min of preparation).
- Listening and reading: two formats in official sessions (2 or 3 exercises); guided interview removed from the speaking test.
- ⚠️ In the 3-exercise listening format, the first 2 exercises are played twice, the 3rd only once.
- Writing: 250 words minimum, in one of three genres — a contribution to a debate, a formal letter, a critical article.
- Official sample papers: two free DELF B2 samples from France Éducation international, with answer keys, MP3 recordings and marking grids — file by file.
Contents
- The format of the four sections
- Official DELF B2 sample papers (free PDFs)
- One exercise per section, with answers
- The minimum score changes the strategy
- The method
- Writing: what the examiner really assesses
- The plan that works
- The three genres and what they require
- The five most costly mistakes
- How to split the 60 minutes
- Frequently asked questions
The format of the four sections
| Section | Content | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 2 or 3 exercises, depending on the format | 30 min | /25 |
| Reading | 2 or 3 exercises, depending on the format | 60 min | /25 |
| Writing | 1 task, 250 words minimum | 60 min | /25 |
| Speaking | Sustained monologue + debate | 20 min (+ 30 min of preparation) | /25 |
Beware of out-of-date past papers. If a document mentions a guided interview in the speaking test or open questions in listening or reading, it describes an exam that no longer exists. A large share of the resources online predate the reform.
Official DELF B2 sample papers (free PDFs from France Éducation international)
France Éducation international (FEI), which designs the DELF, publishes free sample papers on its DELF B2 sample papers page (in French, like the exam). There are two samples of the group papers because, FEI explains, two formats of the listening and reading papers are used in official sessions: the number of exercises and questions, the length of the documents and the form of the questions differ from one format to the other, and neither format makes it easier or harder to pass. Each sample illustrates one format; a third set covers the speaking test.
| File | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Example 1 — candidate document (group papers) | The listening, reading and writing papers, as handed to candidates |
| Example 1 — marker’s document (document correcteur) | The answer keys and marking instructions for those papers |
| Example 1 — invigilator’s document (document surveillant) | The transcript of the listening recordings |
| Example 1 — audio | Three MP3 files, one per listening exercise, and the complete recording |
| Example 2 — candidate, marker’s and invigilator’s documents | The same three documents, for the other format |
| Example 2 — audio | Two MP3 files, one per listening exercise, and the complete recording |
| Individual test — candidate document | The speaking-test (production orale) documents given to the candidate |
| Individual test — examiner’s document | The examiner’s side of the speaking test |
| Marking grids | The DELF B2 writing grid and speaking grid, each with its performance descriptors, and FEI’s explanation of every criterion |
To use them, sit the candidate document in real time — 30 minutes of listening, 60 of reading, 60 of writing — then check your listening and reading against the marker’s document, and reread the transcript for every question you missed. Writing and speaking cannot be marked with an answer key: score yourself, or have someone score you, with the official grids, which are the ones examiners use. The same page exists for the DELF B1 and the DALF C1.
One exercise per section, with answers
The recordings, documents, questions and topics are in French, as on exam day; the answers and what the examiner expects are explained underneath.
Exercise 1 — level B2 — listening
🎧 Listen up to 2 times, as on exam day — without reading the transcript.
Interview · 1 min 46 s
Question: Quelle augmentation note-t-on pour les troubles ?
- Une hausse de 20 % en cinq ans
- Une hausse de 80 % en cinq ans
- Une hausse de 40 % entre 2019 et 2024
- Une hausse de 60 % entre 2019 et 2024
Show an excerpt of the transcript — open it only after listening
⚠️ This is a listening exercise. In the DELF B2, the first two exercises are played twice — but never with a transcript. Reading the text before listening turns it into a reading exercise and completely skews the measure of your level.
« Journaliste : Vous êtes spécialiste en santé publique. La question de la santé mentale des jeunes est devenue un sujet majeur en France. Pouvez-vous nous en dire plus ?
