French Exams: DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF Compared

French exams: diplomas for life, tests for a deadline

French certification falls into two families. The DELF and DALF are diplomas: you pass a level and keep it for life. The TCF and TEF are tests: everyone takes the same paper, gets a level from A1 to C2, and the result is valid for a limited time. All are issued under the French Ministry of Education or the Paris Chamber of Commerce.

Short answer: for French universities, DELF B2 or DALF C1 (or a TCF). For Canadian or French immigration, the TEF or TCF, depending on the programme. For a lasting qualification, DELF or DALF. Check current requirements with the institution before booking.

The four exams compared

All four use the six CEFR levels (the Common European Framework of Reference), from A1, beginner, to C2, mastery. The real difference is what you get: a diploma at one level you choose, or a test score that places you on the scale.

Choose DELF or DALF for a lasting qualification; choose TCF or TEF when an institution asks for a recent score, as French universities, nationality applications and Canadian immigration do.

DELFA1–B2 Diplôme d’études en langue française

Type: diploma, one level per exam
Valid: for life
For: university entry (B2), lasting proof of level

DALFC1–C2 Diplôme approfondi de langue française

Type: diploma, one level per exam
Valid: for life
For: advanced study, teaching, demanding jobs

TCFA1–C2 Test de connaissance du français

Type: test: one paper, result gives a level
Valid: usually two years
For: French university applications, French nationality, Canadian immigration

TEFA1–C2 Test d’évaluation de français

Type: test: one paper, result gives a level
Valid: usually two years
For: Canadian and Quebec immigration, French nationality

What each DELF and DALF level asks you to do

Choose a level to see the typical tasks. Each level is a separate exam; you can start at any level.

ListeningInterviews, reports and lectures.

ReadingArgued articles and informative texts.

WritingAn argued letter or article of about 250 words.

SpeakingDefend an opinion from a short article, then debate with the examiner.

Try a mock exam at your level

Each mock has one task of every paper type: reading, listening with audio, grammar marked instantly with word-by-word explanations, a writing task with a model answer, and speaking prompts.

B1DELF B1 →A language café notice and a voicemail B2DELF B2 →Remote work and rising rents C1DALF C1 →An essay on patience, a talk on bilingualism C2DALF C2 →A Breton memory and a radio debate

Preparing with Evolang

Skill	What examiners reward	Guides
Listening	Catching the gist before details; recognising spoken shortcuts.	Listening Spoken French
Reading	Understanding argument and nuance, not just vocabulary.	Graded reading Connectors
Writing	A clear plan, varied connectors, correct register and agreement.	Writing practice Nominalisation
Speaking	Structured opinion, natural interaction, appropriate register.	Register Subjunctive

Phrases for the oral exam

The DELF B2 and DALF oral exams ask you to present a document and defend a view. These frames give your answer a clear structure. Every word has its English meaning underneath.

Introducing

Lethedocumentdocumenttraitedealsdewith…(topic)

luh doh-kü-MAHN TRET duh …“The document deals with …”Opens the presentation by naming the topic.

Problem

Lathequestionquestionquiwhichseitselfposeposesestislathesuivante :following

lah kes-TYON kee suh POHZ ay lah swee-VAHNT“The question that arises is this: …”Examiners expect a problématique: one clear question your talk answers.

Plan

Dansinunapremierfirsttemps,timeensuite,then

dahn-zuhn pruh-MYAY TAHN … ahn-SWEET“First, … then, …”Announce two or three parts before you start; the plan is marked.

Opinion

Pourformamypart,partjeIpensethinkquethat

poor mah PAR, zhuh PAHNS kuh …“Personally, I think that …”Penser que takes the indicative; ne pas penser que takes the subjunctive.

Nuance

Ilitfautis-necessarytoutefoishowevernuancerto-qualifycethispoint.point

eel foh toot-FWAH nü-ahn-SAY suh PWAN“This point needs some nuance, however.”Showing nuance is what separates B2 from C1.

Buying time

C’estit-isuneaquestionquestionintéressante.interestingVoyons…let’s-see

say-tün kes-TYON an-tay-reh-SAHNT. vwah-YON“That’s an interesting question. Let’s see…”A natural pause while you plan your answer.

Reacting

JeIcomprendsunderstandvotreyourpoint de vue,point-of-viewmaisbut

zhuh kom-PRAHN vot-ruh pwan duh VÜ, meh …“I understand your point of view, but …”Polite disagreement with the examiner, using vous.

Concluding

Pourtoconclure,conclude

poor kon-KLÜR …“To conclude, …”Sum up your answer to the question in one or two sentences.

Written exam phrases: opinion and argument

DELF B1–B2 writing tasks ask for a letter, an article or an opinion essay. These frames earn marks for structure.

Opening an opinion

À mon avis,in my opinion……

a mon na-VYEE · “In my opinion, …”Why: Also: Selon moi, Personnellement.

Balancing

D’un côtéon one side… ,…de l’autreon the other……

dan ko-TAY … duh LOTR · “On the one hand … on the other …”Why: Shows a nuanced argument.

Formal letter

Je vous écrisI to-you writeau sujet deabout……

zhuh voo zay-KREE oh sü-ZHAY duh · “I am writing to you about …”Why: The standard first line of a formal letter.

Concluding

En conclusion,in conclusionil me semble queit seems to me that……

an kon-klü-ZYON, eel muh SANBL kuh · “In conclusion, it seems to me that …”Why: il me semble que softens a final opinion.