How to get the highest score on DELF

The desire to obtain a DELF certificate, which confirms a high proficiency in French, is one of the most practical decisions you can make in life! This document will never lose its value due to inflation, it will help build your career, and also solve the question of what to do in your free time.
Learning French is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Today, investing in self-development, improving your skills, and talents is very popular, as it will reflect positively on your personal qualities and overall well-being in the future. We want to travel more, improve our quality of life by living abroad, or increase our market value, but all of this requires proficiency in French. Perfect proficiency.
Today, our teachers reveal the secrets to achieving the highest score on the DELF exam...

Why take the DELF exam

The DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is a globally recognized certificate that proves your proficiency in French. This certificate is accepted by all Francophone countries and institutions. It is particularly important for those who want to study or work in French-speaking countries.

The certificate helps when applying for jobs in international companies.
Having the DELF certificate gives you the opportunity to apply to universities in French-speaking countries or receive study grants.
If you are planning to move to a French-speaking country, having the DELF certificate will simplify the process of obtaining a residence permit.

DELF Scoring

The DELF exam consists of four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each component is scored individually, and then all the scores are averaged to give you your final score.
The maximum score for DELF is 100 points, and the minimum score is 0 points.
Scores are awarded on a scale from 0 to 25 for each section.
Here is a breakdown of the DELF scoring system:

Score	Level of Proficiency

0-9	Beginner, no real understanding
10-14	Elementary, basic knowledge
15-19	Intermediate, moderate understanding
20-24	Good understanding, confident usage of language
25-30	Very good understanding, fluent communication
30-35	Excellent command of the language, near-native
35-40	Near-perfect proficiency, full control of the language

For example, a score of 10-12 is usually sufficient for most job applications, 15-18 is ideal for university applications, and a score of 20-25 will allow you to communicate confidently with native speakers.

DELF Test Sections

Scores are given separately for each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Then all the scores are added together to get the final score.

How to get the highest score in Writing

The secret to a successful Writing section lies in how well the examinee views their work from the examiner’s perspective. The assessment is done based on the following criteria:

- Task Achievement (Writing Task 1) / Task Response (Writing Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Task Achievement/ Task Response
For Writing Task 1, you will need to write a letter (for the General version) or describe and analyze a graph (for the Academic version). You have 30 minutes for this task, and you should write approximately 150 words.

IMPORTANT: In the Academic DELF, the task requires not just describing but analyzing the data presented, highlighting key points from secondary details. In the General DELF, it is important to maintain the appropriate letter writing style to avoid inconsistencies.
Task Response. This task involves writing an essay, either for the Academic or General DELF. You should write at least 250 words in 40 minutes.

IMPORTANT: When writing your essay, do not deviate from the topic. The examiner is looking for well-supported arguments and clear reasoning. Your ability to argue your position and explain your thought process is critical.

Coherence and Cohesion
Cohesion refers to the flow of ideas in your writing. It’s achieved by using appropriate linking words, synonyms, and pronouns to make the text readable.

IMPORTANT: When preparing for the exam, focus on mastering linking expressions. But don’t overuse them to the point of distraction; the goal is for these expressions to help the reader understand the meaning.

Coherence refers to how well your ideas connect with each other. Your text should have a clear structure: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

IMPORTANT: Ensure your ideas are clear to any reader, and use effective paragraphing to demonstrate logical structure. This is a key component in earning a high score.

Lexical Resource
A rich vocabulary is one of the main indicators of language proficiency. The more varied your vocabulary, the better your score.

IMPORTANT: Avoid collocation mistakes (incorrect word combinations), as they can significantly lower your score. For example, don’t say «make a research» in English or «do a photo» in French - it’s «conduct research» or «take a photo», respectively.

How to get the highest score in Reading

In this section, you will read texts and complete tasks that test your understanding. The exam lasts for 1 hour.

IMPORTANT: The reading texts will be quite long, about 2000-2500 words, and will cover topics such as the behavior of insects, the chemical composition of seawater, or the workings of an engine. But don’t worry!
- No special knowledge is required to understand the topics, as all the answers are in the text.
- Don’t stress about unfamiliar words or difficult terms; their meaning will either be irrelevant or inferred from context.

Preparation for DELF Reading
Do as many practice exercises as possible, replicating exam conditions.
Practice transferring your answers to the answer sheet correctly.
Read a lot of original literature, academic journals, essays, etc.
Learn to work with unfamiliar words, understanding which can be skipped and which are key to understanding.

How to get the highest score in Listening

This section tests your ability to understand spoken French. You will listen to 4 audio clips of increasing difficulty: a dialogue and a monologue on general topics, and a dialogue and a monologue on education.

IMPORTANT: Pay attention to the regional accents and colloquial expressions used in the audio recordings.

Preparation for DELF Listening
Listen to French radio, watch French TV, listen to music, and watch interviews and educational videos.
Do practice tests under timed conditions.
Continuously expand your vocabulary, focusing on colloquial expressions and fixed phrases.

How to get the highest score in Speaking

The final section of the DELF exam is the Speaking part, which usually includes three parts: a general conversation, a prepared monologue, and a discussion.

IMPORTANT: Make the most of the break before the Speaking exam by talking to a native speaker to help get into the right mindset.

DELF Speaking Part 1 - General Questions
In this part, the examiner will ask general questions on personal topics like your home, hobbies, or interests.

DELF Speaking Part 2 - Long Turn
You will have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 2-3 minutes on a given topic.

IMPORTANT: During the preparation time, take notes on key ideas and phrases that will help you develop your answer.

DELF Speaking Part 3 - Analytical Discussion
The examiner will ask you to discuss abstract topics, such as politics, tourism, or the economy.

Preparation for DELF Speaking
Record your speech and listen to it, or share it with a native speaker to discuss mistakes.
Learn words in context, not just isolated vocabulary.
Watch authentic materials: news, interviews, and videos.
Practice integrating examples from your own life into your answers.
Avoid short answers; express yourself using complete and complex sentences.

For a successful DELF exam, you need to do thorough preparation. But isn’t it worth it when your dream is within reach? Our teachers are here to help you with both theoretical advice and practical exercises.
Want to get a high score? Then we invite you to join our online French language course. We will help you take the next step toward your goal!