Language tests for French residency cards - levels explained with examples of questions asked
Language tests will need to be taken by Britons, Americans and other non-EU nationalities applying for certain cards
To reach A2 level in French you need to be able to understand simple phrases and commonly used expressions that you might come across in everyday lifeJuan Ci/Shutterstock
People applying for many (but not all) types of French residency cards will be obliged to take a French test – and pass it – to stay in France according to rules set to come into force by January 1, 2026, at the latest.
Applicants subject to the tests will have to demonstrate an A2 level of French language proficiency on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale when applying for multi-year residency cards (for example, for many employees and self-employed people) and B1 level for a 10-year carte de résident (up from A2).
The Connexion explained who will be subject to the tests, and what types of residency cards they apply to, in this article.
Reading, writing, listening and speaking all tested
Four skill sections of reading, writing, listening and speaking are tested at a basic level for the A2 test and a higher level for the B1 test. So what do these levels mean and how good does your French need to be to pass the tests?
The CEFR is an international standard that is used to measure language ability. It sets six skill levels from basic at level A, ‘independent user’ (intermediate) at B up to ‘proficient’ (advanced) at level C.
To prove you meet the required language level, the Ministry of the Interior site lists the options available.
You can take a French language proficiency test (TCF) or French evaluation test (TEF) to obtain a certificate showing your level.
Various French educational diplomas at an appropriate level are also accepted, such as the Diplôme d'études en langue française (diploma in French language studies; DELF), as well as certain French professional qualifications (such as a CAP).
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Laurence Saunders of La Petite Maison des Langues Language School in Dordogne told The Connexion the TCF is ‘a test that will give you a level, not a ‘pass/fail’ result. You have to go through the test for a computer to validate a level'.
In many cases, if you are weaker on other elements (reading, writing, listening), then 'speaking skills often come to the rescue when you take the speaking part of the test and often balance things out'.
A2 level
To reach A2 level in French you will need everyday language skills. This means you would have the following abilities:
Understand single phrases and frequently used expressions related to everyday topics (eg. simple personal and family information, shopping, work).
Be able to communicate in simple and routine tasks that require only a straightforward exchange of information on familiar and common subjects.
Be able to describe, using simple language, your education, immediate surroundings, and discuss topics related to immediate needs.
For A2 level, you must also know the basics of French grammar including being able to use the present tense and form simple sentences correctly.
Vocabulary needed for A2 includes essential words you would use day to day, such as for food, family or transport. Numbers, dates and times would also be tested as well as knowing basic adjectives to describe people and things such as grand and petit.
Some examples of sentences you might need to understand and respond to, whether in written or oral tests (eg. in role-plays), at A2 level are:
Où habites-tu ?
Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes de crédit ?
J’ai un rendez-vous à 15h.
Je suis allergique aux noix.
Est-ce qu’il y a un bus pour le centre-ville ?
The main focus of the test is responding to questions but you should be able to ask basic, direct questions to gain simple information for the oral exam.
You can access an official example DELF A2 test paper online to get a good idea of the test level (an example of the TCF can be found here). The excerpts below are taken from this paper.
For the listening test, you might have tasks such as listening to a short bus announcement and selecting the correct multiple choice answer about what you should do. Listen to the start of Exercice 1:
Qu’est-ce que vous devez faire?
A [] Monter dans le bus.
B [] Avancer dans le bus.
C [] Attendre le prochain bus.
With the written understanding test, the type of requirement that may be asked is to read the instructions for an ice cream machine and answer questions about it from multiple choice answers:
Ce document vous propose de faire des glaces
A [] au yaourt.
B [] aux fruits.
C [] au chocolat.
Pour réussir votre glace, vous devez faire très attention
A [] à la température de l’eau.
B [] au nombre d’œufs utilisés.
C [] à la durée de marche de la machine.
An example A2 written test question could be replying to a wedding invitation. You would be expected to write 60 words minimum for your answer:
Vous avez reçu ce faire-part de mariage. Vous envoyez un courriel à vos amis pour les féliciter de leur mariage. Vous acceptez leur invitation et vous dites avec qui vous viendrez. Vous posez quelques questions sur l’organisation.
B1 level
Reaching B1 level French means you now have intermediate language skills which would include the following abilities:
Understand the essential points of a discussion when clear and standard language is used, and when the topic is familiar (eg. work, school, leisure).
Be independent in most situations encountered while travelling in French speaking areas.
Be able to produce simple and coherent speech on familiar topics and areas of interest.
Be able to tell a story, explain an experience, or dream, describe a hope or goal, and briefly explain reasons or justifications for a project or idea.
More advanced grammar knowledge is needed for the B1 test including more complex sentence structure, using past, present and future tenses.
At this level, a wider range of vocabulary is expected so that you could deal with most of the familiar topics you come across in life including family, leisure, work travel and news.
At this intermediate level, example sentences you would need to understand and be able to respond to, both in writing and speech, include:
Raconte-moi une expérience qui t'a marqué(e).
J’ai décidé de changer de travail pour avoir plus de temps avec ma famille.
La semaine dernière, j’ai organisé une surprise pour l’anniversaire de mon ami.
Si tu veux améliorer ton français, il est important de pratiquer tous les jours.
Pouvez-vous me dire comment fonctionne ce système ? Je ne comprends pas bien.
At B1 level, it would also be expected that candidates can ask more detailed and specific questions themselves, such as clarifying information.
An official example DELF B1 test can be found online to help you understand what is involved. The examples below are taken from this paper.
For the B1 listening test, an example would be listening to a radio programme and answering specific questions about the topic covered from a multiple choice selection. Listen to Exercice 2 that goes with the questions below:
Grâce à Un regard pour toi, les personnes malvoyantes peuvent acheter leurs vêtements...
A [] accompagnées par un bénévole.
B [] dans des magasins spécialisés.
C [] sur le site internet de l’association.
Hayette trouve que les employés des magasins sont trop...
A [] curieux.
B [] occupés.
C [] désagréables.
Les collègues d’Hayette...
A [] lui donnent des conseils.
B [] sont surpris par sa façon de s’habiller.
C [] veulent savoir où elle trouve ses vêtements.
Quel appel lance Hayette ?
A [] Elle a besoin de personnes pour l’aider.
B [] Elle invite les malvoyants à la contacter.
C [] Elle recherche un local pour l’association.
The written comprehension test would ask you to read a longer text, such as a web article about the impact of holiday rentals on the housing market (page 9 of this exam paper). You would then answer around seven multiple choice questions on the topic.
For B1 level, you would be expected to write a minimum of 160 words for your written test answer. Below is an example question:
Vous recevez ce mail de Louisa, une amie française. Vous répondez à Louisa. Vous lui donnez votre opinion en lui donnant des exemples d’expériences diverses.
There are answer sheets available for the DELF A2 and B1 example tests to check how you did!
Connexion readers share online tools to estimate your level
Connexion readers have shared online tools that enable you to estimate your language level under the CEFR scale. These can only offer an approximation and are not official resources, and do not cover each and every one of the four skills assessed in official tests (reading, writing, listening and speaking) however you may find them useful to try:
