Direct Answer: Total Number of Questions in DELE A1
The Spanish DELE A1 exam contains 50 objective questions in total.
These 50 questions are divided into:
- 25 questions in the Reading section
- 25 questions in the Listening section
In addition to these objective questions, the exam also includes:
- 2 writing tasks
- 3 speaking tasks
So if you are asking strictly:
“How many multiple-choice or objectively scored questions are there?”
The answer is 50.
If you are asking:
“How many total activities or tasks must I complete?”
Then the exam includes:
- 50 objective questions
- 2 writing tasks
- 3 speaking tasks
It is important to understand that the writing and speaking sections are task-based, not question-based. They are evaluated by examiners rather than marked as right or wrong answers.
This distinction removes a common confusion among candidates. Many learners assume the entire exam is made up of multiple-choice questions. It is not.
In the next sections, we will break down exactly how those 50 questions are distributed across reading and listening, and how the writing and speaking tasks fit into the overall structure.
Reading Section – Exact Number of Questions
How Many Reading Questions Are in DELE A1?
The Reading section of the Spanish DELE A1 exam contains 25 questions.
These 25 questions are divided across 4 reading tasks.
Structure of the Reading Section
The Reading section is designed to test basic comprehension of simple written texts such as:
- Short notices
- Advertisements
- Messages
- Basic informational texts
- Simple dialogues
The 25 questions are typically distributed like this:
- Task 1: 5 questions
- Task 2: 5 questions
- Task 3: 5 questions
- Task 4: 10 questions
Total: 25 questions
All reading questions are objective. This means:
- You select the correct answer.
- There is no partial marking.
- Each question contributes equally within the section.
Time Allotted for Reading
You are given 45 minutes for the Reading section.
That means:
- Approximately 1.8 minutes per question
- Including time to read instructions and texts
Understanding this helps you pace yourself properly. Many candidates lose time overanalyzing simple texts.
If you want a full structural breakdown of how the four reading tasks are designed, review
What Is the Spanish DELE A1 Exam Format?
Listening Section – Exact Number of Questions
How Many Listening Questions Are in DELE A1?
The Listening section of the Spanish DELE A1 exam also contains 25 questions.
Just like the Reading section, these 25 questions are divided across 4 listening tasks.
This means:
- Reading: 25 questions
- Listening: 25 questions
- Total objective questions so far: 50
Structure of the Listening Section
The Listening section evaluates your ability to understand simple spoken Spanish in everyday situations.
The 25 questions are typically distributed as:
- Task 1: 5 questions
- Task 2: 5 questions
- Task 3: 5 questions
- Task 4: 10 questions
Total: 25 questions
The format is objective. You choose the correct answer based on what you hear.
Are Audio Recordings Played More Than Once?
Yes. At A1 level:
- Each audio recording is played twice.
This is important because many candidates worry about missing information. The repetition is built into the structure.
Time Allotted for Listening
You are given 20 minutes for the Listening section.
Since the audio controls the timing, pacing works differently from reading. You cannot pause or replay recordings manually. You must listen carefully during both playbacks.
Understanding that Listening also contains 25 questions helps you balance preparation between Reading and Listening.
If you want to understand how these 50 objective questions impact your final result, review
How Does Scoring Work in the Spanish DELE A1 Exam
Writing Section – How Many Questions Does It Actually Have?
Does the Writing Section Have “Questions”?
Technically, no.
The Writing section of the Spanish DELE A1 exam does not contain multiple-choice questions. Instead, it includes 2 writing tasks.
This is where many candidates get confused. When someone asks, “How many questions are in DELE A1?”, they often assume writing also has numbered questions like reading or listening. It does not.
How Many Writing Tasks Are There?
There are 2 writing tasks:
- Task 1: Short written message
- Task 2: Slightly longer functional text
Both tasks require you to produce your own written response.
Word Limits
While exact wording instructions vary by session, generally:
- Task 1 requires a short text of around 30–40 words
- Task 2 requires a slightly longer response of around 40–60 words
The focus is clarity, not complexity.
Time Allotted for Writing
The Writing section is completed together with the Reading section.
