Spanish exams and certificates

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Taking the wrong certificate wastes fees and time, because each exam has a different issuer, validity period and level of acceptance. After reading, you will know which exam fits your purpose, how it works and how to book and prepare.

Start with "Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?". It helps you pick the exam accepted for your work, study or personal purpose. From there, move on to the pages on how each exam works, university requirements, regulated professions, preparation and business Spanish certificates.

Exams for nationality (the CCSE and the DELE A2 used for it), residence route rules and the recognition of foreign credentials are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Results time: DELE results usually come about two to three months after the exam, while SIELE results come within about three weeks.
• DELE validity: A DELE diploma has no expiry date and is valid for life, although some institutions may still ask for a recent certificate.
• SIELE validity: A SIELE certificate is valid for five years from the date it is issued.
• DELE resit: If you fail DELE you must register and pay again for a later session and sit the whole exam again, because a single group cannot be retaken.
• Ask first: The institution that asks for the certificate decides which one counts, so check with it before booking.
• Nationality: Nationality applications need the CCSE test and the DELE A2 diploma.

Spanish exams and certificates: the whole process, step by step

• Decide which exam your purpose needs (read: Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?): Before you book anything. If an authority or employer names DELE, take DELE.

• Check what your university or professional body accepts (read: Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university, or Proving your Spanish for a regulated profession): Before you book, because each institution sets its own list and minimum level.

• Start preparing and choose a course type (read: Preparing for a Spanish exam and what the tasks look like): Weeks before the exam. Intensive exam-preparation courses typically last 1 to 8 weeks.

• Register for DELE through an accredited centre (read: How the DELE exam works: levels, booking, cost and results): Registration closes about a month or more before each session. DELE is held on fixed dates, normally in January or February, April, May, July, October and November.

• Or register for SIELE online (read: How the SIELE exam works and when it beats DELE): Registration normally closes some days before the session. Sessions are offered on many more dates, often several a month in many places.

• Or look at an official language school course (read: Spanish certificates from an official language school (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas)): Courses run over the school year, so plan well ahead and ask your nearest school whether it teaches Spanish for foreigners.

• Sit the exam with your ID or passport: On the session date. You must bring the same ID you registered with.

• Wait for your result: SIELE results come within about three weeks. See Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?.

• Use your certificate, or resit if you failed (read: What if you fail, miss the session or lose your certificate?): After the result. A SIELE certificate is valid for five years from the date it is issued. A DELE diploma has no expiry date.

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Valid ID or passport — How the DELE exam works: levels, booking, cost and results

Other documents

• SIELE certificate
• DELE diploma — Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?, Proving your Spanish for a regulated profession
• Exam-call letter and registration confirmation — How the DELE exam works: levels, booking, cost and results
• Certificate from a university language centre or the Instituto Cervantes — Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?
• Spanish Selectividad language exam result — Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?
• The result of the Spanish language exam from the Spanish university access exam — Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university
• A letter from your school or university confirming that your studies were — Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university
• A result from the university's own Spanish test — Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university
• A degree taught in Spanish — Proving your Spanish for a regulated profession
• A co-official language certificate — Proving your Spanish for a regulated profession

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Spanish exams and certificates: questions that cross several articles

Can I use SIELE instead of DELE for my nationality application?

No, SIELE is not accepted for nationality by residence, which requires the DELE plus the CCSE knowledge test. If an authority names DELE, take DELE. Read "Which Spanish exam do you need: DELE, SIELE or an EOI certificate?" and "How the SIELE exam works and when it beats DELE".

Which exam is faster to get if I am short of time?

SIELE is usually faster, because it is offered on many more dates and results come within about three weeks. DELE results usually come about two to three months after the exam. Read "How the SIELE exam works and when it beats DELE" and "How the DELE exam works: levels, booking, cost and results".

Does a Spanish university accept SIELE and DELE for admission?

Yes, most Spanish universities accept both for courses taught in Spanish, but each sets its own list and minimum level. Some also take an official language school certificate or other evidence of studies in Spanish. Read "Spanish exams for studying at a Spanish university".

Is an official language school certificate the same as a DELE?

No, a certificate from an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas is regional and is not part of the DELE or SIELE system. Only some regions and schools teach Spanish for foreigners, at levels up to B2 or C1. Read "Spanish certificates from an official language school (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas)".

Should I take an exam-preparation course before booking?

Yes, a short course helps if you are unfamiliar with the exam tasks and timing, since prep courses focus on test technique and mock exams. Options range from intensive private courses to tutoring and self-study. Read "Preparing for a Spanish exam and what the tasks look like".