Updated in June 2026

DELE A1 Written Expression — Forms and Short Messages

The DELE A1 written expression test lasts 25 minutes and has only 2 tasks. The first is to fill out a form with your personal information. The second is to write a short message of 30 to 40 words.

It is the shortest test of the exam and requires the least text. You do not need to write essays or long paragraphs. By mastering basic vocabulary and simple present tense sentences, you can achieve a high score.

Test Structure

Task 1: Fill out a form

You are given a typical form and must complete it with personal information. It can be a registration form for a course, a library card, a hotel registration, or a membership card application.

Common fields:

• First and last name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Address (street, number, city, postal code)
• Phone
• Email
• Profession
• Languages

Tips for Task 1:

• Write clearly. If it cannot be read, it will not score.
• Put the nationality in the correct form: "española" (feminine) or "español" (masculine).
• The address in Spain has the format: Street + name + number + floor. Example: "Calle Mayor, 15, 3º B".
• For the date use the format day/month/year: 05/03/1990.
• Do not leave fields blank. If you do not know exactly what to write, invent coherent data.

Task 2: Write a short message

You must write a message of 30 to 40 words. The message can be a note, an SMS, an email, or a message to a friend. You are given a context and 2-3 points that you must include in your text.

Examples of typical situations:

• Writing to a friend to meet up (where, when, for what)
• Sending a message to your teacher to say you won't be attending class (reason, when you will return)
• Writing to a roommate about shopping (what you need, when you are going to the store)
• Responding to an invitation (accepting or declining, proposing an alternative)

Example of a message

Situation: Write a message to your friend Carlos. You have to tell him where you are, what you are doing, and what time you finish.

"Hello Carlos. I am at the library. I am studying for tomorrow's exam. I finish at six. Shall we meet later at the café? Best regards."

This example has 30 words, addresses the three points of the prompt, and uses A1 grammar: present indicative, basic vocabulary, simple structure.

What the examiners evaluate

• Task fulfillment: Do you respond to all the points requested in the prompt?
• Coherence: Does your text make sense as a real message?
• Vocabulary: Do you use appropriate words for the situation?
• Grammar: Are the verbs conjugated? Do the articles agree?

You do not need perfect grammar. A message with small errors but that communicates the requested information can achieve the maximum score.

Errors to avoid

• Writing less than 30 words (penalizes)
• Writing more than 50 words (excess is not evaluated and you lose time)
• Forgetting one of the points from the prompt
• Mixing tú and usted without reason
• Not including a greeting or farewell in the message

Useful phrases for Task 2

Greetings:

• "Hello [name]:"
• "Dear [name]:"

Body of the message:

• "I am in..." / "I am going to..."
• "Do you want to come?" / "Shall we meet at...?"
• "I can't go because..."
• "I need..." / "Can you bring...?"

Farewells:

• "Best regards" / "A kiss" / "See you later"

How to practice

• Write a short message every day about your routine (exactly 30-40 words).
• Practice filling out forms online in Spanish.
• Count the words of each message you write. Train your sense of length.
• Use only the present indicative. In A1 you do not need any past or future tense.
• Read the official exam models to see the exact format.