How the DELF A1 100 marks split
| Section | French name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Compréhension de l’oral | /25 |
| Reading | Compréhension des écrits | /25 |
| Writing | Production écrite | /25 |
| Speaking | Production orale | /25 |
| TOTAL | /100 |
The two conditions you must satisfy
France Éducation international awards the DELF A1 diploma when both conditions are met simultaneously. Failing either one — even if the other is comfortably cleared — means no diploma, and you must re-sit the entire exam. There is no section-by-section re-take.
- **Overall score ≥ 50/100.** The straightforward part. Averaging 12.5/25 per section clears this line.
- **Every section ≥ 5/25.** The elimination floor. Score 4/25 or below on any single section and the diploma is withheld even if your total is 70/100.
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Worked examples: pass vs fail
| Candidate | L | R | W | S | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 55 | PASS (all above 5, total above 50) |
| B | 23 | 20 | 18 | 4 | 65 | FAIL — Speaking below 5/25 despite strong total |
| C | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 36 | FAIL — total below 50/100 |
| D | 5 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 50 | PASS — total exactly 50, all sections at or above 5 |
What the section scores mean
5–9/25 is the fail band — inadequate CEFR A1 command on that skill. 10–15/25 is a functional A1 pass but nothing more. 16–20/25 signals solid A1 with headroom into early A2. 21–25/25 shows near-perfect A1 command; candidates in this band should be considering DELF A2 within 2–3 months.
Because A1 is the entry-level diploma, most candidates cluster in the 12–17 band per section. The 4/25 fail cases are almost always Production Orale — candidates who prepared for reading and writing at home but never rehearsed the spoken tasks under time pressure.
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How results are delivered and validity
You receive per-section scores plus the total. Results ship 4–6 weeks after the exam session, first as an attestation de réussite (email PDF) then the full diploma (posted, up to 3 months). Once earned, the diploma has no expiry — DELF certifications are lifelong.
You can request an appeal (recours) within 60 days of the result if you believe a section was misscored, but the appeal fee is non-refundable and success rates are low (~5%). The more reliable path is to re-sit, which you can do at any session with no minimum gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DELF A1 pass mark?
50 out of 100 total AND at least 5 out of 25 on every individual section. Both conditions must be met simultaneously — a strong total does not compensate for a below-5 section score, and vice versa.
Can I re-take just one DELF A1 section?
No — DELF certifications are all-or-nothing per session. If you miss the pass on Speaking alone, you must re-sit all four sections at a future session. There is no partial re-take.
How long is DELF A1 valid?
For life. Once earned, France Éducation international never expires a DELF or DALF diploma — you can present it for visa, admission or professional purposes decades later. This differs from TEF/TCF, whose scores are valid 2 years for immigration.
When do I get my DELF A1 results?
4–6 weeks after the exam session. First an attestation de réussite arrives by email as a PDF; the physical diploma follows by post 2–3 months later. Employers and universities accept the attestation in the interim.
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