DELF A2: Complete preparation guide
The DELF A2 validates elementary (survival) level French. It lasts 1h 40min and requires 50/100. It proves you can handle simple everyday tasks: shopping, using routine phrases at work, talking about your surroundings. It requires 180-280 cumulative hours and is needed for certain visas and jobs with basic French-speaking contact.
Total duration
1h 40min
4 papers
Pass mark
50/100
minimum 5/25 per paper
Hours from A1
100-180h
additional study
Pass rate
~78 %
with preparation
Official DELF A2 structure
Compréhension de l'oral
25 min
Compréhension des écrits
30 min
Production écrite
45 min
Production orale
6-8 min
What you need to do at A2
Listening comprehension
I understand instructions, announcements and simple conversations on everyday topics.
Strategy: Listen to short news segments on RFI Facile à Comprendre and note down 5 main ideas.
Reading comprehension
I read short texts on familiar topics and locate specific information.
Strategy: Practise skimming and scanning: read the title, first sentence, then hunt for data.
Written production
I write simple messages and letters on personal topics.
Strategy: Learn 10 formal and informal opening and closing phrases.
Oral production
I express myself on everyday topics and take part in simple exchanges.
Strategy: Prepare 1-minute personal stories about family, studies and travel.
Recommended study plan
Weeks 1-3
Past tense and routines
- Passé composé with être and avoir
- Daily routines
- Leisure vocabulary
Weeks 4-6
Narrating and describing
- Imparfait for descriptions
- Basic comparatives
- Describing places and people
Weeks 7-9
Expressing opinions and organising ideas
- Futur proche and futur simple
- Connectors (d'abord, ensuite, enfin)
- Expressing simple opinions
Weeks 10-12
Mock exams
- 2 full mock exams
- Corrected letters and messages
- Record yourself speaking 5 times
Key grammar for A2
Passé composé
« J'ai mangé une pomme. Elle est partie à Paris. »
Key rule: avoir (most verbs) or être (motion + reflexive verbs).
Imparfait
« Quand j'étais petit, j'habitais à Madrid. »
Past descriptions, routines and states.
Futur proche
« Je vais voyager demain. »
aller + infinitive. Very common in the speaking paper.
Direct and indirect object pronouns
« Je le vois. Je lui parle. »
They are placed before the conjugated verb.
Essential vocabulary topics
Work and studies
Health
Travel
Feelings
Common mistakes by English speakers
Mistake
Always using passé composé and never imparfait
Correct
Imparfait for descriptions and routines; passé composé for completed actions.
Mistake
Forgetting agreement of past participles with être
Correct
Elle est allée (+e), ils sont arrivés (+s). Always check agreement.
Mistake
Writing fewer than 60 words
Correct
Count at the end. Short texts lose marks automatically.
Cultural and strategic tips
- "Tu" is common among young people and colleagues. In the exam, always stick to "vous".
- In formal emails, avoid "Cordialement" with strangers: use "Salutations distinguées".
- Meals structure the French day: petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, goûter, dîner.
DELF A2 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
DELF A2 preparation guides
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Students who passed the DELF A2
Pasé del A1 al A2 en 3 meses gracias al plan de estudio. La producción oral era mi punto débil y lo superé con los simulacros semanales.
Carolina G. · ES
Los ejemplos de escritura DELF A2 marcaron la diferencia. Ver modelos corregidos me dio la confianza que necesitaba para el examen.
Luis F. · AR
Who is the DELF A2 for?
Learners with 1-2 years of French or who have completed level A1
Frequently asked questions about the DELF A2
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