The DELE B1 exam pattern consists of four sections (pruebas) — Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking — all taken in a single sitting on the same day. At B1, Instituto Cervantes expects you to handle everyday situations in Spanish: understanding straightforward texts and conversations, producing connected written text, and sustaining a simple spoken exchange rather than just answering isolated questions.
Each prueba is scored out of 25 points, and passing depends on two combined groups rather than a single overall percentage — Reading and Writing form one group, Listening and Speaking the other, and you need a minimum score in both. Total exam time runs to roughly 3 hours 40 minutes, including a short preparation period before the Speaking test.
Here is the exact section-by-section structure, timing, question types and scoring — no fluff. Confirm the latest exam dates and fees on the Instituto Cervantes' official site before registering.
Exam Sections Overview
| Prueba (Section) | Skill | Time | Tasks | Max Score | |------------------|-------|------|-------|-----------| | 1 | Reading Comprehension | 70 min | 5 tasks, ~30 items | 25 points | | 2 | Writing Comprehension | 60 min | 2 tasks | 25 points | | 3 | Listening Comprehension | 40 min | 5 tasks, ~30 items | 25 points | | 4 | Speaking Comprehension | 15 min + 15 min prep | 3 tasks | 25 points |
Total time: Approximately 3 hours 40 minutes (excluding breaks and instructions).
Prueba 1: Reading Comprehension (70 min)
You will read a variety of texts: notices, emails, newspaper articles, and short literary excerpts. There are 5 tasks with a total of around 30 questions. Question types include multiple choice, matching, and true/false. Each correct answer earns 1 point. The maximum raw score is 25.
What to expect:
- Task 1: Match short texts to corresponding statements.
- Task 2: Read a longer text and answer multiple-choice questions.
- Task 3: Fill gaps in a text with given options.
- Task 4: Read a text and identify statements as true/false with justification.
- Task 5: Match questions to answers in an informal exchange.
Prueba 2: Writing Comprehension (60 min)
Two writing tasks. The first is a guided composition (e.g., a letter or email of 150–180 words). The second is a choice between an informal letter or a short article (about 150–180 words). You will be assessed on content, coherence, vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy. Maximum score is 25.
Tip: Use connectors and varied sentence structures. Avoid memorised templates — examiners look for natural expression.
Prueba 3: Listening Comprehension (40 min)
Five tasks with around 30 items. You will hear announcements, conversations, interviews, and short monologues. Each recording is played twice. Questions are multiple choice, matching, or true/false. Each correct answer gives 1 point; maximum raw score is 25.
Common pitfalls:
- Distractors in multiple-choice options.
- Fast speech with colloquial expressions.
- Answering before hearing the full recording.
Take a free DELE B1 demo mock to find out where you stand: Try the demo →
Prueba 4: Speaking Comprehension (15 min + 15 min prep)
You will have 15 minutes to prepare three tasks:
- 1Monologue (2–3 min) – Describe a photo or situation.
- 2Dialogue with examiner (3–4 min) – Role-play a real-life scenario.
- 3Follow-up conversation (3–4 min) – Discuss related topics.
The examiner assesses pronunciation, fluency, interaction, and grammatical range. Maximum score is 25.
Preparation strategy: Practice speaking on everyday topics (travel, work, hobbies) without notes. Record yourself and listen for errors.
Marking Scheme & Pass Criteria
Each section is scored out of 25. The final result is based on two groups:
- Group 1: Reading + Writing (max 50 points)
- Group 2: Listening + Speaking (max 50 points)
To pass, you need at least 30 points in each group (i.e., 60% in each group). It is not enough to have a high total — you must perform well in both groups. For example, scoring 40 in Group 1 but 25 in Group 2 is a fail.
Score calculation example:
- Reading: 20/25
- Writing: 18/25
- Group 1 total: 38/50 (pass)
- Listening: 15/25
- Speaking: 16/25
- Group 2 total: 31/50 (pass)
- Overall: Pass
See DELE B1 mock-test packs and pricing: View plans →
Important Notes
- The exam is administered by the Instituto Cervantes. Verify exact dates and fees on the official portal — DELE B1 fees were last revised in early 2026.
- Results are usually available within 3 months. You receive a certificate valid for life.
- No negative marking. Answer every question.
- You can take the exam at any Instituto Cervantes centre or authorised exam centre in India (e.g., New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore).