How to Prepare for DELF B1 & B2 (2025 Guide): Formats, 8-Week Plans

Sazzadur Rahman
Sep 13
7 min read

DELF B1 and B2 each have four papers—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—marked /25 each. You pass with ≥50/100 overall and ≥5/25 in every paper. Durations: B1 ≈ Listening 25′, Reading 45′, Writing 45′, Speaking 15′ (+ 10′ prep). B2 ≈ Listening 30′, Reading 60′, Writing 60′, Speaking 20′ (+ 30′ prep). These figures and scoring rules come straight from FEI, the exam owner. According to France Éducation international, each paper is worth 25 points and candidates must score at least 50/100 overall with a minimum of 5/25 per paper; B1 and B2 durations are listed on the official exam pages.

We wrote this guide to make your DELF journey simple: understand the format, follow an 8-week plan, use plug-and-play writing and speaking frameworks, and take a realistic mock before test day. When you’re ready to turn practice into results, we can coach you in London or online worldwide.

Exam at a glance (B1 vs B2)

Level	Papers	Duration	What to expect
DELF B1	Listening (25/25) • Reading (25/25) • Writing (25/25) • Speaking (25/25)	Listening 25′ • Reading 45′ • Writing 45′ • Speaking 15′ (+ 10′ prep)	Oral = 3 parts (guided interview, opinion monologue, interaction). Pass rule: ≥50/100 overall and ≥5/25 in each paper.
DELF B2	Listening • Reading • Writing • Speaking	Listening 30′ • Reading 60′ • Writing 60′ • Speaking 20′ (+ 30′ prep)	Oral = present & defend an opinion from a prompt; sustained argument + cross-questions. Pass rule identical.

Why you may see small differences online. FEI currently disseminates two official formats for Listening and Reading, varying in number/length of documents and question styles; neither format confers an advantage. That’s why timings and layouts can look slightly different across sample sets and centers. According to FEI’s “Exemples de sujets” pages for B1 and B2, both formats are used in official sessions.

What the exam really tests (and how to score)

Listening. At B1, you’ll handle everyday topics; at B2, you confront longer, denser audio (talks, interviews) and must capture gist → detail quickly. Practical skills: mapping the questions before the audio, noting keywords, and answering while listening. Official B2 packs show two listenings (2×, 1×) and max audio length around 8 minutes across documents. According to FEI’s sample PDFs, the B2 listening comprises two recorded documents with specified play counts and a 30′ test time.
Reading. You’ll need scanning (find), skimming (understand), and close reading (interpret). At B2, expect arguments, viewpoints, and implicit meaning.
Writing. B1 = clear opinion or functional writing (email/article) with basic connectors. B2 = argued essay/letter (thesis, 2–3 arguments, concession, conclusion). We recommend a 10′ plan → 40′ write → 10′ revise split at B2 to protect coherence, register, and accuracy. FEI’s candidate manual for B2 stresses a structured, evidence-backed viewpoint. According to the FEI B2 candidate manual, you present and defend a clear position with arguments and examples; examiners use specific grids.Speaking. B1 (15′ + 10′ prep) blends warm-up, monologue d’opinion (5–7′), and interaction. B2 (20′ + 30′ prep) asks you to present and then defend your stance; effective candidates anticipate counter-arguments and manage follow-ups with polite control. FEI’s official pages confirm the oral structure and prep times. According to FEI, B1 oral lasts 15 minutes with 10 minutes of preparation; B2 oral lasts 20 minutes with 30 minutes of preparation.

Scoring reality. Because you must avoid any <5/25 paper, smart prep raises your weakest skill while maintaining a solid ceiling in your best ones.

Our 8-week study plan (B1 & B2 tracks side-by-side)

Who it’s for: busy learners who can commit 30–60 minutes/day. Keep a single error log and one connectors list throughout.

Weeks 1–2 — Foundations & timing habits

B1 focus: présent, passé composé vs imparfait, near future, modal expressions; connectors like d’abord, ensuite, cependant, en conclusion.
B2 focus: plus-que-parfait, conditionnel (présent/passé), subjonctif triggers (bien que, afin que, pour que, quoique), complexe sentence linking (néanmoins, en revanche, par ailleurs, de plus).
Listening/Reading habit (both): 3 short listening sets + 2 reading sets/week under strict time. Use FEI’s B1/B2 official examples to calibrate. According to FEI’s “Exemples de sujets” pages, you can download full candidate packs with audios and evaluation grids.

Weeks 3–4 — Input volume & note-taking

Listening: practise question mapping (underline key words, predict synonyms), answer during first listen, confirm on second (if provided).
Reading: rotate skimming first (30–60 seconds per text) → scan questions → close read.
Writing warm-ups: B1—short functional emails; B2—mini-paragraphs that argue one point with evidence.

Weeks 5–6 — Production push (writing + speaking)

B1 writing: 2 tasks/week (e.g., courriel de demande, article d’opinion).
B2 writing: 2 essays/week (argument + formal letter). PEEL framework (Point–Evidence–Explanation–Link).
Speaking:
- B1: PREP (Point–Reason–Example–Point) for the opinion monologue; simulate the 10′ prep.
- B2: 30′ prep outline (thesis, 2–3 arguments, counter-argument + concession, conclusion).
Live correction: we recommend one tutor-marked writing and one mock oral each week to address grammar, register, and argumentation in real time.