Docteur Martin : Oui, effectivement, nous observons une augmentation très préoccupante des troubles psychiques chez les 15-25 ans depuis la pandémie de Covid-19. Les consultations pour anxiété et dépression ont augmenté de 40 % entre 2019 et 2024 dans cette tranche d'âge. Les tentatives de suicide chez les adolescentes ont doublé. »
Show the answer and the explanation
Answer: C — Une hausse de 40 % entre 2019 et 2024 (a 40% rise between 2019 and 2024) — a spotting question, but with two close figures in the document: the 40% refers to the consultations, « doublé » (doubled) to suicide attempts. Always check what a figure refers to before you tick — it is the most common distraction mechanism.
Exercise 2 — level B2 — reading
Document — press article:
« La transition écologique en France : un défi collectif. Depuis l'Accord de Paris en 2015, la France s'est engagée dans une transformation profonde de son modèle économique et énergétique. Le plan national bas-carbone fixe des objectifs ambitieux : réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre de 40 % d'ici 2030 par rapport aux niveaux de 1990. Mais entre les annonces politiques et la réalité du terrain, le fossé reste considérable. »
Question: Quel est le but principal de cet article ?
- Favoriser les initiatives locales sur le plan national
- Célébrer les succès climatiques français récents
- Comparer la France aux autres pays européens
- Montrer les contradictions sociales de la transition
Show the answer and the explanation
Answer: D — Montrer les contradictions sociales de la transition (to show the social contradictions of the transition) — the question is about the author’s intention, not the content. The pivot is « Mais »: the article states the objectives the better to expose the gap with reality. Option B is the expected misreading — a hurried reader remembers the « objectifs ambitieux » and concludes that the article is a celebration.
Writing — 60 minutes · 250 words minimum · scored out of 25
Vous habitez dans une ville où la mairie a décidé de supprimer plusieurs lignes de bus pour des raisons budgétaires. En tant que président(e) d'une association de quartier, vous écrivez au maire pour protester contre cette décision. Vous expliquez les conséquences pour les habitants et vous proposez des solutions alternatives.
What the examiner expects
Three constraints combine here: the genre (a formal letter, so a greeting, a subject line and a sign-off), the role (you are writing in your official capacity, not in your own name), and the two actions required (explaining the consequences and proposing alternatives). Leaving out the proposals is the most frequent mistake: candidates protest but offer no alternative. 250 words is a floor.
Speaking — 30 minutes of preparation · 20 minutes in front of the examiners · scored out of 25
Vous dégagerez le problème soulevé par le document ci-dessous. Vous présenterez votre opinion sur le sujet de manière argumentée, puis vous la défendrez face à l'examinateur lors d'un débat.
What the examiner expects
The test starts straight away with the monologue: the guided interview, which used to help you relax, was removed by the reform. The 30 minutes of preparation are for building a plan and noting keywords, not for writing — a candidate who reads their notes is easy to spot. In the second part, the examiners don’t agree with you, and that is deliberate: their role is to test your ability to hold a position while qualifying it. Abandoning your argument at the first objection costs points.
The minimum score changes the strategy
| Rule | Threshold | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50/100 | Below it, you fail |
| Minimum score per section | 5/25 | Below it in a single section, you fail — even with 60/100 |
The consequence is counter-intuitive: a very weak skill costs you more than a strong one earns you. A candidate with 20/25 in reading and 4/25 in speaking fails, even though their total is above the pass mark. So your first job is not to improve where you are already good, but to get your weakest section out of the danger zone.
The method
- A full mock exam right at the start, scored on the official scales, to identify the section that could make you fail.
- Get that section out of the danger zone before anything else.
- Work on the writing test through structure, not vocabulary: most lost points come from the plan, the genre and the instructions.
- Simulate the speaking test in real conditions, with the 30 minutes of preparation and someone deliberately contradicting you in the second part.
- Beware of out-of-date resources: always check the date of whatever you practise on.
Writing: what the examiner really assesses
One task, 60 minutes, 250 words minimum. The writing test is the third group section of the DELF B2, right after listening and reading — so you reach it after an hour and a half of the exam, a detail that matters for managing your energy. And since, in the reformed format, listening and reading are entirely multiple-choice, it is the only section in which you write before the speaking test: everything to do with written expression is played out there, on a single paper. It is the section where the gap between a good level of French and a good mark is widest — and what it takes can be learned much faster than a level of French.
