Do you have questions about the DELE evaluation system? Do you want to know what they are looking for and expecting from you? We will clearly analyze how both the oral and written parts are corrected and what grade is needed in each test to obtain the Apt.

Tests and scoring

In the DELE exam, you can only obtain an Eligible or Not Eligible, meaning that there are no other types of intermediate grades. If you don't qualify, you can apply again for a next call.

With the exception of levels C2 and the exam for students from A2-B2, the score of the rest of the exams between levels A1 and C1 share the same structure and score.

The exam is divided into 2 blocks that are worth 50 points each, so the sum of both will give 100 points. In turn, each block contains two tests worth 25 points each.

In Block No1 you will find Test 1 for “Reading Comprehension”, which will have a very objective automatic correction with no margin for error, and Test 4 for “Written Expression”, with a correction of greater subjectivity according to the examiner or examiner.

In Block No. 2 you will find “Listening Comprehension” Test 2, which will have automatic correction, and “Oral Expression and Interaction” Test 4, which will be evaluated by two people: an evaluator who will give a more general grade and another person will evaluate you in a more specific and analytical way.

All tests are worth exactly the same: 25 points each.

What score do you need to achieve to be eligible?

To obtain your Apt you must have a score of 30 points or more in each block, that is, at least 30 points in Block No1 and at least 30 points in Block No2, which corresponds to 60% of the exam.

For example, if you obtain the maximum score in one of the blocks, of 50 points, but less than 30 points in the other block, it will not be enough to obtain the Eligible.

As we mentioned, each block consists of two tests and each one is worth 25 points. If in one of these you have obtained a very low score but in the rest you score more points, you can reach the minimum 30 points you need for the block to be Eligible, although the result you obtain later in the other block will be important.

Correction Criteria

Both the DELE Written Test and the Oral Test are awarded a holistic score equivalent to 40% and that evaluates your performance in a general way.

In the specific case of Test 4 of “Oral Expression and Interaction”, that holistic rating is decided by the interviewer according to your intervention in the exam room.

In addition to the holistic rating, there will be an analytical grade.

In all cases there will be 4 grade options for each point. These scales can give you 0 (you haven't been able to do it or you haven't answered), 1 (you've tried but you're not at the right level), 2 (the minimum required to be eligible) or 3 (level of excellence).

What is taken into account to evaluate?

Tests 3 and 4 take into account COHERENCE, that is, the structuring of your written and oral speech. If your text or oral expression are logical and the concepts are cohesive with different connectors, this will raise your score.

In both tests, also, REACH is considered, that is, your ability to master vocabulary. If this is specific and necessary to express yourself, without too many repetitions and using synonyms, this will score points.

At the same time, grammatical and spelling CORRECTION is especially considered.

On the other hand, in the Oral Test, FLUIDITY is very much taken into account, and here it is expected that you do not take very long pauses or go blank and you can be clear and understandable in what you describe.

The Written Test, meanwhile, takes into account the APPROPRIATENESS of your text to what the task asks for and, above all, to the requested record or format.

How long do results take?

The delivery of DELE results usually takes about 3 months. Although the “Listening Comprehension” and “Reading Comprehension” parts are instantly corrected by a machine and the Oral Test score is defined after you leave the exam room, the “Written Expression” test is the one that delays the correction process, since all the written ones are corrected by a group of experts in Salamanca. After 3 months, you'll get your DELE test results.

I hope these data have been useful for you to understand what are the main criteria for correcting the DELE exam. Here you can watch an explanatory video about what you just read: Do you have questions about the DELE evaluation system? Do you want to know what they are looking for and expecting from you? We will clearly analyze how both the oral and written parts are corrected and what grade is needed in each test to get the Apt.

Tests and scoring

In the DELE exam, you can only obtain an Eligible or Not Eligible, meaning that there are no other types of intermediate grades. If you don't qualify, you can apply again for a next call.

With the exception of levels C2 and the exam for students from A2-B2, the score of the rest of the exams between levels A1 and C1 share the same structure and score.

The exam is divided into 2 blocks that are worth 50 points each, so the sum of both will give 100 points. In turn, each block contains two tests worth 25 points each.

In Block No1 you will find Test 1 for “Reading Comprehension”, which will have a very objective automatic correction with no margin for error, and Test 4 for “Written Expression”, with a correction of greater subjectivity according to the examiner or examiner.

In Block No2 you will find “Listening Comprehension” Test 2, which will have automatic correction, and “Oral Expression and Interaction” Test 4, which will be evaluated by two people: an evaluator who will give a more general score and another person will evaluate you in a more specific and analytical way.

All tests are worth exactly the same: 25 points each.

What score do you need to achieve to be eligible?

To obtain your Apt you must have a score of 30 points or more in each block, that is, at least 30 points in Block No1 and at least 30 points in Block No2, which corresponds to 60% of the exam.

For example, if you obtain the maximum score in one of the blocks, of 50 points, but less than 30 points in the other block, it will not be enough to obtain the Eligible.

As we mentioned, each block consists of two tests and each one is worth 25 points. If in one of these you have obtained a very low score but in the rest you get more points, you can reach the minimum 30 points you need for the block to be Eligible, although the result you obtain later in the other block will be important.

Correction Criteria

Both the DELE Written Test and the Oral Test give a holistic score equivalent to 40% and that evaluates your performance in a general way.

In the specific case of Test 4 of “Oral Expression and Interaction”, that holistic rating is decided by the interviewer according to your intervention in the exam room.

In addition to the holistic rating, there will be an analytical grade.

In all cases there will be 4 grade options for each point. These scales can give you 0 (you haven't been able to do it or you haven't answered), 1 (you've tried but you're not at the right level), 2 (the minimum required to have the Apt) or 3 (level of excellence).

What is taken into account to evaluate?

Tests 3 and 4 take into account COHERENCE, that is, the structuring of your written and oral speech. If your text or oral expression are logical and the concepts are cohesive with different connectors, this will raise your score.

In both tests, also, REACH is considered, that is, your ability to master vocabulary. If this is specific and necessary to express yourself, without too many repetitions and using synonyms, this will score points.

At the same time, grammatical and spelling CORRECTION is especially considered.

On the other hand, in the Oral Test, FLUIDITY is very much taken into account, and here it is expected that you do not take very long pauses or go blank and that you can be clear and understandable in what you describe.

The Written Test, meanwhile, takes into account the APPROPRIATENESS of your text to what the assignment asks of you and, above all, to the requested record or format.

How long do results take?

The delivery of DELE results usually takes about 3 months. Although the “Listening Comprehension” and “Reading Comprehension” parts are instantly corrected by a machine and the Oral Test score is defined after you leave the exam room, the “Written Expression” test is the one that delays the correction process, since all the written tests are corrected by a group of experts in Salamanca. After 3 months, you'll get your DELE test results.

I hope these data have been useful for you to understand what are the main criteria for correcting the DELE exam. Here you can watch an explanatory video about what you just read:

Here you can see how the DELE C2 is evaluated, which is different:

If you want to prepare effectively and strategically and go to the exam with all the confidence and confidence you need to get the APT, sign up for my course: https://aporeldele.com/cursos