The DELE A2 (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language, Level A2) is an exam created by the Instituto Cervantes to certify the Spanish proficiency of non-native speakers. This test follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which categorizes language abilities into six levels, with A2 representing a basic level. In this exam, candidates must demonstrate that they can understand and use common everyday expressions, engage in simple conversations, and express basic needs.
The DELE A2 exam consists of different sections that assess various language skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression and interaction. Each part of the test is structured with specific tasks, time limits, and scoring criteria, which are explained in detail below.
Important! Make sure to fill in your answers only on the answer sheet and not in the exam booklet provided.
1. Reading Comprehension
Purpose of the Task: Assess the candidate’s ability to understand basic written texts, such as advertisements, letters, emails, brochures, and similar materials.
Structure and Question Format:
The reading comprehension section includes 4 exercises, totaling 25 questions, with a time limit of 60 minutes.
Task 1:
The candidate must answer 5 multiple-choice questions. After reading a text, they need to identify key details and choose the correct answer from three options (A, B, or C).
Sample Question:
Lee el siguiente aviso de una tienda y responde: ¿A qué hora cierra la tienda los domingos?
- a) 8:00 p.m.
- b) 6:00 p.m.
- c) 10:00 p.m.
Task 2:
The candidate reads 8 short announcements and responds to 8 multiple-choice questions (A, B, C).
Sample Question:
En el anuncio se dice que…
- Se vende piso.
- Se alquila piso.
- Se comparte piso.
Task 3:
Candidates must read 3 texts and match them to 6 given statements or questions.
Sample Question:
¿Quién ha viajado al extranjero?
Relacionar con 3 textos de 3 personas llamadas Marisa, Elisa y Juan. Es decir, hay que indicar cuál de estas 3 personas ha tenido esa experiencia. (Match this statement to one of the three texts written by Marisa, Elisa, and Juan. The goal is to determine which of the three people had this experience.)
Task 4:
Candidates answer 6 multiple-choice questions. After reading a text, they must extract key details and select the correct answer from three options (A, B, or C).
Sample Activity: Vas a leer el blog de Historias de Madrid de Manuel García. Contesta a las siguientes preguntas sobre el texto.
Example: En el texto se dice que, gracias al blog, Manuel…
a) Se ha hecho famoso.
b) Gana bastante dinero.
c) Conoce sitios especiales.
Typical Tasks in This Section:
The texts are generally concise and related to daily situations, including advertisements, emails, or instruction manuals. The candidate needs to show their ability to recognize the main idea and extract specific details from the texts.
2. Listening Comprehension
Task Objective: Evaluate the ability to understand audio recordings of everyday conversations in Spanish, focusing on information related to typical daily situations.
Structure and Question Format:
The listening comprehension section includes 4 exercises with a total of 25 questions, and candidates have 40 minutes to complete it. The audio recordings are played twice to give the candidate an opportunity to better grasp the information.
Tasks 1 and 2
Six conversations are played, and the candidate must answer 6 questions, each with three possible options. The difference between the two tasks is that in Task 1, the answer choices (A, B, C) are images, so the candidate must select one of the three images provided. In Task 2, instead of images, the candidate must choose from a given phrase.
Task 3:
Listen to a conversation between two people and match 6 statements to the person who said them, identifying whether it was the man, the woman, or neither.
Task 4:
Listen to 7 short messages and match them to 7 out of 10 available options. Watch out! There will always be 3 extra options, which may be misleading and cause confusion.
Typical Tasks in This Section:
The audio recordings feature simple conversations between two or more people in common situations, such as requesting information in a store, booking a reservation, or organizing weekend plans. The spoken texts are clear and uncomplicated, without complex sentences.
3. Written Expression and Interaction
Objective of the Task: Evaluate the candidate’s ability to write clear and simple texts, using basic grammar and suitable vocabulary to communicate ideas about everyday topics.
Structure and Task Types:
The candidate has 45 minutes to complete two writing tasks: one focused on interaction and the other on written expression.
Task 1:
The candidate is required to read a brief text and write a response of 60 to 70 words. The texts are typically: notes, letters, emails, or postcards.
For instance, the candidate might need to write a letter or email, such as inviting a friend to an event or replying to a request.
Example of Task:
Tu amigo te escribe un email preguntándote qué vais a hacer el fin de semana. Responde a tu amigo escribiendo un correo electrónico a un amigo para invitarlo a ir a ver una película en el cine. Debes incluir: el día, la hora, el lugar y una breve descripción de lo que van a hacer (qué película o películas podéis ver).
