DELF and TCF speaking assessment criteria and scores explained
In DELF and DALF speaking tests, two examiners score your performance using an official grid with five or six criteria. The grid produces a score out of 25, doubled for the DALF C2 speaking mark out of 50. For each criterion, they tick one of four boxes, each with a fixed point value. TCF speaking works differently: an examiner and a marker each assign a CEFR level to each of three tasks, and France Éducation international (FEI) calculates a mark out of 20.
Checked on 17 September 2026 against the speaking assessment grids (September 2022 version), the DELF and DALF examination rules, and the April 2026 Manuel du candidat TCF. Links appear at the end. OralPrep publishes this article and offers a speaking simulator scored against these criteria.
| Exam | Criteria scored | Points per box | Mark | Required minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DELF A1, A2, B1 | 6: task fulfilment for each part (3), lexis, morphosyntax, phonology | 0 / 1 / 2.5 / 4; lexis: 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | /25 | 5/25 in speaking and 50/100 overall |
| DELF B2 | 5: task fulfilment (2), lexis, morphosyntax, phonology | 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | /25 | 5/25 in speaking and 50/100 overall |
| DALF C1 | 5: task fulfilment (2), lexis, morphosyntax, phonology | 0 / 1 / 3 / 5 | /25 | 5/25 in speaking and 50/100 overall |
| DALF C2 | 6: task fulfilment (3), lexis, morphosyntax, phonology | 0 / 1 / 2.5 / 4; lexis: 0 / 1 / 3 / 5; grid total doubled | /50 | 10/50 in speaking and 50/100 overall |
| TCF (speaking) | One CEFR level per task (3 tasks), assigned by two assessors | No points per criterion in the candidate handbook | /20 | None: the required level depends on the organisation requesting the certificate |
How to read the DELF and DALF grid
Since September 2022, DELF and DALF examiners have used grids built on the same model for all six levels. Download the speaking assessment grid for your level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2. Each PDF has two pages: scores first, then performance descriptors.
The first page is for scoring. It divides the criteria into two groups:
- Pragmatic and sociolinguistic skills: one “task fulfilment” (réalisation de la tâche) criterion for each part, with an indicative duration.
- Linguistic competence (compétence linguistique): lexis (lexique), morphosyntax (morphosyntaxe) and control of the phonological system (maîtrise du système phonologique). These three criteria cover the whole test, rather than one particular part.
For each criterion, the examiner chooses one of four boxes:
- No response or insufficient production (non répondu ou production insuffisante): 0 points.
- Below the targeted level (en dessous du niveau ciblé): 1 point.
- At the targeted level (au niveau ciblé), meaning the level of the diploma being taken: 2.5 or 3 points, depending on the criterion.
- The “+” level (A1+, B2+, etc.), also listed under “at the targeted level”: 4 or 5 points.
The examiner does not choose an arbitrary mark between 0 and 5. They decide whether the performance reaches the target level, tick the corresponding box and award the points printed beneath it. The grid also states that assessment by two examiners is mandatory at every level.
The second page describes the boxes. For each criterion, it gives performance descriptors for “below the targeted level”, the target level (for example B2) and the “+” level (B2+). This is the most useful page for practice because it shows what moves a performance from one box to the next.
The scoring grid at each level
These scored parts and durations come from the September 2022 grids. The French names of the tasks appear in parentheses.
| Level | Scored parts (duration shown on the grid) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| DELF A1 | Guided interview (entretien dirigé, about 1 min), information exchange (échange d’informations, about 2 min), simulated dialogue (dialogue simulé, about 2 min) | 3 × 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 25 |
| DELF A2 | Guided interview (about 1 min 30 sec), sustained monologue (monologue suivi, about 2 min), interaction exercise (exercice en interaction, 3 to 4 min) | 3 × 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 25 |
| DELF B1 | Guided interview (2 to 3 min), interaction exercise (3 to 4 min), expression of a point of view (expression d’un point de vue, 5 to 7 min) | 3 × 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 25 |
| DELF B2 | Sustained monologue (5 to 7 min), interaction exercise (10 to 13 min) | 2 × 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 25 |
| DALF C1 | Presentation (exposé, 8 to 10 min), interview (entretien, 15 to 20 min) | 2 × 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 25 |
| DALF C2 | Presentation of the document (présentation du document, 5 to 10 min), reasoned argument (point de vue argumenté, about 10 min), discussion with the panel (débat avec le jury, about 10 min) | (3 × 4 + 5 + 4 + 4) × 2 = 50 |
In each calculation, the first term covers task fulfilment; lexis, morphosyntax and phonology follow. At levels with three parts, lexis is the only linguistic criterion worth up to 5 points. At DALF C2, the grid’s raw score out of 25 is doubled for the combined listening and speaking test mark out of 50.
