How to Pass the DELE B1 in 2 Months — Study Plan

Updated in June 2026 · 11 min read

Is it possible to pass the DELE B1 in 2 months?

Yes, but with conditions. This plan is designed for candidates who already have a solid A2 level or a low B1. If you are starting from scratch, two months will not be enough. You need a foundation that includes past tenses, everyday vocabulary, and the ability to hold simple conversations.

The plan requires between 2 and 3 hours of study daily, 6 days a week. That's approximately 100-140 total hours of specific exam preparation. If you can dedicate more time, that's better. If you only have 1 hour a day, consider extending the timeline to 3-4 months.

Before you start: assess your level

Before diving into the plan, take a full mock exam under real conditions (with a timer). This will give you crucial information:

• Which tests are you closest to passing?
• What are your specific weak points?
• Do you manage your time well in each test?

Remember that you need at least 60% in each group of tests (reading + writing, and listening + speaking). Identify where you need more work and adjust the plan accordingly.

Weeks 1-2: Fundamentals and Diagnosis

Objectives

• Familiarize yourself with the exact format of each test
• Reinforce key B1 grammar
• Establish a daily study routine

Daily Plan (2.5 hours)

1. Grammar (45 min): Review one grammatical topic per day. Prioritize: contrast of past tenses, present subjunctive (wishes and opinions), conditional, discourse connectors.
2. Vocabulary (30 min): Learn 15-20 new words per day organized by themes. Use flashcards with example sentences.
3. Format Practice (45 min): Do a reading or listening comprehension task every day, analyzing why the correct answers are correct.
4. Writing or Speaking (30 min): Alternate between writing a short text and practicing 2-3 minute monologues on everyday topics.

Priority Grammar for These Weeks

• Preterite vs. imperfect (narrating in the past)
• Present perfect (experiences, recent actions)
• Simple future (predictions, plans)
• Conditional (advice, hypotheses)
• Present subjunctive (I want you to, it's important that, I don't think that)

Weeks 3-4: Intensive Practice by Skills

Objectives

• Improve reading speed and comprehension
• Develop active listening strategies
• Practice writing with structure and connectors

Daily Plan (2.5 hours)

1. Listening Comprehension (45 min): Listen to a DELE audio every day. First without pause, then with pause to check answers. Complement with Spanish podcasts at normal speed.
2. Reading Comprehension (45 min): Do 2 timed reading tasks. Practice scanning (looking for specific information) and skimming (grasping the general idea).
3. Written Expression (30 min): Write a complete text (task 1 or task 2) respecting the word limits. Review it the next day with fresh eyes.
4. Vocabulary and Grammar (30 min): Review errors from previous exercises. Add new vocabulary you find in practice texts.

Key Strategies for Listening Comprehension

• Read the questions BEFORE listening to the audio
• In the first listen, look for the general idea
• In the second listen, confirm specific details
• Don't get stuck if you miss a word: keep going
• Practice with different accents (Spain, Mexico, Argentina)

Weeks 5-6: Mock Exams and Correction

Objectives

• Take complete exams under real conditions
• Identify and correct recurring errors
• Improve time management

Weekly Plan

• Monday and Thursday: Complete mock exam of one test (full reading or full listening, timed)
• Tuesday and Friday: Detailed correction of the mock exam + work on weak points
• Wednesday and Saturday: Practice written expression (2 texts) and oral (record yourself responding to exam tasks)

How to Correct Your Mock Exams

1. Note each error and classify it: was it due to vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, or time management?
2. For comprehension errors, go back to the text/audio and locate exactly where the answer is
3. Keep a record of repeated errors: those are your priority
4. If a type of task is particularly difficult for you, dedicate extra sessions to it

Weeks 7-8: Refinement and Confidence

Objectives

• Take at least 2 complete exams under real exam conditions
• Polish oral expression
• Consolidate strategies and time management

Complete Mock Exams

Take a minimum of 2 complete exams (all 4 tests in a row) simulating real conditions: without a dictionary, with a timer, without breaks between tasks of the same test. This will help you manage fatigue and stress.

Oral Expression: Final Preparation

• Record yourself doing the 4 tasks of the oral test
• Listen to yourself and detect filler words, long pauses, or recurring grammatical errors
• Practice with a partner or teacher if possible
• Prepare useful phrases to buy time: "Well, in my opinion...", "On one hand... on the other hand...", "I would like to add that..."

The Last Week Before the Exam

The week before the exam is not the time to learn new things. Your goal is to consolidate and arrive rested:

1. Monday-Wednesday: Light review of vocabulary and grammar. Do a loose task from each test to maintain the rhythm.
2. Thursday: Last partial mock exam (only the tests where you feel less confident).
3. Friday: Review strategies and useful phrases. Prepare everything you need for exam day (ID, pens, water).
4. Saturday (if the exam is on Sunday): Rest. Walk, watch a movie in Spanish, no intensive studying.

Recommended Resources

• Mock Exams: Those from Instituto Cervantes (available on their website) and those from publishers like Edelsa and Difusión
• Grammar: "Gramática de uso del español" (SM) or "Aula" (Difusión)
• Vocabulary: Thematic lists for B1 + flashcard apps
• Listening Comprehension: Podcasts like "Hoy hablamos", "Notes in Spanish", news from RTVE
• Exam Practice: DELE B1 Practice (app with exercises in real format)

Final Tips

• Consistency beats intensity: it's better to study 2 hours every day than 8 hours in one day
• Don't neglect any test: you need to pass both groups
• Practice handwriting if your exam is on paper
• In the oral test, it's better to speak with mistakes than to remain silent
• Manage stress: the DELE can be retaken, it's not the end of the world