A complete, plain-English breakdown of what the DELE A2 actually tests — and how each part is scored. Updated 2026.
If you're preparing for the DELE A2, the single most useful thing you can do early is understand the exact shape of the exam. The A2 isn't about knowing "lots of Spanish" in the abstract — it's about handling a specific, predictable set of tasks. Once you know the task types, studying stops feeling vague and starts feeling like checking off a list.
Here's every task, grouped by the four skills the exam measures.
| Group | Sections | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Reading + Listening | 30 / 50 |
| Group 2 | Writing + Speaking | 30 / 50 |
Four tasks, ~60 minutes. The reading section rewards skimming and scanning more than slow word-by-word translation.
You read short personal texts (emails, notes) and match them to statements or to the right person. Tests gist understanding.
Short public texts — ads, announcements, signs — with comprehension questions. Watch for distractors that use similar words but mean something different.
One longer text (a brochure, article, or descriptive passage) with multiple-choice questions in order.
Several short texts to be matched with a list of options — a classic A-to-H matching task where careful elimination wins.
Four tasks, ~40 minutes. Each audio plays twice, so don't panic on the first listen — use it to orient, the second to confirm.
Brief recordings (voicemails, announcements) with one question each.
Listen for specific information: times, places, numbers, names.
Several speakers; match each to what they say or want.
A more extended conversation with multiple-choice questions testing overall and detailed comprehension.
Two tasks, ~45 minutes. This is where many candidates lose points by writing too little or ignoring the prompt's required points.
Write a short note, email, or postcard (around 40–50 words) responding to a situation. Hit every bullet the prompt asks for.
A longer text (around 60–70 words) describing experiences, plans, or opinions. Examiners reward clear structure, correct basic connectors (porque, pero, también), and addressing all required content points.
Three tasks, ~12 minutes, with preparation time beforehand. You'll prepare two of them in advance.
A short monologue on a familiar topic you prepared (describe a routine, a place, a plan).
Describe an image and answer follow-up questions about it.
A role-play with the examiner — booking something, asking for information, handling a simple transaction.
Each group (Reading+Listening, Writing+Speaking) is worth 50 points and you need 30 in each. The trap: candidates over-prepare reading (the "comfortable" skill) and under-prepare speaking and writing — then fail Group 2 despite a strong overall total. Balance your prep across all four skills from day one.
38 interactive lessons + 4 full mock exams, mapped to exactly these task types. First lesson free.