DELF B2 registration — 2026 sessions

The DELF B2 is the most in-demand level — required for French naturalisation (since 2024) and for admission to most French universities. Registration is 100% online, €150 per candidate, with monthly sessions in the Paris region (Île-de-France).

What is the DELF B2?

The DELF B2 certifies an advanced independent level of French. The candidate understands complex texts on concrete or abstract subjects, expresses themselves clearly and in detail, and defends a reasoned point of view. This is the "independent user" level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

It is the most in-demand official diploma for:

• French naturalisation (since the immigration law of 26 January 2024, the threshold rose from B1 to B2).
• Admission to French universities (bachelor's, master's, business school, engineering school).

Structure and duration of the 4 B2 exams

Minimum pass mark: 50/100 overall and 5/25 minimum per exam. A mark below 5 on any single exam leads to failure, even with an average above 50.

Written production (PE) in detail

Written production is the most decisive exam of the B2. In 1 hour, you must write a structured argumentative text of 250 words minimum from a set topic.

Typical format of a successful B2 written production, in 3 steps:

1. Introduction (30 words) — present the topic, state the issue, announce your position.
2. Development (180 words) — 2 main arguments, each illustrated by a concrete example. Use logical connectors (first, then, moreover, indeed, nevertheless…).
3. Conclusion (40 words) — quick summary + opening onto a broader question.

The 25 points are distributed approximately: 10 points on linguistic competence (grammar, vocabulary, spelling), 15 points on pragmatic competence (following the brief, coherence, cohesion, argumentation).

Oral production (PO) in detail

The oral production takes place in 3 phases after 30 min of individual preparation on a trigger document (a short article, 250 words max):

1. Presentation (5-7 min) — you identify the issue in the text and defend your point of view with 3 arguments.
2. Debate with the accredited examiner (8-10 min) — they contradict you or ask you to clarify. You must qualify, rephrase and defend your position without getting defensive.
3. Open questions (3-5 min) — peripheral questions on the theme to assess your spontaneity.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Neglecting the listening comprehension — the authentic B2 documents (radio debates, TV report extracts) are faster and denser than B1 ones. Train for them specifically.
• Writing too little in the written production — fewer than 250 words = automatic penalty of several points out of the 25 available.
• Lacking logical connectors in speech and writing — "and… and… and…" kills the cohesion score. Use: nevertheless, on the other hand, moreover, whereas, so that, etc.
• Getting defensive when the examiner challenges you in the oral — the examiner is testing your ability to nuance, not your certainty. Answer calmly, and admit the limits of your argument if needed.
• Forgetting an exam — getting 4.5/25 in reading comprehension while scoring 22/25 everywhere else still makes you fail (the 5/25 minimum-per-exam rule).

3-month preparation plan

For a candidate who already has a solid grasp of B1:

Key vocabulary to master at B2

B2 requires a distinctly richer vocabulary than B1. Prioritise these 5 lexical fields (covered by the recurring topics):

• Society and citizenship — inequality, precariousness, discrimination, equal opportunity, social cohesion, secularism, mobilisation, demand.
• Environment — biodiversity, carbon footprint, renewable energy, ecological transition, global warming, waste, circular economy.
• Education — dropping out of school, meritocracy, continuing education, work-study, guidance, illiteracy, lifelong learning.
• Technology and digital — algorithm, artificial intelligence, cyberbullying, personal data, digital divide, disinformation, sovereignty.
• Work — remote working, flexibility, job insecurity, trade union, strike, unemployment, career change, burnout at work.

Round this out with a stock of 20-30 logical connectors and 10 nuanced opinion phrases ("it seems to me that…", "one could argue that…", "it nonetheless remains the case that…") that you can place naturally.

Am I ready for the DELF B2?

This level is right for you if you can already do most of the following:

• express myself clearly, even on complex topics;
• use a broad vocabulary and vary my phrasing to avoid repetition;
• give detailed descriptions, present my point of view, and build an argument;
• defend ideas, explain cause-effect relationships, and reason logically;
• understand more structured and abstract texts;
• communicate spontaneously and comfortably with native speakers.

Frequently asked questions — DELF B2

How do I register for the DELF B2 exam?

From the GoDELF home page, select a B2 session, complete your application (civil status, ID document, photo) and pay online by bank card. Your candidate account is created automatically. The official convocation reaches you by email 2 to 3 weeks before the exam.

How much is DELF B2 registration in 2026?

The DELF B2 fee is €150 in 2026, the same for everyone. This price includes sitting all 4 exams, marking by accredited France Éducation International examiners, publication of the result and the issuing of the official diploma. Partner schools and associations pay the same fee and have access to a group-management area.

What are the DELF B2 exam dates in 2026?

Our DELF B2 sessions are held every month except in April and September. The up-to-date list of dates open for registration can be viewed in real time on the GoDELF home page, filterable by level and by month.

Where can I sit the DELF B2 in the Paris region (Île-de-France)?

Centre Zenith, located at 50 rue de Pontoise in Bezons (95870), runs the DELF B2 every month except April and September. Access by tram T2 (Pont de Bezons stop, 3 min on foot), or by RER A to Houilles Carrières-sur-Seine then bus 6 or 37.

What is the minimum mark to pass the DELF B2?

The minimum pass mark is 50/100, with a threshold of 5/25 on each of the 4 exams. If any single exam stays below 5/25, the candidate fails even if their average is above 50 — this eliminatory rule is specific to the 4 skills.

How long does it take to prepare for the DELF B2?

A candidate who has mastered B1 generally aims for B2 after 200 to 300 additional hours of French, i.e. 6 to 12 months of regular preparation. Allow more if your B1 is shaky. A 3-month preparation plan is offered further down if you are already solid at B1.

Is the DELF B2 compulsory for French naturalisation?

Since the immigration law of 26 January 2024, the DELF B2 is the minimum level required for French nationality by decree (previously B1). The B2-level TCF-IRN is also accepted.

Does the DELF B2 give access to French universities?

Yes, the DELF B2 is the level generally required for admission to a bachelor's or master's degree at French universities and business/engineering schools. Some selective programmes require the DALF C1. The DELF-DALF exempts you from any later French test, unlike the TCF-DAP which remains valid for only 2 years.

What happens if I fail the DELF B2?

If you fail, you can re-register for a later session as many times as necessary. Each attempt is a new registration (separate payment). Marks from exams already passed are not carried over: you retake the whole exam.

Is the DELF B2 diploma valid for life?

Yes. The DELF, like the DALF, is an official diploma of the French Ministry of National Education, valid for life once obtained. Unlike the TCF or TEF tests (certificates valid for 2 years), the DELF B2 diploma never expires.

Can I sit the DELF B2 online?

No. The exam must be taken in person at an accredited centre. Only registration is online, via GoDELF. The 3 collective exams (CO, CE, PE) are held on the same day; the oral production is scheduled separately on an individual time slot.

Which ID document do I need for the DELF B2?

A valid photo ID: national identity card, passport, residence permit or driving licence. The name and date of birth on the document must match those of your registration exactly — correct them before the exam if necessary.

How long does it take to receive my DELF B2 diploma?

The pass certificate is published within 4 to 6 weeks after the collective session. The official diploma printed by France Éducation International is then available several weeks to a few months after the certificate — to be collected directly at the centre.

How to register for the DELF B2

1. From the GoDELF home page, select the B2 session that suits you.
2. Complete your application: civil status, ID document, photo — your candidate account is created automatically.
3. Pay the €150 online by bank card — registration confirmed immediately.
4. Receive your official convocation by email 2 to 3 weeks before the session.
5. On the day: arrive 30 min early with your original ID document.