Plan and register in advance
Because the DELF can only be taken four times a year, preparation is essential (unless you want to travel to another country and take it there, of course). So please do your homework and find the test dates beforehand.
After registering, create a study schedule for DALF TESTS online. Your everyday activities must center on the exam starting this day. Give yourself at least one and a half hours per day to prepare, but bear in mind that this is the absolute minimum. I spent two to three hours a day studying. You have to study a lot because there isn't much connectivity between what is examined in French language exams and what you can actually use French for in daily life. Even if you speak French well, you would still need to study for the DELF B2 exam. Otherwise, you run the danger of failing it, believe it or not. (However, passing the test does not guarantee fluency, "working competency," or whatever you choose to call it. Even if your DELF is perfect, you could find it difficult to order a cup of coffee at Charles de Gaulle Airport.)
Understand the format of the DELF B2 exam
Making every effort to comprehend the test itself is the first step in preparing for the DELF B2 exam.
(Different test formats are available for various proficiency levels. The CIEP website can be used to familiarise yourself with the format of the A2, B1, C1, or C2 tests.)
Examining for the B2 lasts up to 3,5 hours. This span of time consists of a 2.5-hour written portion and an hour-long speaking portion.
The order of the sections on the DELF B2 exam is exact, but you still have considerable discretion over the reading and writing portions. You might decide to do your essay first, followed by all of the readings, for instance. Finally, you have access to the answer sheet for the entire test.
Understand the grading-passing scheme
DELF has several unusual standards for evaluation (at least when compared to other language tests, like IELTS).
The entire exam has a total score out of 100. The exam's components are each worth 25 points. You must fulfill two requirements in order to pass DELF B2 and receive your diploma:
- receive at least 5 points for each exam section;
- receive at least 50 out of a possible 100 points.
It is, therefore, not a good idea to focus on your best component and use the score to make up for your weaknesses.
Unless it's not.
Know your weakest point
Let's revisit my illustration. Any language test's speaking portion is my main source of anxiety, headaches, and general unease. I'll put it this way: I know I'm going to struggle with this section. However, since reading and writing are often my greatest subjects, I don't have any concerns in this area. So you must know about your weak areas. If you don't know, examine and work on them.
What is the most effective preparation method for DELF B2 given these limitations? My strategy looked like this:
Ensure that You receive at least 5 points for speaking (so that I don't entirely flunk the test).
Be sure to achieve the highest reading and writing scores possible (to compensate for the points lost in speaking).
To improve your listening skills, practice.
The DALF French Exam Preparation course is a comprehensive program that covers all four language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Imlanguages.com provides a complete DALF diploma by French Ministry Course currently accessible.
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