Total time for Reading + Writing combined: 90 minutes
This means you must manage time carefully between:
- 25 reading questions
- 2 writing tasks
Understanding this is critical for pacing strategy.
Why Writing Is Not Counted in the 50 Questions
The commonly cited number of 50 questions refers only to:
- 25 reading questions
- 25 listening questions
Writing is examiner-assessed. It is not counted as objective questions.
If you want structured preparation for writing tasks specifically, review
How to Prepare for Spanish DELE A1 as a Complete Beginner
Speaking Section – How Many Tasks Are There?
Does the Speaking Section Have Questions?
No. Like the Writing section, the Speaking section does not contain multiple-choice questions.
Instead, it consists of 3 speaking tasks.
So again, when someone asks, “How many questions are in the Spanish DELE A1 exam?”, the correct technical answer is:
- 50 objective questions
- 2 writing tasks
- 3 speaking tasks
Speaking is interactive and examiner-assessed.
How Many Speaking Tasks Are There?
There are 3 structured speaking tasks:
- Personal Information Exchange
You answer basic questions about yourself. - Describing an Image
You describe a simple image or situation using basic vocabulary. - Interactive Task
A short role-play or guided conversation based on everyday situations.
Duration of the Speaking Section
The Speaking test lasts approximately 10 to 12 minutes per candidate.
Preparation time of around 10 minutes is usually given before the oral exam begins.
Unlike Reading and Listening, speaking is conducted face-to-face with examiners.
Why Speaking Is Not Counted as “Questions”
Speaking tasks are:
- Performance-based
- Evaluated using criteria
- Not marked right or wrong
This is why the total “question count” of DELE A1 remains 50 objective questions, even though the full exam includes additional written and oral components.
Understanding this distinction removes a major misunderstanding about the structure of the exam.
Total Question Count Summary
To remove any remaining confusion, here is the complete breakdown of the Spanish DELE A1 exam:
Objective Questions
- Reading: 25 questions
- Listening: 25 questions
Total objective questions: 50
These are multiple-choice or selection-based items with clearly correct answers.
Task-Based Sections
- Writing: 2 tasks
- Speaking: 3 tasks
These are examiner-assessed and are not counted as objective questions.
Full Exam Breakdown at a Glance
- 25 Reading questions
- 25 Listening questions
- 2 Writing tasks
- 3 Speaking tasks
So when someone asks:
“How many questions are in the Spanish DELE A1 exam?”
The precise answer is:
- 50 objective questions
- Plus 5 performance tasks
There are no hidden sections and no additional surprise components.
If you want to see how this structure fits into the overall exam layout, review
What Is the Spanish DELE A1 Exam Format?
Does the Number of Questions Ever Change?
Is the Question Count Fixed?
Yes. The number of questions in the Spanish DELE A1 exam is standardized and does not change from one session to another.
No matter:
- Which country you take the exam in
- Which month you register for
- Which testing center you choose
The structure remains the same:
- 25 Reading questions
- 25 Listening questions
- 2 Writing tasks
- 3 Speaking tasks
The content of the texts and recordings changes, but the format and number of questions remain consistent.
Is DELE A1 the Same Worldwide?
Yes. DELE exams are administered globally under the supervision of Instituto Cervantes. The structure is fixed and aligned with official standards.
This means:
- No region has more or fewer questions.
- No session introduces additional tasks.
- There are no “harder versions” with extra questions.
Consistency is part of the exam design.
Does the Structure Change Over Time?
While minor updates to content may occur over years, the core structure of DELE A1 remains stable.
The number of objective questions has remained fixed at 50, divided equally between Reading and Listening.
Understanding this helps candidates prepare with confidence. There is no need to anticipate unexpected changes in question count.
How Knowing the Question Count Helps You Prepare Strategically
Knowing that the Spanish DELE A1 exam contains 50 objective questions changes how you approach preparation.
This is not just a statistic. It directly affects your study plan, pacing strategy, and practice method.
1. Time Management Becomes Clear
You know that:
- 25 questions must be completed in the Reading section
- 25 questions must be completed in the Listening section
Since Reading shares time with Writing, you must divide your 90 minutes wisely.
