The DALF exam is designed for:

• adults
• Teenagers aged 16 and older, outside a school setting
• Learners of French as a foreign language, regardless of background, goals, or learning context (personal, academic, or professional), and wish to certify an advanced level of language proficiency

The upcoming sessions are:

March 2026:

• C1: Friday, March 13
• C2: Monday, March 9

June 2026: :

• C1: Friday, June 19
• C2: Monday, March 9

November 2026: :

• C1: Friday, November 27
• C2: Monday, November 23

Exact schedules and information on exam duration will be sent to candidates by email before the exam.

Each exam evaluates four language skills:

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

DALF exams follow a specific structure, with topics, materials, and instructions adapted to complex situations and the academic, professional, and personal needs of candidates.

Written exams (listening, reading, writing):

• DALF C1: 4 hours
• DALF C2: 3 hours 30 minutes

Oral exam (speaking):

• DALF C1: 60 minutes preparation + 30 minutes speaking
• DALF C2: 90 minutes listening/preparation + 30 minutes speaking

Please make yourself available the whole day, the speaking part will be before or after the group test, one after one.

Schedules will not be subject to change or negotiation. You will receive a notification around 2 weeks prior to the exam with the time for each part.

To obtain the diploma, candidates must achieve at least 50/100 overall, with a minimum of 5/25 in each section. Any score below 5 in an individual section is failing.

DALF has two levels: C1 and C2.

• C1 (Advanced): Candidates can understand complex texts, express themselves clearly and in a structured manner on a variety of topics, and argue in detail in academic, professional, and social situations.
• C2 (Mastery): Candidates demonstrate near-native proficiency, can understand and synthesize long and complex texts, produce clear, coherent, and nuanced discourse, and communicate spontaneously in any situation

If you’re unsure of your level, you can take an online self-assessment (Evalang, recommended from age 16). The cost of this assessment is to determine the DALF level that suits you best. The evaluation costs $20 CAD.

The exam fee (C1 or C2) is $390 CAD ($335 + $55 admin)

No. DALF exams are only available in person at our exam centers in Toronto and North York.

Registration is done entirely online through the Alliance Française portal: Create an account.

For candidates under 18:

1. Create your parent account
2. Create your child’s profile (click Manage Family Member)
3. Select your child as a participant and complete registration

General steps: :

1. Choose your level and exam center
2. Answer the required questions. Check all information carefully—it will appear on the diploma
3. Pay if you want your diploma mailed

No. The DALF must be taken in full. The complete exam includes:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

You will receive an automatic receipt (not your official exam invitation).

The official invitation will be sent by email roughly two weeks before the exam (check spam folders).

📌 The schedule on the invitation applies only to group tests. Candidates must be available all day for the speaking test.

⚠️ Schedules cannot be changed or negotiated.

The invitation includes:

• Your name
• Exam center address
• Schedule for each exam component (speaking + group tests)

Cancellations and transfers are only possible during the registration period. Requests after the deadline will not be accepted.

Administrative fees of $50 apply.

In case of illness, send an official medical certificate to your exam center. You may register for the next available session. Candidates are responsible for re-registering and checking available dates.

Exam center contacts:

• Spadina : toronto.exam@alliance-francaise.ca
• North York : northyork.exam@alliance-francaise.ca

Check your registration confirmation carefully and report any errors before the exam. No changes can be made after validation. Corrections on the diploma are possible but incur a fee and may take several weeks.

• Exam invitation (printed or on phone)
• Valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license, student ID, or health card with photo)
  Health cards without a photo and birth certificates are not accepted
• Blue or black pen (no markers). Pencils not allowed)
• Water bottle

Important:

• Phones must be switched off and stored
• No materials are allowed except the exam copy and scratch paper provided
• A French monolingual dictionary is available during preparation for the DALF C1 oral exam and for the entire DALF C2 exam
• Any cheating will be sanctioned by the France Éducation Internationale disciplinary board

For accommodations (extra time, specific assistance, etc.), contact the exam coordinator before registration closes and provide all required documentation.

Results are emailed roughly six weeks after the exam.

Each paper is graded by two certified examiners using standardized rubrics from France Éducation International. This ensures fairness and reliability. Results are final and cannot be appealed.

Review is possible within one year by appointment at the center where the exam was taken.

Only the candidate (or parents for minors) may review the paper. Photocopying, photographing, scanning, or note-taking is strictly prohibited. No extra information about grading can be provided.

Diplomas are printed in France and received at the exam center roughly four months after the exam.

To have the diploma mailed, payment must be made at registration.