If you are preparing for the DELE B2 exam, you have probably come across terms such as genre appropriateness, coherence, accuracy, range, and holistic assessment.
In this guide, we will explain what each of these DELE B2 assessment criteria means and why they are essential to pass both the writing and speaking tests. Understanding these categories will help you feel more confident and improve your score.
DELE B2 Writing Exam Assessment Criteria
These are the categories examiners use to evaluate your written tasks:
1. Genre Appropriateness (Text Type Adaptation)
In the DELE B2 writing exam, the first thing assessed is whether you can adapt your text to the required format. Writing a formal letter is not the same as writing an email or an essay. Each text type has its own structure and tone.
Genre appropriateness means that your text must be well organized and written according to the required format and purpose.
For example, in a formal letter, you should use:
- A respectful tone
- A clear structure (heading, date, greeting, body, closing)
Example:
If you are asked to write a formal complaint letter to a company, your text should include:
- Sender and recipient details
- Formal greeting
- Introduction explaining the issue
- Development with details
- Conclusion with a clear request (e.g., refund or response)
Correct example:
«Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received at your establishment on October 15th. The reason for my complaint is that…»
Incorrect example (wrong genre):
«Hi, how are you? I just wanted to tell you that I didn’t like your company’s service at all. It was really annoying…»
2. Coherence
Coherence is one of the most important aspects of the DELE B2 writing task. It refers to how logically your ideas are connected.
Your text should have:
- A clear structure (introduction, development, conclusion)
- Logical progression of ideas
- Proper use of connectors and cohesive devices
Consistency is also key. For example, if you start a formal letter using “Dear Sir or Madam”, you should consistently use formal language and the appropriate pronouns throughout.
Example:
If you are asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city:
Coherent text:
«Living in a big city has many advantages. One of the main ones is access to services and job opportunities. However, it also has disadvantages, such as noise and pollution. Despite these drawbacks, many people prefer city life because…»
Incoherent text:
«Living in a big city has many advantages, like good food. Parks are also very nice. Pollution is a big problem, and traffic can be terrible. Animals in parks are wonderful and make you feel good.»
3. Accuracy (Grammar and Correctness)
Accuracy refers to:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Correct vocabulary use
Having good ideas is not enough—you must express them correctly. This includes:
- Verb conjugation
- Subject-verb agreement
- Correct use of prepositions
Frequent grammatical mistakes can lower your score significantly.
👉 Tip: Pay special attention to gender and number agreement (e.g., “people” vs. “person”). Small mistakes are easy to spot and penalize.
Example:
Correct text:
«Last weekend I went to the cinema with my friends. We really enjoyed the film, although the sound was a bit low.»
Incorrect text:
«Last weekend I goed to the cinema with my friends. We enjoy very much the film…»
4. Range (Vocabulary and Structures)
Range refers to:
- The variety of vocabulary you use
- Your ability to use different grammatical structures
- The level of detail in your writing
At DELE B2 level, you are expected to:
- Express ideas clearly and precisely
- Discuss abstract and cultural topics
- Use varied expressions and connectors
Example:
Good range:
«In my opinion, social media has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it allows people to stay connected, share information, and learn about other cultures. On the other hand, it can be dangerous, as it facilitates the spread of fake news and cyberbullying.»
Limited range:
«Social media is good because it connects people. But it can also be bad.»
5. Holistic Assessment
The holistic evaluation means that the examiner does not only assess each category separately, but also considers the overall impression of your text.
This includes:
- Quality of ideas
- Organization
- Accuracy
- Vocabulary richness
- Genre appropriateness
To get a high score, your writing must show a good balance across all these areas.
Example:
Good holistic performance:
- Well-structured text
- Clear ideas
- Few grammatical mistakes
- Appropriate tone and format
Poor holistic performance:
- Many spelling and grammar errors
- Poorly developed ideas
- Abrupt topic changes
- Inappropriate style
Final Tips to Pass the DELE B2 Writing Exam
- Always adapt your text to the required format
- Use clear structure and connectors
- Avoid basic vocabulary—aim for variety
- Check grammar and agreement carefully
- Revise your text before submitting
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