10 common mistakes in the DELE A2 and how to avoid them

Updated in June 2026 · 9 min read

After analyzing the most common difficulties faced by candidates for the DELE A2, we have identified 10 mistakes that repeat over and over. By knowing them, you can avoid them on exam day.

1. Confusing SER and ESTAR

It is the number one mistake of Spanish students at all levels, but at A2 it is especially relevant because it appears in almost all tasks.

Practical rule: Use SER for permanent characteristics or definitions (I am a teacher, it is big, it is from Madrid). Use ESTAR for temporary states and locations (I am tired, it is on the table, we are happy).

Tip: If you can add "right now" to the sentence and it makes sense, use ESTAR. "I am tired (right now)" ✓. "I am tall (right now)" ✗ → use SER.

2. Mixing POR and PARA

In the DELE A2, they constantly appear in reading and writing tasks.

PARA = destination, purpose, deadline. "This is for you", "I study to pass", "I need it by Monday".

POR = cause, exchange, movement through. "Thank you for everything", "I bought it for 10 euros", "I walk through the park".

3. Gender agreement errors

Forgetting that adjectives must agree with the noun in gender and number: "the house is nice" instead of "the house is nice".

Advice: When writing, check each adjective and make sure it ends in -a if the noun is feminine and in -o if it is masculine. Be careful with misleading nouns: the problem, the map, the hand.

4. Not managing time in reading comprehension

The reading test has 5 tasks in 60 minutes. Many candidates spend too much time on the first tasks and run out of time for the last ones.

Strategy: Maximum 12 minutes per task. If a question blocks you, mark it and move on. Come back at the end if you have time left.

5. Not reading the questions before listening to the audio

In listening comprehension, you have a few seconds before each audio to read the questions. Many candidates do not take advantage of this and then do not know what to look for.

Strategy: Read all the answer options before the audio starts. Underline the keywords. This way, you will know exactly what information you need to capture.

6. Writing too little (or too much)

Writing tasks ask for 60-70 or 70-80 words. Writing 30 words penalizes for insufficient content. Writing 150 words does not give extra points and usually introduces more grammatical errors.

Advice: Count the words while you write. Practice at home by writing texts of exactly 70 words to develop an intuition about the correct length.

7. One-word answers in the oral test

When the examiner asks "Do you like to travel?", responding only "Yes" does not demonstrate your level. Examiners need to hear you speak to evaluate you.

Technique: Always respond with structure: answer + reason + example. "Yes, I really like to travel because I love getting to know new cities. Last summer I went to Lisbon and I liked it a lot."

8. Confusing present perfect and simple past

At A2 level, you must distinguish when to use "he comido" and when to use "comí".

Simplified rule: Present perfect with "today, this week, this month, this year" (unfinished period). Simple past with "yesterday, last week, in 2020" (finished period).

Example: "Today I had breakfast at 8" vs. "Yesterday I had breakfast at 8".

9. Not using connectors in written expression

Texts without connectors look like a list of loose sentences. Examiners value the coherence and cohesion of the text.

Essential A2 connectors: but, because, also, furthermore, first, then, later, in the end, therefore, however.

Practice including at least 3-4 connectors in each text you write.

10. Not practicing with the real exam format

Many candidates study grammar and vocabulary but never take a complete timed exam before D-day. The DELE format is specific and has its own tricks that can only be learned through practice.

Solution: Take at least 3-4 complete exams under real conditions (timed, no breaks, no dictionary) in the weeks leading up to the exam.