I’ve recently seen many friends on the forum discussing the DELE exam. Since I just passed it last year, I thought I’d share my own self-study experience to help everyone who’s currently working hard. I’m no expert, just a regular office worker who managed to pass by squeezing in study time, so my approach to DELE self-study might be more suitable for the average person.
My Prep Background and Textbook Choices
My goal was the DELE B2, and my preparation period was about six months. Since I have a full-time job, I could only study in the evenings and on weekends. For textbooks, I primarily used ‘Preparación al DELE’ and ‘El Cronómetro.’ The former is very systematic, breaking down training into listening, speaking, reading, and writing sections with detailed explanations. The latter is a large collection of mock exams, perfect for final-sprint practice. I recommend using both: use ‘Preparación’ to build a solid foundation initially, and then use ‘Cronómetro’ to get a feel for the exam in the later stages.
Of the four sections—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—I found listening and speaking to be the most difficult, which is a common pain point for self-learners. For listening, I repeatedly listened to past exam questions. The first time, I’d listen normally; the second time, I’d listen while reading the transcript, noting down any unfamiliar words and expressions. For speaking, you have to create your own environment. I found a language exchange partner, and we would chat for an hour every week using topics from past DELE oral exams. This method was incredibly effective as it forced me to speak.
Recommended Study Schedule
Proper time management is key to success. I made a simple table to manage my progress, which looked something like this:
| Prep Phase | Time Allotment | Main Tasks |
|---|
| Phase 1 | 8-10 hours/week | Systematically study ‘Preparación al DELE’, solidify grammar, and build vocabulary |
| Phase 2 | 10-12 hours/week | Start working through ‘El Cronómetro’ mock exams, analyze mistakes, and focus on weak areas |
| Phase 3 | 15+ hours/week | Final sprint, complete one full mock exam daily under timed conditions to get used to the exam pace |
Finally, preparing for the DELE is a marathon, and your mindset is crucial. Don’t get discouraged by a couple of bad mock exam scores. A month before my exam, I was still making tons of mistakes and honestly felt like giving up. But if you persevere, master every concept, and turn every mistake into a learning experience, the final result won’t be disappointing. I wish everyone the best in earning that valuable certificate! ¡Ánimo a todos!
