---
title: "DELE vs DELF vs SIELE vs Goethe: Official Language Exams Compared"
description: "Compare the major official language certifications side by side — DELE and SIELE (Spanish), DELF (French) and Goethe-Zertifikat (German): format, scoring, pass marks, validity and oral test."
lang: "en"
slug: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-comparison"
pubDate: 2026-06-15
alternates:
  en: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-comparison"
  es: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-comparativa"
  fr: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-comparaison"
  de: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-vergleich"
  it: "dele-vs-delf-vs-siele-vs-goethe-confronto"
---
If you are choosing an official language certification, the short answer is this: **DELE and SIELE certify Spanish, DELF certifies French, and the Goethe-Zertifikat certifies German.** DELE, DELF and Goethe are level-based diplomas you pass or fail and that do not expire, while SIELE is a single computer-based test that reports a 0–1000 score mapped to a CEFR level and is valid for five years.

This guide compares the four major official certifications side by side — including their oral tests, since speaking is where most candidates struggle.

## Overview Matrix

<table class="comparison-table">
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Exam</th>
      <th>Language</th>
      <th>Issuing body</th>
      <th>CEFR levels</th>
      <th>Format</th>
      <th>Scoring</th>
      <th>Pass mark</th>
      <th>Certificate validity</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>DELE</td>
      <td>Spanish</td>
      <td>Instituto Cervantes</td>
      <td>A1–C2</td>
      <td>Paper-based</td>
      <td>0–100</td>
      <td>60/100 (both groups)</td>
      <td>Lifetime</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SIELE</td>
      <td>Spanish</td>
      <td>Instituto Cervantes (backed)</td>
      <td>A1–C1</td>
      <td>Computer-based</td>
      <td>0–1000 (score, no pass/fail)</td>
      <td>None (reports CEFR level)</td>
      <td>5 years</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>DELF / DALF</td>
      <td>French</td>
      <td>France Éducation International</td>
      <td>A1–C2</td>
      <td>Paper-based</td>
      <td>0–100 (25 per skill)</td>
      <td>50/100 (min 5/25 per skill)</td>
      <td>Lifetime</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Goethe-Zertifikat</td>
      <td>German</td>
      <td>Goethe-Institut</td>
      <td>A1–C2</td>
      <td>Paper-based (modular B1–C2)</td>
      <td>0–100 per module</td>
      <td>60/100 per module</td>
      <td>Does not expire</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## Oral Test at a Glance

The speaking test differs the most between these exams. The table below summarises a typical B2-level oral, since B2 is the most common goal for university and professional use.

<table class="comparison-table">
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Exam</th>
      <th>Oral duration (B2)</th>
      <th>Nº of tasks / parts</th>
      <th>Prep time</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>DELE</td>
      <td>~20 min</td>
      <td>3 tasks</td>
      <td>20 min</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SIELE</td>
      <td>Up to 15 min</td>
      <td>5 tasks (recorded)</td>
      <td>Built into each task</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>DELF</td>
      <td>~20 min</td>
      <td>2 parts (monologue + debate)</td>
      <td>30 min</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Goethe-Zertifikat</td>
      <td>~15 min</td>
      <td>3 parts (often in pairs)</td>
      <td>~15 min</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

**Note on SIELE:** the speaking test is recorded on a computer rather than conducted live with an examiner. There is no single block of preparation — short prompts and short prep windows are built into each of the five tasks.

## Spanish: DELE vs SIELE

Both are backed by Instituto Cervantes, but they serve different needs:

- **DELE** is a paper-based, level-specific diploma (you register for A2, B1, B2, etc.). It never expires and is the diploma typically required for Spanish citizenship and many academic purposes.
- **SIELE** is a single, fully computer-based test. You can take all four skills (SIELE Global) or independent modules. It does not pass or fail you — it reports a 0–1000 score mapped to a CEFR level. Results arrive in about three weeks and the certificate is valid for five years.

## Which One Should You Choose?

The right exam depends on the language you need and your goal:

**Choose DELE if:**
- You need a permanent Spanish diploma that never expires
- You need it for Spanish citizenship (A2) or many university programmes
- You prefer a single, clearly defined level to certify

**Choose SIELE if:**
- You want fast, flexible, computer-based testing with quick results
- You want a single test that places you on the CEFR scale
- A five-year validity period is acceptable for your purpose

**Choose DELF / DALF if:**
- You need to certify French (study or work in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec)
- You need French citizenship (B1 minimum) or admission to a French university (B2)

**Choose the Goethe-Zertifikat if:**
- You need to certify German for study or work in Germany, Austria or Switzerland
- You want a modular exam (B1–C2) where you can certify skills separately

## Preparing for the Oral Test

Whichever exam you choose, the speaking section rewards the same core habits: a clear structure for monologues, strong connectors, time management during preparation, and lots of practice speaking under pressure. The DELF and DELE B2 orals in particular reward candidates who can organise an argument and defend it spontaneously.

If you are focusing on French and weighing DELF against the TCF (for example for citizenship or immigration to Canada), see our [TCF vs DELF comparison](/blog/en/tcf-vs-delf-comparison-which-exam).

<div class="cta-box">
  <h3>Practice Your DELF and DELE Oral Exams</h3>
  <p>OralPrep supports both DELF and DELE. Practice with AI-scored simulations using the official grading criteria for each exam.</p>
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</div>