Here lies the central misunderstanding. The topic asks for a personal position, and many candidates conclude that the relevance of their opinion is being judged. It isn’t: your opinion is neither right nor wrong. What is assessed is how you build it. In practice, five dimensions:
- Following the instructions and the genre. A formal letter with no greeting and no letter structure loses points before the first sentence is even assessed for language. It is the easiest point to secure, and the most often neglected.
- The structure of the argument. A clear position, ranked arguments, and above all taking the opposing objection into account. That is the marker of B2: at B1, you give your opinion; at B2, you defend it against an objection.
- Logical connectors. The most visible signal of your level, and the most rewarding to work on mechanically — a few hours are enough to build a solid repertoire.
- Register. An unnoticed slide into casual language is a frequent loss of points for candidates who speak French well day to day.
- Length. 250 words minimum. Below it, task completion is marked down, whatever the quality of the language.
None of these five dimensions is a vocabulary problem. That is the good news about this section: most lost points come from the plan, the genre and the instructions — things you can fix in a few sessions, not a few months.
The plan that works
There is no official set plan. But one structure meets every expectation of B2 and saves you from thinking about organisation on the day.
- Introduction (30–40 words). You restate what is at stake and announce your position. No suspense: at B2, the examiner must know where you are going from the first sentence.
- First argument (60–70 words). Your strongest reason, illustrated with a concrete example. An argument without an example remains an assertion.
- Second argument (60–70 words). A reason of a different kind from the first — if the first is economic, take a social or practical angle. Two arguments of the same type count as one.
- Concession and rebuttal (50–60 words). This is the paragraph that makes the difference. You acknowledge the strength of the opposing objection, then explain why it doesn’t overturn your position. Many papers leave it out entirely — and hit a ceiling.
- Conclusion (30–40 words). You restate your position and open up the topic, without introducing a new idea.
Total: about 250 to 280 words. The plan produces the expected length mechanically — but still count your words.
The three genres and what they require
| Genre | What it requires |
|---|---|
| Contribution to a debate forum, letters to the editor | Addressing a community, placing what you say within an ongoing exchange |
| Formal letter | Greeting, subject line, letter structure, sign-off, formal register kept up from start to finish |
| Critical article | A title, a hook, a journalistic tone — and a position you stand by |
The formal letter is where most points are lost for nothing, because the examiner can check its conventions mechanically. Learn them once: greeting, subject line, structured body, sign-off. They are yours for life and come up in almost every French exam.
The five most costly mistakes
- Writing fewer than 250 words. The penalty is on task completion, regardless of quality. Actually count your words — an estimate by eye is almost always optimistic.
- Leaving out the concession. Without taking the opposing objection into account, your paper remains a string of opinions, not a B2-level argument.
- Ignoring the genre asked for. An excellent argumentative text that should have been a formal letter loses structural points it can’t recover.
- Piling up arguments without linking them. Three correct ideas placed side by side are worth less than two ideas linked by an explicit progression.
- Skipping the final reread. Agreements, tenses and punctuation take five minutes to correct and cost dearly if they stay.
How to split the 60 minutes
| Time | What you do |
|---|---|
| 0–10 min | Analyse the instructions, identify the genre, set out the plan and the two arguments with their examples |
| 10–45 min | Write in one go, without going back |
| 45–52 min | Count the words, check that the concession is there and that the genre is respected |
| 52–60 min | Reread for language: agreements, tenses, punctuation, register |
The first ten minutes are counter-intuitive: it feels like wasted time. Yet it is the only moment when you can still change the structure of your paper without rewriting everything. A plan set out in ten minutes saves far more than ten minutes of writing.
Why this section is hard to prepare for on your own. You can’t judge whether your concession is real or merely announced, or whether your register has slipped — those are precisely the flaws that are invisible from the inside. And the gap between 9 and 13 out of 25, which often decides whether you pass, doesn’t show when you reread. That is what marking against the official criteria solves.