Task 2:
Write a brief text of 70 to 80 words. The candidate must choose one of two options.
One option is a text about everyday life, while the other requires writing a narrative or biographical text based on photos or provided information.
Example of Task:
Opción 1: Describe cómo es tu ciudad. Menciona al menos tres lugares que te gustan mucho y explica por qué.
Opción 2: Escribe sobre un fin de semana que recuerdes bien. ¿Qué hiciste? ¿Con quién? ¿Cómo te sentiste?
Tips for This Section:
Make sure to structure your text with an introduction, main content, and conclusion. Use straightforward sentences and vocabulary appropriate for the A2 level. Be sure to proofread for spelling and grammar errors before submitting your work.
4. Oral Expression and Interaction
Task Objective: Assess the ability to engage in a simple conversation in everyday situations. The candidate should be able to answer questions, express ideas clearly, and maintain a smooth interaction, albeit with simple sentences.
The test consists of 3 tasks: two focused on expression and one on interaction. The duration is 12 minutes (with an additional 12 minutes for preparation before the test). During the preparation time, the candidate can take notes, make outlines, etc., to organize their ideas. However, these notes should not be read entirely during the test; they are meant to help the candidate stay on track and can be briefly consulted during the test.
Before beginning Task 1, some questions are typically asked to help the candidate relax and reduce initial nervousness. For example:
¿De qué ciudad vienes? ¿Hace mucho tiempo que estudias español? ¿Dónde lo has aprendido?
These questions never count towards the evaluation.
Task 1:
Deliver a brief monologue lasting 2 to 3 minutes. You must choose one of the two provided options.
Example of Task: Un viaje que has hecho. Has de hablar sobre: a dónde fuiste de viaje y por qué. Cuanto tiempo duró el viaje, con quién fuiste y dónde te alojaste. En qué medio de transporte fuiste y por qué. Contar alguna historia que te pasó durante el viaje y si vas a viajar pronto: cuándo, a dónde y por qué.
Task 2:
Describe a photograph in 2 to 3 minutes. You will choose one of the two available options.
Example of Image: A photo of a family celebrating a birthday.
In most tasks, you are asked to describe what you see in the photo, the appearance of the people, the objects present, the setting, the relationship between the people in the photo, what they might be thinking, saying, or feeling, as well as what they have done previously or what they plan to do next.
Task 3:
Engage in a dialogue based on an imaginary situation. This situation is typically connected to the theme of the photograph described in Task 2. Time: 3-4 minutes.
Example of Image: It’s your mother’s birthday, and you and your brother are planning a surprise party. Discuss the details with your brother (the examiner).
You need to talk about: the time and location of the party, whether you’ll invite others and who they are, what food and drinks to offer, and what gift you plan to buy.
Tips for the Oral Test:
Speak clearly and use simple sentences. The key is not to speak in a very complex way, but to be able to communicate effectively and fluently. Practicing with friends or classmates can help a lot in gaining confidence.
5. Scoring
Each of the tests is graded on a scale from 0 to 25 points, with a total of 100 possible points. To pass the exam, the candidate must score at least 60 points, distributed as follows:
- Reading Comprehension: 25 points
- Listening Comprehension: 25 points
- Written Expression: 25 points
- Oral Expression and Interaction: 25 points
Each task is scored based on the following criteria:
Reading Comprehension: The ability to understand straightforward texts and extract key information.
Listening Comprehension: The ability to recognize and understand important details in simple conversations.
Written Expression: The ability to write clear, cohesive texts that are suitable for the given communicative context.
Oral Expression and Interaction: The ability to hold a simple conversation, responding logically and clearly.
6. Conclusion
The DELE A2 exam is a great way to certify your basic Spanish skills and is perfect for those who want to prove their ability to communicate simple ideas in everyday situations. With the right preparation, which includes practicing all the evaluated skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), you can achieve a strong performance in the exam.
Keep in mind that consistent practice and getting familiar with the types of tasks and questions you might face during the exam are key to success. With the proper approach and preparation, passing the DELE A2 is definitely within reach.
To check available exam dates, access exam guides, sample models, and more details about the DELE A2, visit the Instituto Cervantes website.
Also, if you need support to prepare for your exam and become familiar with the tasks outlined in this guide, you can join our group DELE A2 preparation courses. Alternatively, if you prefer a more personalized pace, you can sign up for our private Spanish lessons, where we’ll assist you in preparing for your exam and reviewing the key grammar at the A2 level.
Best of luck with your DELE A2 exam preparation!
