Now available: Dates for the DELE and CCSE exams in 2024

The dates for the DELE and CCSE exams for 2024 have been published. This year there will be 7 dates for the DELE exams in February, April, May, July, September, October and November. In 4 of these months there will be levels up to C1, in April, May, July and November, and only May and November will give the opportunity to take the C2 exam.

In addition, this year there will be a total of 10 CCSE exams, with only August and December being free of exams of any kind.

But what is all this about exams and dates?

For those unfamiliar, the DELE exams are the tests conducted by the Instituto Cervantes, whose diplomas serve as "official qualifications accrediting the degree of competence and command of the Spanish language, awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training." (source: What are the DELE).

The DELE exams and consequently the diplomas they provide can serve several purposes, including proving your level of Spanish in the professional field, to give you a goal to reach in your language learning, or if you get the A2 (or higher) diploma, it will serve to demonstrate your level of Spanish to the Spanish government, with a view to the procedures to obtain Spanish nationality.

However, for those whose motive is to obtain Spanish nationality, they will also have to pass the cultural exam, called the CCSE or (prueba de) Conocimientos constitucionales y socioculturales de España (test of) Conocimientos constitucionales y socioculturales de España. This test is only for the purpose of Spanish nationality, and its diploma has an expiry date of 4 years, as changes in society and politics make it a constantly evolving subject.

Do I have to take these exams?

As we have highlighted before, the DELE and CCSE exams serve primarily for those who want to apply for nationality. Other than that, the most likely situation in which you will be asked for a DELE diploma will be in some jobs, particularly if you are not from a Spanish-speaking country.

It is also worth mentioning that not everyone will have to take the DELE and CCSE exams to obtain nationality, as there are some exceptions.

CCSE - Exemptions

In the case of the CCSE exams, exemptions apply to those who have a degree in official studies, taken in Spain and in Spanish, at an intermediate or higher level (i.e. either an intermediate/higher degree or any university degree higher than a bachelor's degree, which has been taken in Spanish and in Spain), or to those who have a Spanish Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) qualification.

This means that if you have completed your studies here, as long as they are full-time studies at a level higher than ESO, you will not have to take the CCSE exam to obtain Spanish nationality.

DELE A2 - Exemptions

The cases of exemption from the DELE A2 exam to obtain nationality once again include those of the CCSE, i.e. being a graduate in official studies, taken in Spain and in Spanish, at an intermediate or higher level, or being a graduate in Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) in Spain, and also exempt those who suffer from "people with learning disorders or difficulties of more than 65%" (source: Exemptions and dispensations for the DELE A2).

Exemption from the written tests

And finally, it should be noted that "non-literates", i.e. those who cannot read or write, may apply for a dispensation from the Ministry of Justice accrediting their status, so that in these cases an adapted exam can be taken in which they will only be assessed on their ability to speak.

So, if you want to improve your CV, are aiming to obtain Spanish nationality, or are simply looking for bragging rights, why not register for the Cervantes exams? If you want to register, or are interested in reading more, it's all made easy through their website Instituto Cervantes.