If you practice with timed simulations that reflect the exact 25-question structure, you reduce exam-day surprises.
For a structured preparation approach, review
How to Prepare for Spanish DELE A1 as a Complete Beginner
2. Practice Volume Becomes Measurable
If the exam has 50 objective questions, then your practice should reflect that number.
Instead of solving random exercises, simulate:
- Full 25-question reading blocks
- Full 25-question listening blocks
This builds stamina and accuracy.
If you are unsure how much repetition is sufficient, review
How Much Practice Is Enough for Spanish DELE A1
3. You Avoid Overestimating the Exam
Many beginners imagine the exam contains 100 or more questions. That assumption increases anxiety.
In reality:
- There are only 50 objectively scored questions.
- The rest of the exam consists of short, manageable tasks.
Understanding this reduces psychological pressure.
If you are wondering whether the exam feels overwhelming overall, review
Is Spanish DELE A1 Difficult for Beginners?
4. Balanced Skill Preparation Becomes Logical
Since 25 questions come from Reading and 25 from Listening, preparation must remain balanced.
You cannot rely entirely on grammar drills and ignore listening exposure.
If you want a structured system that aligns grammar mastery with objective practice volume, explore
The Complete Spanish DELE A1 Package by My Language Classes
Understanding the exact number of questions removes uncertainty. Clarity improves control. Control improves performance.
Key Takeaway
The Spanish DELE A1 exam contains:
- 25 Reading questions
- 25 Listening questions
This means there are 50 objective questions in total.
In addition, the exam includes:
- 2 Writing tasks
- 3 Speaking tasks
Only Reading and Listening contain numbered, objectively scored questions. Writing and Speaking are performance-based and evaluated by examiners.
The structure is fixed worldwide and does not change between exam sessions.
If someone asks, “How many questions are in the Spanish DELE A1 exam?”, the precise and complete answer is:
50 objective questions, plus 5 task-based components.
Conclusion
Clarity about the number of questions in the Spanish DELE A1 exam removes unnecessary uncertainty.
There are no hidden sections. No additional surprise components. No variable formats. The exam is structured, predictable, and standardized:
- 25 Reading questions
- 25 Listening questions
- 2 Writing tasks
- 3 Speaking tasks
When you understand exactly what you are walking into, preparation becomes more focused. You can practice with realistic simulations, manage time effectively, and distribute effort across skills appropriately.
Precision builds confidence. And confidence, supported by structured preparation, leads to stronger performance on exam day.
Vikas Kumar is a multilingual educator, language specialist, and book author, and the founder of My Language Classes, an independent language learning platform dedicated to structured, clarity-driven language education.
With over eight years of professional experience working with languages, Vikas has taught and supported learners across English, Spanish, and Japanese, helping them build strong grammatical foundations, practical usage skills, and long-term accuracy. His work focuses on eliminating confusion in language learning by emphasizing structure, patterns, and real usage over rote memorization.
Vikas has worked as a Japanese language expert with multiple multinational organizations, supporting cross-border communication, translation, and language-driven operations in professional environments. Alongside his corporate experience, he has spent several years teaching Japanese and Spanish independently, designing lessons tailored to academic goals, professional needs, and exam preparation.
As an author, Vikas writes structured language learning books that focus on grammar mastery, clarity of usage, and exam-oriented accuracy. His published works include guides on English tenses, verb types, and prepositions, as well as Spanish learning resources aligned with DELE A1 preparation. His books are designed for self-learners, educators, and serious students who want depth, not shortcuts.
Through My Language Classes, he publishes comprehensive learning resources covering grammar, vocabulary, and language learning strategy across English, Spanish, and Japanese. The platform is built for learners at different stages, with a strong emphasis on logical progression, clear explanations, and practical application.
Vikas also closely follows developments in AI and its impact on language learning, with a focus on how emerging tools can support education without replacing foundational understanding. His work consistently advocates for structure-first learning in an increasingly automated world.
Readers can explore Vikas’s language learning books and structured programs through My Language Classes, including resources for English grammar mastery, Spanish DELE A1 preparation, and multilingual language education. Online classes and guided learning options are also available for learners seeking focused instruction.
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