Instituto Cervantes (on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education)
DELE B2 (Spanish)
Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera — Nivel B2
An official, lifelong Spanish-language diploma issued by Spain's Instituto Cervantes. The B2 level certifies upper-intermediate proficiency and is widely accepted for university study, professional registration, and residency in Spanish-speaking countries.
What's on the exam
DELE B2 examination structure (Instituto Cervantes)
Comprensión de lectura (Reading)
25%Authentic informational and opinion texts · Matching texts to statements · Multiple-choice comprehension · Cloze and grammar in context · Inference and writer intent
Comprensión auditiva (Listening)
25%Conversations and interviews · Monologues and announcements · News and reports · Detail and main-idea questions · Speaker attitude and register
Expresión e interacción escritas (Writing)
25%Formal letters and emails based on input · Argumentative and discursive essays · Coherence and cohesion · Register and tone · Grammatical range and accuracy
Expresión e interacción orales (Speaking)
25%Prepared monologue and proposal · Photo description and discussion · Spontaneous informal conversation · Fluency and pronunciation · Interaction and argumentation
Frequently asked questions
How much does the DELE B2 (Spanish) cost?
Fees vary. Fees vary by country and center (commonly ~$170–230 for B2); set by the local examination center.
How long is the DELE B2 (Spanish) and how many questions does it have?
Reading 36 items (4 tasks); Listening 30 items (5 tasks); Writing 2 tasks; Speaking 3 tasks — Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes total (Reading 70 min; Listening 40 min; Writing 80 min; Speaking ~20 min plus 20 min preparation).
What do you need to pass the DELE B2 (Spanish)?
Pass requires at least 30/50 in Group 1 (reading + writing) and 30/50 in Group 2 (listening + speaking).
Can you retake the DELE B2 (Spanish)?
May re-sit at a future examination session.
What is the best way to study for the DELE B2 (Spanish)?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Comprensión de lectura (Reading) 25%, Comprensión auditiva (Listening) 25%, Expresión e interacción escritas (Writing) 25%, Expresión e interacción orales (Speaking) 25%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.
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