First, get out of the danger zone
Mock exams in the reformed DELF B2 format, scored on the official scale out of 25 per section with a warning when you fall below the minimum score, and AI feedback on writing and speaking against the official criteria. In the “TCF DELF TEF: Tests 2026” app.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
What score do you need to pass the DELF B2?
50 out of 100. The four sections are scored out of 25 each. Watch out for the rule that fails candidates whose average was enough: a score below 5 out of 25 in any single section means you fail, whatever your total — it is the only minimum per section, in the writing test as in the others.
Are the DELF B2 listening and reading questions multiple choice?
Yes, 100% since the reform. Open questions and true/false with justification have gone from both sections. So you no longer write anything in them — which changes how you manage your time, but also removes the chance of picking up points with a partly correct justification.
How many times do you hear the recordings in the DELF B2?
It depends on the exercise. The first two exercises, based on long radio documents, are played twice. The third, which strings together three short documents, is played only once. This asymmetry catches candidates out just when their concentration is already flagging.
How many words do you write in the DELF B2 writing test?
250 words minimum, in a single task, in 60 minutes. It is a floor, not a target: writing less costs you points on task completion, whatever the quality of your French. A five-part plan produces 250 to 280 words mechanically.
What kinds of DELF B2 writing topics come up?
Three genres: a contribution to a debate (a forum, letters to the editor), a formal letter or a critical article. In every case, the topic asks for a reasoned personal position. The formal letter is where most points are lost for nothing, by not following its conventions.
Does the examiner judge my opinion?
No. Your opinion is neither right nor wrong: what is assessed is how you build it — following the instructions and the genre, the structure of the argument, logical connectors, register and length. None of these is a vocabulary problem.
What is the difference between B1 and B2 in writing?
Taking the opposing objection into account. At B1, you give your opinion; at B2, you defend it against an objection you have first acknowledged. The concession-and-rebuttal paragraph is most often what makes the difference — and many papers leave it out entirely.
How should I split the 60 minutes of the writing test?
About 10 minutes to analyse the instructions and set out the plan, 35 minutes to write in one go, 7 minutes to check the length, the concession and the genre, and 8 minutes to reread for language. The first 10 minutes seem wasted, yet they are the only moment when you can still change the structure without rewriting everything.
Is there still a guided interview in the DELF B2 speaking test?
No, it was removed by the reform. The test now starts straight away with the sustained monologue, followed by the debate with the examiners. The warm-up that used to help you relax no longer exists at B2 — it does remain in the DELF B1.
Are the examiners supposed to agree with me?
No, and that is deliberate. In the second part of the speaking test, the examiners contradict you to test your ability to hold a position, to qualify it and to concede without giving in. Candidates who abandon their argument at the first objection lose points on the skill being assessed.
Where can I find official DELF B2 sample papers with answers?
On France Éducation international’s website, for free: two complete DELF B2 samples of the group papers — one per format of the listening and reading papers — each with the candidate document, the marker’s document with the answer keys, the listening transcript and the MP3 recordings, plus a speaking-test sample and the official writing and speaking grids. They are in French, like the exam.
Can I practise with old DELF B2 sample papers?
Check their source first. A paper that mentions a guided interview in the speaking test describes an exam that no longer exists. For listening and reading, though, two formats are still used in official sessions, so start with France Éducation international’s two official sample papers, one per format. The exercises on this page are original content from our app, in the reformed format.
Related pages
- DELF B2 exam: format, scoring, dates
The complete guide to the reformed format and the two thresholds.
- DALF C1: the synthesis of documents
The level above: reducing several documents to an objective text of 200 to 240 words.
- French citizenship: the B2 level
What has changed since 1 January 2026: B2 in speaking and in writing, the civics exam, the transitional rules.
Formats change. This page is up to date as of 7 August 2026 and describes the format that came out of the 2020 reform; corrected on 26 October 2026: France Éducation international uses two formats of listening and reading in official sessions. The exercises and topics shown are original content from our app. The official sample papers are described from France Éducation international’s DELF B2 sample papers page, checked on 26 October 2026. Check the current format on france-education-international.fr before your session.