Tracking progress and knowing when to change teacher or method

Key rules

• Re-test interval: Take a full mock or placement test every 3 to 6 months.
• Method review: No measurable progress after 8 to 12 weeks of regular study means change your method or teacher.
• DELE pass mark: You need 30 of 50 in each of the two groups; one strong group cannot rescue a weak one.
• Marking: Have a teacher mark your writing and speaking practice.

Measure against the CEFR levels, not against a feeling

Progress is easiest to see when you compare yourself with the CEFR descriptors, the European scale for language levels. Use them as a checklist.

At B1 you can deal with most situations while travelling, write simple connected text on familiar topics, and describe experiences and plans.

At B2 you understand the main ideas of complex texts, including technical discussion in your field. You also talk with enough fluency and spontaneity that chatting with native speakers is not a strain for either side. You can write clear, detailed text and explain a viewpoint with its advantages and disadvantages.

For each descriptor, take a real task at your target level and ask yourself: can you do this without preparing? If not, that is your next thing to practise.

Use official sample exams

The Instituto Cervantes publishes sample DELE exams for B1 and B2 on its DELE site, under "Modelos de examen". They include the papers, listening audio, answer keys and marking criteria. The site layout can change, so start from the Instituto Cervantes DELE page.

Do a full sample test under timed conditions. Repeat it every few months and compare your results with the published criteria.

Reading and listening are easy to check against the answer keys. Writing and speaking are not: ask a teacher to mark them, because marking your own is unreliable.

How the DELE is scored

The exam has two groups of tasks, and each group is scored out of 50. Group 1 is reading and writing. Group 2 is listening and speaking. You need at least 30 of 50 in each group. A strong group does not make up for a weak one. The result is Apto (pass) or No apto (fail). If you fail one group, you generally have to resit the whole exam at a later sitting. Results come out online about two to three months after the sitting.

When to re-measure

Re-measure your level about every 3 to 6 months, using a full mock test or placement test. Moving from B1 to B2 is slow, often 150 to 200 guided hours per level, so shorter gaps show little change. Longer gaps can hide a plateau.

Between full tests, do short checks of one skill, such as a timed writing task or a listening test. Re-test sooner before an exam date or after you change method.

Signs you should change teacher or method

If you see no measurable progress after about 8 to 12 weeks of regular study, change your method or teacher. Look for these signals:

• You follow the lesson but cannot use the language in unprepared speech or writing.
• You repeat the same mistakes and nobody corrects them.
• You mostly read or listen and speak very little.
• Your teacher gives little or no feedback.
• Lessons happen mostly in your own language.
• Mock-test scores stay flat.
• You forget new vocabulary quickly because you never review it.
• Your motivation drops so far that you skip sessions.

A good course gives you plenty of understandable input, speaking and writing practice, corrections, and regular review. If one of these is missing, fix that first. Switching teacher is worth it when feedback and speaking practice are the missing pieces.

After a real DELE sitting

Check your results against the group scores. They show which skills to work on next. The timeline and FAQ below cover the steps and common questions.

Timeline and deadlines

• Do a short single-skill check, such as a timed writing task or a listening test: monthly, between full tests

• Re-measure your level with a full mock test or placement test: every 3 to 6 months

• Re-test sooner: before an exam date or after changing method

• Check your results after a real DELE sitting: about two to three months after the exam

Frequently asked questions

What score do I need to pass the DELE B1 or B2?

You need at least 30 out of 50 points (60%) in each of the two groups to pass the DELE B1 or B2. Group 1 combines reading and writing; group 2 combines listening and speaking.

Can I mark my own practice test?

You can mark reading and listening yourself, but writing and speaking should be marked by a teacher. Self-scoring those two is unreliable. Use the published marking criteria and answer keys from the sample papers on the Instituto Cervantes DELE site, under the model exams for your level.

What is the main difference between B1 and B2?

The main difference is that a B2 user handles complex and abstract topics and talks with native speakers without strain. A B1 user copes with familiar topics and simple connected text.