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B1: your step toward independence in French

B1: your step toward independence in French

Discover the DELF B1: exam format, skills assessed, success criteria, and preparation tips. Get ready to certify your French level with confidence.

19 November 2025

You’re improving your French and want to confirm that you can communicate more independently? The DELF B1 is the perfect step!
In this article, discover what the DELF B1 is, why it is useful, how the exam works, and what you need to succeed.
This diploma proves that you can express yourself with more confidence and handle a wide range of everyday situations.

🎓 What is the DELF B1?

The DELF B1 (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française – level B1) corresponds to the “independent user – threshold level” of the CEFR.
At this stage, you can communicate with greater autonomy: you can talk about experiences, explain your opinions, justify your choices, deal with simple problems, and understand more detailed content such as short news articles or basic programmes.

💬 I choose the DELF B1 if I can…

  • talk about an event or personal experience

  • describe a plan, a goal, or a dream

  • give my opinion and support it with simple arguments

  • express my feelings, agreement or disagreement

  • understand basic news and everyday information

  • make suggestions, give advice, and express hypotheses

  • explain a point of view and convince someone about a familiar topic

👉 If this sounds like you, the DELF B1 is perfectly suited to your level!

🌍 Why take the DELF B1?

Taking the DELF B1 means:
• Obtaining an official, internationally recognised certification delivered by France Éducation International
• Proving your autonomy in French for personal, academic, or professional projects
• The B1 level is also required to obtain the 10-year residence permit (carte de résident), making it an essential step for many administrative procedures in France.
• Strengthening your CV or academic profile
• Preparing effectively for the more advanced B2 level, essential for studying or working in French

🧩 How does the exam work?

The DELF B1 evaluates the four main skills, each scored out of 25 points, for a total of 100 points.

Listening ( /25 )
You listen to recordings related to everyday situations or simple news topics: conversations, short interviews, announcements, testimonies.

Reading ( /25 )
You read various types of texts: short articles, emails, notices, practical information, and documents from the media.

Writing ( /25 )
You write a structured and coherent text: a letter, a simple essay, an argument, or an account of an experience.

Speaking ( /25 )
The test includes three parts: a guided interview, an interaction activity, and a short presentation where you give your opinion and justify it.

✅ Passing the DELF B1

To pass the exam:
• you must score at least 50 out of 100;
• and obtain at least 5/25 in each skill.

This ensures a balanced level in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

🌟 In summary

The DELF B1 confirms that you can communicate independently in French, express your opinions, handle everyday situations, and understand more detailed content.
It’s an official, recognised diploma that helps you progress toward advanced levels and supports important administrative or professional steps.


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