Quick Answer
CELI 2 (Italian) is technically the hardest โ it's B1 level, not A2. Among true A2 exams, DELF A2 (French) has the strictest eliminatory rules (fail one skill = fail entirely). CIPLE A2 (Portuguese) has the 25% trap. DELE A2 (Spanish) is considered the most forgiving of the four.
Difficulty Comparison by Scoring Rules
| Exam | Pass Mark | Eliminatory Rule | Hardest Section | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELE A2 | 30/50 per pair | Pairs of skills (not individual) | Writing | Most forgiving |
| CIPLE A2 | 55% overall | 25% min in each section | Speaking | Medium |
| DELF A2 | 50/100 overall | 5/25 min per skill (strictest) | Listening | Strict |
| CELI 2 | 60% overall | Carry-over policy | Speaking | Hardest (B1 level) |
Why DELE A2 is the Most Forgiving
DELE A2 groups skills into pairs: Reading+Writing, and Listening+Speaking. You need 30 out of 50 per pair โ not per individual skill. This means a strong Writing score can compensate for a weak Reading score. Full CIPLE vs DELE comparison here.
Why CIPLE A2 Has the 25% Trap
CIPLE A2 requires 25% minimum in each of three individual sections. A candidate who scores 100% in Reading+Writing, 100% in Speaking, but 24% in Listening gets an overall score of 74% โ and still fails. Full explanation of the 25% trap here.
Why DELF A2 Has the Strictest Eliminatory Rule
DELF A2 eliminates candidates who score below 5 out of 25 in any single skill. With four individual skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking), there are four separate ways to fail โ more than any other exam on this list.
Why CELI 2 is Hardest Overall
CELI 2 is B1 level โ one full level above the other three exams. Italy requires B1 for citizenship (not A2). The carry-over policy allows you to bank a passed block for one year and resit only the failed block. The higher level makes it significantly harder to prepare for. DELF A2 vs CELI A2 scoring comparison here.
Which Exam Should You Choose?
You don't choose โ your target country determines which exam you need:
If you have flexibility (dual nationality path, multiple residency options), DELE A2 is the most forgiving scoring system.
How to Prepare for Any of These Exams
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Sources: CAPLE - Official CIPLE A2 Specifications | Instituto Cervantes - Official DELE A2 Specifications | France Education International - Official DELF A2 Specifications | CVCL - Official CELI 2 Specifications