At DELF B2, every test is marked out of 25, and a mark below 5 out of 25 in any single test is eliminatory, according to the official candidate manual. The speaking test is the one candidates fear most, partly because it is the only one done alone, in front of two examiners. It is also the most predictable: the format never changes, and the marking grid is public. Knowing exactly what that grid rewards is the fastest way to stop guessing.
How does the DELF B2 speaking test work?
It is one individual test of at most 20 minutes, preceded by 30 minutes of preparation, and it has two parts that always come in the same order. You arrive 30 minutes early, receive two topics, read both and choose the one you prefer. Each topic is a short document that sets off a debate. Two examiners are in the room, and they take notes on both your mistakes and your successes.
- Part 1, the monologue: you present the document, state its problem, give your own point of view with arguments and examples. It lasts 5 to 7 minutes.
- Part 2, the debate: the examiner questions you about what you said, and you react and defend your position.
Use the 30 minutes to write keywords and a plan, not full sentences. Reading from a script is the classic way to lose points on pronunciation and rhythm.
What do examiners score in the monologue?
The monologue is graded on whether you identify the issue, take a clear position and organise your talk, not on how much you know about the topic. In the candidate manual's grid, this part is marked out of 7, split between two groups of skills.
- Draw out the theme and main ideas of the document, formulate a clear problem, announce your plan (1.5 points).
- Present your point of view, argue it and give precise examples (3 points).
- Link your ideas in a logical order, with an introduction, a development and a conclusion, using varied connectors (2.5 points).
A reliable opening might be: "Ce document traite de la place du télétravail. La question qui se pose est la suivante : le télétravail améliore-t-il vraiment la qualité de vie ?" (This document deals with the place of remote work. The question is this: does remote work really improve quality of life?) Then announce your plan: "Je vais d'abord présenter les avantages, puis les limites." (First I will present the advantages, then the limits.)
What do examiners score in the debate?
The debate rewards reacting, nuancing and defending your view, so an examiner who pushes back is giving you points to win. This part is marked out of 6. The manual lists two blocks of three points: confirming your opinion, varying your arguments to add nuance, giving precision and expressing concession; then showing agreement or disagreement, reacting to what the examiner says and defending your position.
Useful phrases the manual itself suggests:
- "Je comprends ce que vous dites, mais..." (I understand what you are saying, but...)
- "Oui, c'est vrai. Toutefois, ..." (Yes, that is true. However, ...)
- "Je ne suis pas d'accord avec vous parce que..." (I do not agree with you because...)
- "Pourriez-vous reformuler, s'il vous plaît ?" (Could you rephrase, please?)
Asking for a rephrase is allowed and far better than answering a question you did not understand.
How is your language graded across the whole test?
Vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation are marked once for the entire test, out of 10 points, on top of the two parts above. The manual splits them into three criteria.
| Criterion | Points | What it looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | 3 | B2 words suited to the theme, synonyms instead of repetition |
| Grammar | 4 | Complex sentences, past tenses, agreement, self-correction |
| Pronunciation | 3 | Clear speech, natural pace, varied intonation |
Self-correction is worth noticing: the grid rewards candidates who catch and fix their own errors. Fluency matters more than perfection, so a quick "enfin, plutôt..." (well, rather...) followed by the right form beats freezing.
How should you train before the exam?
Practise the full sequence aloud, with a timer, on real topics, and ideally with someone who will disagree with you. Reading about the format is not training. Do a 30 minute preparation, speak for 6 minutes, then have someone push back on your argument for another 10. Record yourself and check the three things the grid checks: a clear problem statement, connectors, and reactions to objections.
If you want a native speaker to play the examiner, Yann, a certified French teacher, runs exactly this kind of mock oral. Book a free trial lesson at frenchwithyann.com and bring a topic you find hard.
Common questions
How long is the DELF B2 speaking test?
The test lasts 20 minutes at most, and you get 30 minutes beforehand to prepare. The first part, your monologue, runs 5 to 7 minutes, and the debate fills the rest.
What score do I need on the DELF B2 oral?
Each of the four tests is marked out of 25, and you need at least 50 out of 100 overall to pass. You also need at least 5 out of 25 in every test, so a very weak oral can sink the whole diploma.
Do I have to agree with the examiner in the debate?
No, and the manual encourages you to disagree politely. What is marked is that you react to what they say, nuance your ideas and defend your position, not that you reach agreement.