For preparation time, instructions and sample topics, see our guides to DELF A1, DELF A2, DELF B1 and DELF B2.
What the boxes add up to
Because every box has a fixed value, we can calculate the mark for a consistent scoring profile:
| Candidate profile | DELF A1, A2, B1 | DELF B2, DALF C1 | DALF C2 (after × 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the targeted level on every criterion | 6/25 | 5/25 | 12/50 |
| At the targeted level on every criterion | 15.5/25 | 15/25 | 31/50 |
| At the “+” level (A1+, B2+, etc.) on every criterion | 25/25 | 25/25 | 50/50 |
This has three consequences for preparation:
- Meeting the level throughout puts you above the average needed to pass. At DELF and DALF C1, it earns 15 or 15.5/25, compared with the 12.5/25 average per test needed for 50/100. At DALF C2, it earns 31/50, compared with half the test’s points at 25/50.
- At B2 and C1, “below” on every criterion earns 5/25, exactly the required minimum. You can still earn the diploma if the other three tests bring at least 45/75. One box scored 0 would take speaking below 5/25 and prevent you from receiving the diploma.
- A zero on one criterion is costly. Skipping a part or speaking too briefly loses the entire value of that criterion, while a weak but sufficient response earns at least 1 point on the grid. At A1, A2 and B1, moving one part from “below” to “targeted level” adds 1.5 points; at B2 and C1, it adds 2; at C2, it adds 3 after doubling.
What separates one box from the next
The second-page descriptors show what examiners look for. Here are the DELF B2 grid’s descriptors for the first part, a prepared presentation in which you defend your viewpoint. The quotations below are our translations of the French originals.
| Below the targeted level | B2 | B2+ |
|---|---|---|
| “Can give an opinion simply and draw on a few personal examples.” | “Can express a point of view using concrete arguments and relevant examples to support it.” | “Can present an opinion by developing numerous arguments supported by relevant examples.” |
What changes is the support for the opinion: personal examples, then concrete arguments with relevant examples, then numerous supported arguments. A presentation mainly recounting your experience may therefore fall into the lower box, even if your French is accurate.
Other descriptors offer useful reference points:
- DELF B2, interaction exercise (debate): B2 describes a candidate who “can respond to questions and counterarguments related to the task”. B2+ describes someone who responds to the examiner’s arguments “convincingly, even when they go beyond the scope of the task”. Prepare for questions that move away from the document too.
- DELF B2, phonology: the grid does not require a native accent. Even B2+ mentions a “foreign accent” that “does not affect understanding at all”. B2 looks at intonation, stress placement and sound articulation.
- DELF B1, expression of a point of view: “below” describes someone who “needs prompting by the examiner to clarify or support their statements”. B1 allows this “occasionally”. How often the examiner has to prompt you therefore matters.
- DELF A1, phonology: at A1, “the examiner may still need to ask for some words to be repeated”. One request to repeat a word does not cost you the A1 level.
- DALF C1, presentation: C1 expects an announced plan that may nevertheless “be difficult to follow during the presentation”. C1+ requires a plan “clearly announced and followed throughout the presentation”.
These are only a few excerpts. Keep the complete grid for your level in front of you when assessing a performance.
How TCF speaking is scored
The Manuel du candidat TCF has no points grid like the DELF’s. It describes this process:
- An examiner authorised by FEI administers the three tasks at the test centre and records the interview.
- A marker, also trained by FEI, assesses the recording. The assessments are independent and “double blind”: neither assessor knows the levels assigned by the other.
- Each assigns each of the three tasks a level, from “A1 not attained” (A1 non atteint) to C2.
- A calculation rule combines these six levels (three tasks, two assessors) into the final mark out of 20 and the final level. The handbook does not explain the rule.
- If the two assessments differ substantially, a third marking takes place.
The handbook groups the criteria into three categories (page 21):
- Linguistic: range and command of vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, ease of expression, pronunciation and overall fluency;
- Pragmatic: interaction, organisation of speech, coherence and cohesion, development of the topic;
- Sociolinguistic: suitability for the communication situation.
The mark out of 20 is converted to a CEFR level using the handbook’s interpretation table (page 25). For TCF Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides the NCLC equivalences:
| Speaking mark | CEFR level (TCF) | NCLC (TCF Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/20 | A1 | Below NCLC 4 |
| 2 and 3/20 | A2 | Below NCLC 4 |
| 4 and 5/20 | A2 | NCLC 4 |
| 6/20 | B1 | NCLC 5 |
| 7 to 9/20 | B1 | NCLC 6 |
| 10 and 11/20 | B2 | NCLC 7 |
| 12 and 13/20 | B2 | NCLC 8 |
| 14 and 15/20 | C1 | NCLC 9 |
| 16 and 17/20 | C1 | NCLC 10 or higher |
| 18 to 20/20 | C2 | NCLC 10 or higher |
The TCF has no passing mark. As the handbook says, “there is no notion of passing or failing the TCF”: the required level depends on whoever requests the certificate (a university, prefecture or IRCC). See our TCF speaking guide for the three tasks and our TCF Canada and NCLC table for the conversion across all four tests.
