Preparing for the DELE A2 exam is different from learning Spanish casually. You don't have years - you have weeks. And you don't need all of Spanish, you need the specific vocabulary that appears on the exam.
Here's an honest ranking of every app worth considering, and one method that beats them all.
Why Most Apps Fail DELE A2 Candidates
Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise are built for general language learning. They'll teach you "the cat is on the table" before they teach you "renew your residence permit" - which is exactly the kind of vocabulary DELE A2 tests.
The exam covers four sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Each section has a 25% minimum threshold. You can score well overall and still fail because one section dragged you below the cutoff.
Apps that don't organize vocabulary by exam section set you up for exactly this trap.
The Apps, Ranked
1. Anki + Prep2Go DELE A2 Deck - Best Overall
Anki is the gold standard for vocabulary retention. Every serious language learner uses it. The app is free on desktop and Android (one-time $25 on iOS) and uses spaced repetition - showing you words exactly when you're about to forget them.
The problem: Anki alone is just the engine. You need the right fuel.
The Prep2Go DELE A2 deck is built specifically for the citizenship exam - not general Spanish. It includes:
This combination - Anki's spaced repetition engine + exam-specific vocabulary - is what serious candidates use.
2. Memrise - Best Free Alternative
Memrise uses spaced repetition with video clips of native Spanish speakers, which helps with listening comprehension. The interface is more polished than Anki and easier to get started with.
The downside: It's built for general Spanish vocabulary, not DELE exam content. The free tier is limited, and the paid subscription adds up. You'll learn useful words, but not necessarily the ones tested on your exam.
Best for: Supplementary practice alongside an exam-specific deck.
3. Duolingo - Consistency Tool Only
Duolingo is free, habit-forming, and genuinely good for building a daily study routine. Spanish is one of its better courses.
The problem: It's designed for general fluency, not exam passing. The vocabulary sequence follows Duolingo's logic, not the DELE exam structure. Most serious candidates use it as a warm-up, not a primary study tool.
Best for: 10-15 minutes of daily warm-up, nothing more.
4. LingQ - Best for Reading Practice
LingQ lets you import any Spanish content - articles, books, YouTube transcripts - and look up words instantly. It tracks your vocabulary progress across everything you read.
The downside: Monthly subscription ($10-15/month), steep learning curve, and no exam-specific focus. Better for long-term fluency than short-term exam prep.
Best for: Candidates with 3+ months before their exam who want to build reading comprehension alongside vocabulary.
5. Babbel - Structured but Slow
Babbel's bite-sized 15-minute lessons are well-designed and cover real conversational Spanish. Yale University research found learners developed conversational ability after 3 months of consistent use.
The problem: Three months is the minimum for results, and the vocabulary path doesn't align with DELE exam sections. At $13-15/month, it's also expensive for what you get as an exam prep tool.
Best for: Complete beginners who need foundational Spanish before tackling exam vocabulary.
The Honest Verdict
| Prep2Go + Anki | Memrise | Duolingo | LingQ | Babbel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELE-specific vocabulary | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Spaced repetition | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | No |
| Native audio | Yes | Yes | No | Partial | Yes |
| Exam section structure | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Free option | Preview | Limited | Yes | 20 words | No |
| Price | $24.99 one-time | Subscription | Free/Plus | Subscription | Subscription |
The Winning Study Stack
Most candidates who pass DELE A2 on their first attempt use this combination:
Start 2-3 months before your exam. Review 30-50 new cards per day. Focus extra time on whichever exam section is your weakest.