Preparing for a Spanish exam and what the tasks look like

Key rules

• Practice papers: Official DELE model exams include audio and answer keys, and SIELE offers sample tests and a demo exam, all free on their official sites.
• Task types: Each exam and level has its own tasks, so check the format for your exact level before you study.
• Course choice: Exam-preparation courses train test technique and timing, while general Spanish courses build language skills.
• Public schools: Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas courses are cheaper but slower and aimed at their own certificates.

Start with the official practice papers

Practise on the real thing before you pay for anything else. Both exams publish free practice material.

• DELE: Instituto Cervantes publishes model exams for each level, from A1 to C2, with audio and answer keys. Find them on the DELE exam site, on the page for your level's exam model.
• SIELE: the official SIELE site has sample tests and a demo exam in the candidates section.

Websites get reorganised, so if a page has moved, search the site for "modelos de examen" (DELE) or "modelos y ejemplos" (SIELE). The resources and documents blocks below list where to look.

Do at least one full model exam under timed conditions. It shows you your weak sections and how the clock feels.

Know the tasks for your exam

Each exam has its own task types, so check the format for your exact level. As an example, DELE B2 is split into two groups and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes in total.

Group 1: written

• Comprensión de lectura (reading): 5 tasks with multiple choice, matching and gap-fill.
• Expresión e interacción escritas (writing): 2 tasks, a formal letter or article and an essay-type text.

Group 2: listening and speaking

• Comprensión auditiva (listening): 5 tasks based on conversations, radio and talks, with multiple choice and matching.
• Expresión e interacción orales (speaking): 4 tasks with an examiner: presenting a topic, a conversation, describing a photo and a discussion. You get preparation time before speaking.

Instituto Cervantes can revise the format, so check your level's current model exam before you rely on these numbers.

Choose a preparation course

Exam-preparation courses teach test technique, timing and mock exams. General Spanish courses build your language more broadly. If your level is already close to the exam level, choose exam preparation. If it is not, build your Spanish first.

Your options:

• Intensive exam courses at private language schools and universities. They usually last 1 to 8 weeks, in person or online, and focus on exam tasks and timing.
• Instituto Cervantes centres. They offer official preparation and mock exams.
• Public Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas. They are cheaper and run over the school year. They aim at their own certificates, so they are a slower, indirect route to DELE or SIELE.
• One-to-one tutoring, if you want feedback on writing and speaking.
• Self-study with published workbooks or online platforms, combined with the official model exams.

Costs, intensity and flexibility differ a lot, so compare a few options and ask whether the course includes mock exams marked by a teacher. The timeline below shows how the course options fit together.

Timeline and deadlines

• Take an intensive exam-preparation course at a private school, university or Instituto Cervantes centre: typically 1 to 8 weeks, in person or online

• Join a public Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas course if you prefer a cheaper, slower option: over the whole school year

Documents you need

• DELE model exam for your level, with audio and answer keys, from the Instituto Cervantes DELE site. Optional, but the best practice material.

• SIELE sample tests and demo exam from the candidates section of the official SIELE site. Optional, and only if you are sitting SIELE.

Official sample papers and exam information sources

Where to find official sample papers

• Instituto Cervantes (DELE exam site): Download the DELE model exams for your level, with audio and answer keys, from the page for that level's exam model. More examples for each level are on the Instituto Cervantes exam site.

Frequently asked questions

How many tasks does the DELE B2 exam have?

The DELE B2 exam has 16 tasks in total, split across four sections. Reading has 5 tasks, Writing 2, Listening 5 and Speaking 4. The whole exam takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Are Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas courses good exam preparation?

Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas courses are cheaper than private schools, but they run over the school year and aim at their own certificates. For a short, test-focused course, look at intensive courses of 1 to 8 weeks at private schools, universities or Instituto Cervantes centres.

Can I try a SIELE sample test before booking?

Yes, SIELE offers sample tests and a demo exam for candidates on its official site, in the section with exam models and examples. Try them first to get used to the format and timing.

Do DELE model exams include audio and answers?

Yes, the DELE model exams come with audio for the listening tasks and answer keys.