Week 7 — Full mocks & exam behaviors

One full timed paper (group tests) with strict durations.
Two orals (B1: 15′ + 10′ prep; B2: 20′ + 30′ prep) with cross-question drills.
Reflexes: clarify when needed (si je comprends bien…), concede strategically (je reconnais que… toutefois…), close with a clear stance.

Week 8 — Last mile

Targeted micro-drills on error log patterns (agreement, verb sequence, connectors).
One full listening + reading under the second official format to ensure adaptability. According to FEI, two comprehension formats circulate in official sessions; practising both removes surprises on test day.
Light day before the exam (sleep, review connectors, essay outlines).

Ready-to-use templates (copy/paste + adapt)

B1 opinion article (≈160–180 words)

Introduction: context + clear stance (À mon avis, il est essentiel de…).
Paragraph 1: main idea + personal example.
Paragraph 2 (mini-concession): acknowledge the other view, then refute.
Conclusion: summary + recommendation/action.

Core connectors: d’abord, ensuite, cependant, en revanche, donc, en conclusion.

B2 argued essay/letter (≈250+ words)

Intro: hook + problématique + announced plan.
Dev 1 & 2: argument → evidence (stat, example, source) → mini-conclusion.
Counter-argument: present the strongest objection; concede one point; refute with stronger ground.
Conclusion: restate thesis + practical recommendation.

Core connectors (upgrade): néanmoins, par ailleurs, de surcroît, en somme, afin que (+ subj.), bien que (+ subj.), quoique (+ subj.).

Examiner expectations. FEI’s grids reward task completion, coherence, lexico-grammatical range/accuracy, and pronunciation/interaction—so structure and register matter as much as accuracy. According to FEI’s B1/B2 pages, candidate packs include official evaluation grids and descriptors.

How long will it take to be “ready”?

If you’re around A2→B1 or B1→B2, an 8-week plan with 5–6 hours/week plus weekly live feedback is a solid baseline. Faster results are possible with daily short sessions (25–40 minutes) and one mock oral per week. The non-negotiable: practise under real timings listed by FEI for your level. According to FEI’s official pages, B1 and B2 timings are fixed per paper, with separate oral preparation windows (10′ at B1, 30′ at B2).

Official resources (bookmark these)

FEI—DELF B1 official page (format, timings, pass rules, examples, candidate manual). According to FEI, B1 papers are 25/25 each; pass mark is 50/100 with ≥5/25 per paper; speaking lasts 15′ with 10′ prep.
FEI—DELF B2 official page (format, timings, pass rules, examples, candidate manual). According to FEI, B2 papers are 25/25; pass mark is 50/100 with ≥5/25; speaking lasts 20′ with 30′ prep.
FEI—Examples & audio (B1 and B2) including two comprehension formats and the evaluation grids used by examiners. According to FEI’s example pages, both comprehension formats are in official circulation.
FEI—B2 Candidate Manual (deep dive into oral structure and assessment). According to FEI’s manual, B2 oral centers on presenting and defending a well-argued position.

Common pitfalls (and how we fix them fast)

Under-planning writing. Ten minutes of planning saves points in coherence and task achievement. We force a 3-part plan before typing a word.
Speaking drift. Answer the question asked, then expand. Practise turn-taking: Permettez-moi de préciser…, Si je comprends bien, vous dites que…
Timing panic. We train under both FEI comprehension formats so you’re unflappable regardless of booklet style. According to FEI, both formats appear in official sessions and neither is advantageous.
Grammar traps. B1: agreement, imparfait vs passé composé. B2: subjonctif after set phrases, sequence of tenses, register markers (vous-vouvoiement, formality in letters).

Checklist for exam week

One full Listening + Reading under the other format than you practised most.
One Writing (B1: 160–180 words; B2: 250+ words) and one mock Oral (timed, with prep).
Quick review of connectors, letter layouts, and oral openers/closers.
Logistics: ID, water, layers; know the oral prep time that applies to your level. According to FEI, B1 prep is 10 minutes; B2 prep is 30 minutes.

Work with us (London & online): sprints that actually move the dial

We’re Gaëlle & French Tutors—a London-based team of native tutors. We turn materials like FEI’s samples into speaking confidence and exam scores:

B1 Sprint (4 weeks): 4× speaking labs • 2 marked writings • 1 full mock (with score report).
B2 Accelerator (8 weeks): weekly mock oral • weekly essay marking • strategy clinics.
Quick win add-on: 48-hour essay marking with annotated feedback + corrected model.

Book a free consultation (in person across London or online worldwide). We’ll assess your level, pick the right templates, and map a plan you can stick to.

FAQs

What is the DELF pass mark for B1/B2?

50/100 overall and ≥5/25 in each paper. A score below 5 in any paper is eliminatory, even if your total is 50+. According to FEI’s official pages, each paper is /25 and the pass rule is 50/100 with 5/25 minimum.

How long is the DELF B2 speaking exam?

20 minutes plus 30 minutes of preparation time. According to FEI’s B2 page, the oral has two parts (monologue suivi + interaction) and specific prep time.

How is DELF B1 speaking structured?

15 minutes with 10 minutes of preparation: guided interview, opinion monologue, interaction. According to FEI’s B1 page, the oral is a 3-part exam.

Why do Listening/Reading formats differ between practice sets?

FEI currently uses two official comprehension formats (different lengths and question styles). That’s normal—and neither format gives an advantage. According to FEI’s example pages (B1/B2), both formats are used in official sessions.

Where can I download official sample papers with audio?

From FEI’s Exemples de sujets pages for B1 and B2, which include candidate booklets, audio and transcripts, and evaluation grids. According to FEI, these resources are designed for effective preparation.