¡Hola a todos! Are you preparing to take the DELE A2 exam? If you’re planning to certify your Spanish language skills at the A2 level, whether for fun or for Spanish citizenship, it’s essential to be aware of common mistakes that can hinder your success. In this blog post, I’d like to share the most common mistakes my students generally make and provide valuable tips to ensure a smoother exam experience. Let’s dive in!

Misinterpreting Instructions

One of the easy to solve mistakes is misinterpreting questions or tasks. This can lead to incorrect answers, costing you valuable points. To avoid it, practice with past papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format and instructions. This will help you gain valuable time and focus for each task.

Time Management

When you’re taking the test, it’s easy to forget about the clock ticking, especially during the writing and speaking. Practice working under time constraints to ensure you can complete all sections within the allocated time. If you find a question particularly challenging, move on and return to it later if time permits. Remember to leave some time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Neglecting Grammar and Vocabulary

While the A2 level tests basic language skills, candidates often overlook the importance of mastering essential grammar rules and vocabulary. Dedicate time to study fundamental grammar concepts and expand your vocabulary to enhance your comprehension and communication abilities.

Speaking tasks

The speaking section assesses your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and it’s usually one of the most difficult ones for my students.

The DELE A2 speaking task 1 can be a bit daunting for some, as it is a monologue about a given topic. To help you navigate it, it’s a good idea to jot down some key words (including vocabulary, linking words, conjugated verbs) before you have to speak. It’s also a good idea to practice speaking regularly in a monologue to improve your fluidity and ability to express ideas clearly.

DELE A2 speaking task 2 has a very fixed format. This will enable you to anticipate what you have to say, so try reviewing all the vocabulary and grammar you will need for this section (clothing, items, describing people…). Try using structures you know well, as sometimes students want to use overly complex sentence structures or vocabulary they’re unsure about, which may lead to mistakes.

Finally, in the DELE A2 speaking task 3, you have a conversation with the examiner. In this case, your focus should be on fluency and interaction, while trying to stay on top of grammar and vocabulary.

Writing tasks

In the writing section, candidates may lose points due to spelling or grammatical errors that could have been avoided with a quick proofread. Allocate time at the end to review your written responses for accuracy and clarity. Key aspects in your proofreading should include

1. Making sure you answered all the points given in the prompt
2. Check gender and number in nouns as well as verb concordance
3. Having linking words throughout the text

What about you, are you preparing for the DELE A2 as well? What do you find more challenging? Comment below!