Quick Answer
DELE A2 is four tests (Instituto Cervantes, 2020 model still used in 2026): Reading 60 min / 4 tasks, Listening 40 min / 4 tasks, Writing 45 min / 2 tasks, Speaking 12 min + 12 min prep / 3 tasks. Each skill is 25 points (100 total). Pass: at least 30/50 in Grupo 1 (Reading + Writing) and 30/50 in Grupo 2 (Listening + Speaking); there is no per-test minimum. Confirm your centre date on examenes.cervantes.es.
| Test | Official time | Tasks | Points | Scoring pair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (lectura) | 60 minutes | 4 | 25 | Grupo 1 |
| Listening (auditiva) | 40 minutes | 4 | 25 | Grupo 2 |
| Writing (escritas) | 45 minutes | 2 | 25 | Grupo 1 |
| Speaking (orales) | 12 min + 12 min prep | 3 | 25 | Grupo 2 |
Common Questions About DELE A2 Exam Structure
What is the passing score for DELE A2?
You need at least 30/50 in Grupo 1 (Reading + Writing) and 30/50 in Grupo 2 (Listening + Speaking), out of 100. Full scoring math and fail examples: DELE A2 passing score breakdown.
How long is the DELE A2 exam?
Written papers are 60 + 40 + 45 minutes. Speaking is 12 minutes in the room after 12 minutes of prep — often the same day, sometimes a separate slot. Plan a half-day at the centre, not a two-hour dash.
How many points is each DELE A2 section worth?
Each skill is scored out of 25 (100 total). You need 30/50 in each pair — Reading + Writing (Grupo 1) and Listening + Speaking (Grupo 2). There is no separate per-test minimum. DELE A2 passing score breakdown explains the traps. For citizenship prep (DELE + CCSE), see the full study plan — this page is structure and timings only.
Below: what each DELE A2 skill tests, official timings, and how the two scoring pairs work in 2026.
Overview of DELE A2 Sections and Timing
The DELE A2 exam consists of four main components:
- Reading Comprehension (60 minutes)
- Written Expression (45 minutes)
- Listening Comprehension (40 minutes)
- Oral Expression (12 minutes + 12 minutes prep)
Total testing time: 2 hours 37 minutes, plus 12 minutes of speaking preparation
Reading Comprehension (Comprensión de Lectura)
This section tests your ability to understand written Spanish in everyday contexts:
- 4 tasks with multiple-choice questions
- Topics include: advertisements, short emails, simple instructions, public signs
- Focus on understanding main ideas and specific details
- Score needed: 30/50 points
Practice Tips for Reading
- Read Spanish newspapers' headlines daily
- Practice with restaurant menus and product labels
- Review common public signs and notices
Written Expression (Expresión e Interacción Escritas)
Two writing tasks on the paper:
1. Write a short message/email (40-50 words)
2. Fill out a form or write a simple note (30-40 words)
Common topics include:
- Making appointments
- Accepting/declining invitations
- Describing daily routines
- Requesting basic information
Listening Comprehension (Comprensión Auditiva)
This section includes:
- 4 tasks with recorded conversations
- Short dialogues and announcements
- Each audio played twice
- Multiple-choice questions
Key Listening Strategies
- Focus on context clues
- Pay attention to numbers and times
- Listen for key words about locations, prices, and dates
Oral Expression (Expresión e Interacción Orales)
The speaking test consists of three parts:
1. Brief self-presentation (2-3 minutes)
2. Simple dialogue with the examiner (3-4 minutes)
3. Description of a photograph (3-4 minutes)
Topics typically include:
- Personal information
- Daily activities
- Family and friends
- Hobbies and interests
Study plan (separate guide)
Structure tells you what to practise; the study order and citizenship path live in How to pass DELE A2 for Spanish citizenship.
Structure clear? Browse the mock preview
Structure clear? Browse the DELE mock preview next and check Grupo 1/2 floors (30/50 per pair) before you book Instituto Cervantes.
Practise all four skills in exam order on Prep2go — DELE A2 hub →
Passing score (short version)
You need 30/50 in Grupo 1 (Reading + Writing) and 30/50 in Grupo 2 (Listening + Speaking), out of 100. Full math, fail examples, and floor traps: DELE A2 passing score breakdown.
Section-by-Section: What Each Task Actually Looks Like
Reading: 4 Tasks, 60 Minutes
Task 1: Match 5 short texts (signs, notices, labels) to 8 options. Straightforward if you know everyday vocabulary. Task 2: Read 3 longer texts (emails, ads, instructions) and answer multiple-choice questions about main idea and details. Task 3: Gap-fill — complete a text by selecting the correct word from options. Tests grammar and vocabulary in context. Task 4: Match 6 people to 8 short texts based on stated preferences — the most time-consuming task. Allocate time carefully: Tasks 1–3 should take ~35 minutes total, leaving 25 minutes for Task 4.
Listening: 4 Tasks, 40 Minutes
Task 1: Listen to 7 short conversations, match each to a picture or statement. Task 2: Listen to 6 short messages (voicemails, announcements), answer multiple-choice. Task 3: Listen to a longer conversation, answer 6 questions about details. Task 4: Listen to a monologue, complete a form or answer true/false. Each recording plays twice. The most common mistake: not reading the questions before the audio starts. Use the pause between recordings to read ahead — this alone improves scores by 10–15%.
Writing: 2 Tasks, 45 Minutes
Task 1 (~15 minutes): Write a short message (60–80 words) — usually a note, invitation, or request. Task 2 (~30 minutes): Write a longer text (80–100 words) — usually a formal email, complaint, or description. Official writing time is 45 minutes total. Follow the word-count instructions on the task. Both tasks are scored on content, coherence, vocabulary, and grammar — with content and coherence weighted more heavily at A2 level.
Speaking: 3 Tasks, 12 Minutes + 12 Minutes Prep
Task 1 (3–4 minutes): Prepared monologue on a given topic (family, hobbies, daily routine). You get 12 minutes to prepare all three tasks before the oral exam begins. Task 2 (3–4 minutes): Describe a photograph and answer examiner questions about it. Task 3 (4–5 minutes): Simulated conversation — you and the examiner role-play a situation (buying a ticket, making a complaint, planning an event). The examiner is trained to help you — if you freeze, they'll rephrase or prompt. Silence is penalized more than errors.
Optimal Time Allocation Strategy
| Section | Total Time | Fast Tasks | Hard Tasks | Buffer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 60 min | Tasks 1–2: 20 min | Tasks 3–4: 35 min | 5 min review |
| Writing | 45 min | Task 1: 15 min | Task 2: 25 min | 5 min word count check |
| Listening | 40 min | Fixed pace (audio controls timing) | — | Use pauses to read ahead |
| Speaking | 12 min | Task 1: 3 min (prepared) | Tasks 2–3: 10 min | 12 min prep before exam |
Pre-Exam Structure Checklist
Official Source
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sections does DELE A2 have?
Four sections: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Written Expression, and Oral Expression. They are grouped into two scoring pairs.
What is the DELE A2 paired scoring system?
Grupo 1 is Reading + Writing. Grupo 2 is Listening + Speaking. Each pair needs at least 30/50 out of 100 overall. Miss either pair and you fail, whatever the total.
How long is the DELE A2 exam in total?
Written papers: Reading 60 minutes, Listening 40 minutes, Writing 45 minutes. Speaking is 12 minutes in the room after 12 minutes of preparation. Plan a half-day at the centre.