DELF and TCF: two scoring approaches
| DELF and DALF | TCF | |
|---|---|---|
| What is assessed | Whether you meet the level of the diploma chosen in advance | The level shown by your performance, from A1 to C2 |
| Assessors | Two assessors are mandatory | An examiner at the centre and a marker of the recording, working double blind |
| Grid available to candidates | Yes, with points for every box and performance descriptors | The handbook gives general criteria and the conversion table only |
| Mark | Out of 25, the sum of the ticked boxes; doubled at DALF C2 for a mark out of 50 | Out of 20, calculated from six assigned levels |
| Threshold | 5/25 in DELF and DALF C1 speaking; 10/50 at DALF C2; 50/100 overall | No threshold set by the test |
For help choosing the exam that fits your plans, see our TCF versus DELF comparison.
Using the grids to practise
For DELF and DALF, record a complete practice test, then listen back with the descriptor page for your target level:
- For each criterion, first decide whether your performance is at the targeted level or below it. Look at the points afterwards.
- Start with task fulfilment: at A1, A2 and B1 it accounts for 12 of 25 points; at C2, 24 of 50 after doubling; at B2 and C1, 10 of 25.
- Note the descriptor sentence that justified each box. It tells you what to practise.
In class, two people can independently score the same performance and compare their boxes, as examiners do. Differences reveal which descriptors they interpret differently.
For TCF, the DELF descriptors at the level you are aiming for give an idea of the expected performance, since they describe the same CEFR levels. TCF tasks differ from DELF tasks, though: in task 3, for example, you give your point of view without preparation time.
Get a mark for each criterion
OralPrep simulates DELF (A1 to B2) and TCF speaking with an AI examiner and official timing, then scores each response against these criteria. The score is indicative, and the first evaluation is free.
Start a free simulationRead also: a model DELF B2 speaking answer, how to assess your DELF B2 speaking and TCF levels and scores.
Sources
- DELF and DALF A1–C2 speaking grids: links to the six French-language PDFs cited above.
- France Éducation international: B1 grid, B2 explanation and C2 grid (in French).
- DELF and DALF examination rules: pass marks and minimum marks (in French).
- TCF candidate handbook, April 2026: speaking criteria on p. 21 and score interpretation on p. 25 (in French).
- IRCC’s TCF Canada–NCLC equivalences (in English).
Frequently asked questions
How many points is the DELF speaking test worth?
25 of the diploma's 100 points, like each of the other three tests. Under the DELF and DALF examination rules, you need at least 5/25 in each test and 50/100 overall. A speaking mark below 5/25 prevents you from receiving the diploma, regardless of your total; a strong written mark cannot make up for it.
What does ‘at the targeted level’ mean on the DELF grid?
Your performance meets the level of the diploma you are taking. Each criterion has four boxes: ‘no response or insufficient production’, ‘below the targeted level’, and two boxes under ‘at the targeted level’: the level itself (for example B2) and that level with a plus sign (B2+). The examiner ticks one box, whose point value is printed on the grid.
What mark do you get in DELF B2 if you meet B2 on every criterion?
15/25. In B2 speaking, each of the five criteria earns 3 points in the B2 box and 5 in the B2+ box. ‘Below the targeted level’ on all five earns 5/25. That meets the minimum, but you still need enough points in the other tests to reach 50/100. Below 5/25, you cannot receive the diploma.
Which DELF and DALF assessment grids does this article use?
The A1–C2 speaking grids available from the Swiss DELF and DALF site, plus France Éducation international documents for B1, B2 and C2. The April 2026 date in this article refers to the TCF candidate handbook, which covers a different exam.
Where can I find the official TCF speaking scoring grid?
The Manuel du candidat TCF does not reproduce it. It says markers use standardised grids, describes three groups of criteria (linguistic, pragmatic and sociolinguistic) and gives the table converting the mark out of 20 to a CEFR level. The rule converting the levels assigned to each task into a mark out of 20 is not published.
What TCF speaking mark out of 20 corresponds to B2?
10 to 13/20, according to the interpretation table in the Manuel du candidat TCF (April 2026, page 25). For TCF Canada, 10 or 11/20 corresponds to NCLC 7, and 12 or 13/20 to NCLC 8.