The DELE C1 and C2 diplomas, issued by the Instituto Cervantes, certify an advanced and a proficient command of Spanish. The structure below summarises the exam as described in the official specifications; always check the latest Guía del examen on the official DELE website before registering, as details are updated from time to time.
DELE C1
| Prueba | Content | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Comprensión de lectura y uso de la lengua | long texts, missing fragments, cloze tests | 90 min |
| 2 · Comprensión auditiva y uso de la lengua | lectures, conversations, interviews | 50 min |
| 3 · Destrezas integradas: comprensión auditiva y expresión e interacción escritas | listen to a source, then write; a second writing task | 80 min |
| 4 · Destrezas integradas: comprensión de lectura y expresión e interacción orales | presentation from texts, conversation and negotiation | 20 min prep + 20 min |
DELE C2
| Prueba | Content | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Uso de la lengua, comprensión de lectura y auditiva | demanding texts and recordings, vocabulary and grammar in context | 105 min |
| 2 · Destrezas integradas: comprensión auditiva y de lectura y expresión e interacción escritas | several sources combined into written texts | 150 min |
| 3 · Destrezas integradas: comprensión de lectura y expresión e interacción orales | presentation, debate and conversation from sources | 20 min prep + 20 min |
Regla clave · Key rule
Both exams are scored by groups of skills: you must pass each group, not just reach a total. Work on your weakest skill first.
Estrategias
- Read the instructions twice: at C1–C2 many errors come from ignoring a requirement (register, number of words, points to cover).
- In integrated tasks, take structured notes: main idea, data, opinion.
- Train with real audio at natural speed: news, debates, lectures and podcasts from different countries.
- Keep a list of your recurrent errors (Units 66 and 86) and reread it before the exam.
- Do at least two full timed mock exams in the last month.