DELE Passing Score: How APTO and NO APTO Are Decided
To pass the DELE at A1, A2, B1 or B2 you need at least 30 out of 50 points in each of two groups: Reading plus Writing, and Listening plus Speaking. That's it. No grades, no band. Hit 30 in both groups and you're APTO. Miss one and you're NO APTO, however well you did in the other.
Last updated: 2026-09-30
DELE pass rules by level
How the papers are grouped and the minimum you need, as published by the Instituto Cervantes.
| Level | How it's scored | To pass (APTO) |
|---|---|---|
| A1, A2, B1, B2 | 4 papers × 25 points. Group 1: Reading + Writing (50). Group 2: Listening + Speaking (50). | At least 30 points in each group |
| C1 | 4 papers × 25 points, in two groups of 50 | At least 30 points in each group |
| C2 | 3 papers × about 33 points each | At least 20 points in each paper |
Why the groups matter more than the total
Think of the two groups as two separate exams stapled together. Points move freely inside a group, so a strong Reading can carry a weaker Writing. They don't move between groups. You could score 48 out of 50 in Reading and Writing and still fail with 29 in Listening and Speaking.
So the smart move in your prep is to find your weakest group and work on that. Your best paper doesn't get a vote in the other group.
What 30 out of 50 actually means
Thirty points in a group is 60 percent. At A1 to B2 each paper is worth 25 points, so an even split is 15 per paper. It doesn't have to be even, though. 18 in Reading and 12 in Writing still makes 30.
In Reading and Listening, points come from right answers. In Writing and Speaking, examiners score your answers against grading scales covering how well you did the task, how organised your language is, how accurate it is and how wide your range is.
Getting a realistic estimate before exam day
A full mock exam under real timing is the only honest way to check both groups. Reading and Listening you can mark yourself with an answer key. Writing and Speaking are the hard part, because you can't mark your own essay.
Langujet's DELE mock exams mark Reading and Listening instantly and score your Writing and Speaking against the DELE criteria, then estimate whether a result like yours would likely pass at your level. It's a guide for your practice, not an official score.
Common questions
Check both groups before exam day
Sit a full DELE mock at A1, A2 or B1 and see where each group lands. Starting is free.
Langujet is an independent exam-preparation platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Instituto Cervantes or the DELE exams. Scores and pass estimates are guidance to support your practice, not official results.