Exam preparation
The 5 steps of DELF B2 registration, 2026–2027 session dates, fees at Paris centres and abroad, and what to bring on exam day.
By Équipe DELF B2 · · · 8 min read
DELF B2 registration does not happen on a national website. Each approved exam centre runs its own sessions, deadlines and fees. That is what surprises most candidates. This guide explains how to register in 2026, step by step, with examples of dates and fees checked in October 2026.
You will also find the documents to bring, how long results take and why this is a good year to take the diploma. If you are new to the exam, start with our guide to the DELF B2 format and marking.
The process is the same all over the world. Only the deadlines and practical details change from one centre to another.
The DELF B2 tout public is for adults: study, work or citizenship. The junior version is for teenagers aged 12 to 17. The Pro version certifies French in a professional context. In every case you receive the same DELF B2 diploma.
Instituts français, Alliances Françaises, universities and some language schools run the exam. The official list of centres is on the France Education international website, the body that manages the diploma. Choose a centre near you: the speaking test may take place on a different day from the written papers.
Each centre runs several sessions a year. Registration usually closes 4 to 8 weeks before the written papers. Places are limited, especially in Paris. Register as soon as it opens rather than waiting for the deadline.
The file includes a registration form, a copy of valid photo ID and the payment. Some centres do everything online. Others ask you to email or visit first. Use the same ID for registration and on exam day.
A few days before the exam, the centre sends a notice. It gives the date, time and place of the written papers and the speaking test. Keep it safe: you will be asked for it at the door.
There is no single national calendar. Centres set their own sessions, often in February–March, May–June and between October and December. Check your centre's calendar before planning your revision.
Here are examples in Paris, checked in October 2026. Always confirm the dates with the centre:
To compare every centre in Paris and the Île-de-France region (fees, next sessions, oral timing), see our guide to DELF B2 exam centres in Paris.
Allow at least 8 to 12 weeks of preparation between registering and the exam if your level is close to B1. That is the time you need to work on all four papers and take two or three mock exams.
Each centre sets its own fee. In France, the DELF B2 tout public usually costs between €125 and €280. Paris sits at the top of the range. Abroad, the fee is set in local currency by the country's Institut or Alliance Française.
| Centre (Paris) | DELF B2 tout public fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sorbonne Nouvelle | €249 (€174.30 for its students) | Centre website, 2026–27 fees |
| CCFS – Sorbonne | €269 | Listed in September 2026, check |
| Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France | €280 | Listed in 2026, check |
Fees are usually not refunded if you miss the exam. Always check the current fee on the centre's website before paying. Some centres offer a reduced rate to their own enrolled students.
In France, about 140 centres are approved: university French-as-a-foreign-language centres, Alliances Françaises and language schools. In Paris, you can contact the Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France, the CCFS, Sorbonne Nouvelle or Sorbonne Université, among others.
Abroad, the exam is run by Instituts français and Alliances Françaises in more than 170 countries: Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Morocco, Egypt, India and many more. Search for "DELF" on the website of the Institut or Alliance in your city.
If you have a disability or special need, say so when you register. The centre and France Education international review possible arrangements, such as extra time or an adapted room.
To know exactly what to expect, practise under the same conditions. Our numbered DELF B2 tests follow the new format, with a timer, answers and a score out of 25 per paper.
The centre releases results a few weeks after the session, often between 4 and 8 weeks. You first receive a certificate of achievement. The official diploma arrives a few months later.
The DELF B2 is valid for life. If you fail, you can register again for the next session, with no limit. To pass, you need at least 50/100 overall and 5/25 in each paper.
Since 1 January 2026, the level of French required for naturalisation is B2, spoken and written. The DELF B2 is one of the accepted diplomas. Check the current rules on service-public.fr before you apply.
Most French universities ask for a B2 level for undergraduate entry. The DELF B2 often exempts you from the institution's own language test. Many schools and vocational programmes also ask for it.
The DELF B2 proves independent French. It is an asset for a job in France or a French-speaking country, and for some competitive exams.
Outside France, DELF B2 registration follows the same steps, but it almost always goes through the Institut français or Alliance Française in your city. A few pointers:
In every case, check your local centre's website: it sets the fee, the dates and the registration deadline.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | Choose the centre and session, take the level test. |
| 2 months before | Complete your DELF B2 registration and start a study plan. |
| 1 month before | Take a first full mock exam in real time. |
| 2 weeks before | Receive your notice of exam; check the written and speaking dates. |
| The day before | Get your notice, ID and pens ready; rest. |
Planning backwards from the exam date like this keeps your DELF B2 registration and your preparation in step.
Tell your centre as early as possible. The rules depend on the centre: some accept a transfer to a later session, especially with a medical certificate, others don't. DELF B2 registration fees are rarely refunded if you miss the exam. Read the centre's terms before paying, and keep a written record of every exchange.
If you already know the date doesn't suit you, it is better to wait for the next session than to register anyway: missing the exam costs you the fee and valuable preparation time.
The same applies if your level isn't ready yet. Registering for a later session and preparing properly is cheaper than paying twice. Take a mock exam before you pay: if you score below 45/100, give yourself a few more weeks.
Read next: before choosing a level, compare them in our guide to the DELF DALF levels. Still at school? The DELF B2 junior and scolaire has the same papers with topics suited to teenagers. In Paris, our list of DELF B2 exam centres gives fees and next sessions.
Read next: once registered, prepare each paper with our tips to pass the DELF B2.
Once your DELF B2 registration is confirmed, plan your revision weeks. Start with the free B2 level test to see which paper to work on first. Then follow the method for each paper:
Finish with two or three full mock exams in real time. You will arrive on the day knowing the rhythm of the exam, and your registration fee will be money well spent.
As soon as your centre opens registration, usually 2 to 3 months before the written papers. Registration often closes 4 to 8 weeks before the exam, and places go quickly in Paris.
It depends on the centre. Some, such as Sorbonne Nouvelle, only accept online registration. Others ask for a file by email or in person.
In France, roughly €125 to €280 depending on the centre. In Paris, expect €249 to €280. Abroad, the fee is set in local currency.
No. Each diploma is independent: you can register directly for the DELF B2.
The DELF B2 is one of the diplomas accepted to prove the B2 level required since 2026. Check the current list and other conditions on service-public.fr.
Usually 4 to 8 weeks after the session, depending on the centre. The certificate of achievement arrives before the official diploma.
The DELF B2 junior and its school version, for teenagers: the same papers and value as the adult DELF, with topics suited to young people. Who can take it, how to register and how to prepare.
· 8 min read
The DELF and DALF in one guide: the six levels from A1 to C2, how long each paper lasts, the pass marks, the versions for young learners, and the level needed for a residence permit, citizenship or university.
· 8 min read
A full new-format DELF B2 test to download as a PDF: all four papers, an explained answer key, the transcripts and links to the audio. Free, no sign-up.
· 8 min read
