A1Principiante

DELF A1: Complete preparation guide

The DELF A1 certifies beginner (discovery) level French according to the CEFR. It lasts 1h 20min and requires 50/100 overall with at least 5/25 per section. It proves you can introduce yourself, ask simple questions and understand everyday phrases. It requires 60-100 study hours and is a lifetime diploma recognised by the French Ministry of Education worldwide.

Total duration

1h 20min

4 papers

Pass mark

50/100

minimum 5/25 per paper

Study hours

60-100h

from scratch

Pass rate

~85 %

with preparation

Official DELF A1 structure

Test
Points
Description

Compréhension de l'oral

20 min

25
Four short audio clips with multiple-choice questions and brief answers.

Compréhension des écrits

30 min

25
Four simple documents (messages, notices, forms) with factual questions.

Production écrite

30 min

25
Complete a form and write simple sentences (40-60 words) about yourself.

Production orale

5-7 min

25
Guided interview, information exchange and role-play with prompt cards.
1h 20min50/100 overall and minimum 5/25 per paper

What you need to do at A1

Listening comprehension

I understand familiar words and common expressions when people speak slowly and clearly.

Strategy: Listen to slow audio with transcripts and repeat the dialogues aloud.

Reading comprehension

I understand familiar names, simple words and very basic sentences in notices and signs.

Strategy: Practise with real text messages, postcards and menus. Focus on overall meaning, not every word.

Written production

I write short postcards and fill in forms with personal details.

Strategy: Memorise model phrases: "Je m'appelle…", "J'habite à…", "J'aime…".

Oral production

I can introduce myself and talk about people I know if helped with wording.

Strategy: Record 1-minute answers. Use short sentences and basic connectors (et, mais).

Recommended study plan

Weeks 1-2

Alphabet and introductions

  • Numbers 0-100
  • Greetings and courtesy phrases
  • Introduce yourself in 60 seconds

Weeks 3-4

Daily life

  • Family and professions
  • Telling the time and days
  • Present tense of être and avoir

Weeks 5-6

Your surroundings

  • Home and rooms
  • Food and drinks
  • Present tense of -er verbs

Weeks 7-8

First mock exams

  • 1 full mock exam per week
  • Written production: 3 postcards
  • Record yourself speaking for 3 min

Key grammar for A1

Present tense of être and avoir

« Je suis étudiant. J'ai 25 ans. »

The two most frequent verbs in the exam.

Definite and indefinite articles

« le chien / un chien »

Learn the gender together with the article.

Cardinal numbers

« 1, 2, 3… 20, 21, 30, 40… 100 »

Practise dictation; numbers are common in the listening paper.

Questions with est-ce que

« Est-ce que vous parlez français ? »

The easiest and most natural question form at A1.

Essential vocabulary topics

Personal details

nomprénomâgenationalitéadressetéléphonecélibataire

Family

pèremèrefrèresœurenfantgrand-pèrecousin

City and transport

métrobusgarerueplacemuséehôtel

Food and drink

painfromageeaucafépommeviandepoisson

Common mistakes by English speakers

Mistake

Mixing up tu and vous in the opening question

Correct

Always use vous with the examiner; tu is reserved for friends and family.

Mistake

Forgetting closing phrases in postcards

Correct

Always end with "À bientôt" or "Bisous" + your name.

Mistake

Speaking too fast in the oral introduction

Correct

Speak slowly, clearly and with pauses. Clarity matters more than speed.

Cultural and strategic tips

  • In France you greet with "Bonjour" when entering a shop. Omitting it is considered rude.
  • The informal "tu" is only used with friends, family and children. With strangers always use "vous".
  • Names of months and days are written in lower case in French: lundi, janvier.

DELF A1 price by country

Spain

70-280 €

Mexico

1.500-4.500 MXN

Argentina

25.000-110.000 ARS

Colombia

280.000-750.000 COP

Peru

450-1.000 PEN

Approximate prices based on Alliance Française and France Éducation International. May vary between centres.

Comparison with other levels

Criteria
Previous
Current (A1)
Next
DELF A1
1h 20min · 50/100
DELF A2 · 1h 40min

DELF A1 preparation guides

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Students who passed the DELF A1

Empecé sin saber nada de francés y en 10 semanas con esta guía aprobé el DELF A1 con 78/100. La estructura día a día fue lo que más me ayudó.

Ana M. · MX

La sección de vocabulario A1 me pareció la más útil. Llegué al examen sintiéndome preparado de verdad, no como en las clases presenciales.

Diego R. · CO

Who is the DELF A1 for?

Complete beginners and learners with fewer than 6 months of French

Frequently asked questions about the DELF A1

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