German Exam Simulator
Goethe-Zertifikat · B1

Goethe B1 exam: structure, scoring and preparation

The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 shows that you can use German independently: follow the main points of a discussion, write an email with your opinion and give a short presentation.

  • Written exam165 min
  • Oral examabout 15 min
  • Pass mark60/100 in each module
Google PlayApp Store

Who takes this exam?

B1 is the level required for German citizenship and, in most cases, for permanent residence. The Goethe B1 is modular, so you can take the four modules together or one at a time.

Exam day at a glance

Written exam 165 min

  1. Lesen65 min
  2. Hörenabout 40 min
  3. Schreiben60 min

Oral exam about 15 min

  1. Preparation15 min
  2. Sprechenabout 15 min

Depending on the test centre, the oral exam takes place on the same day as the written exam or on a different day.

Part by part

What each module asks you to do, in the order you take them.

Lesen

Reading
  • 100 points
  • 5 parts
  • 30 questions
  • 65 min

Five parts with 30 tasks: a blog post, press articles, ads, readers’ opinions and house rules.

  1. Teil 1A blog post or email: six statements, richtig or falsch.
  2. Teil 2Two press articles, with three questions each (a, b or c).
  3. Teil 3Ads: find the right ad for seven situations, from a choice of ten.
  4. Teil 4Seven readers’ opinions on a topic: is each person for it or not (ja or nein)?
  5. Teil 5Rules or instructions, such as house rules, with four questions (a, b or c).

Hören

Listening
  • 100 points
  • 4 parts
  • 30 questions
  • about 40 min

Four parts with 30 tasks: short announcements, a talk, a conversation and a radio discussion.

  1. Teil 1Five short texts such as announcements or messages, with two tasks each. Played twice.
  2. Teil 2A talk, for example a guided tour, with five questions. Played once.
  3. Teil 3A conversation with seven richtig/falsch statements. Played once.
  4. Teil 4A radio discussion: match eight statements to the speakers. Played twice.

Schreiben

Writing
  • 100 points
  • 3 tasks
  • 60 min

Two emails and a forum post in 60 minutes.

  1. Aufgabe 1An informal email to a friend, about 80 words.
  2. Aufgabe 2A forum post giving your opinion on a topic, about 80 words.
  3. Aufgabe 3A short formal email, for example to apologise or ask for something, about 40 words.

Sprechen

Speaking
  • 100 points
  • 3 parts
  • about 15 min
  • + 15 min preparation
  • with a partner

A pair exam after 15 minutes of preparation.

  1. Teil 1Plan something together with your partner.
  2. Teil 2Give a short presentation on a topic, guided by five slides.
  3. Teil 3React to your partner’s presentation with feedback and a question, and answer questions about yours.

How it is scored

Each module is scored on its own, out of 100, and you pass it from 60 points. In Sprechen, the presentation in Teil 2 is worth 40 of the 100 points.

Goethe-Zertifikat B1
Module · TeilMax. pointsPass from
Lesen10060
Hören10060
Schreiben10060
Aufgabe 140
Aufgabe 240
Aufgabe 320
Sprechen10060
Teil 128
Teil 240
Teil 316
Aussprache16

Based on the published exam regulations of telc, the Goethe-Institut and g.a.s.t., checked in September 2026.

How to prepare

  • Watch the clock in Lesen

    65 minutes for 30 tasks is tight. Do the ads task (Teil 3) by scanning, and keep enough time for the press articles.

  • Hit the word counts

    Aufgabe 1 and 2 need about 80 words, Aufgabe 3 about 40. Answer every point: a missing point costs more than a few grammar mistakes.

  • Structure your presentation

    Teil 2 is worth 40 points. Follow the five slides: the topic, your experience, the situation in your home country, pros and cons with your opinion, and a closing.

  • Have a question ready for your partner

    In Teil 3 you react to your partner’s presentation. While they speak, note one detail you can ask about.

Questions and answers

How long does the Goethe B1 exam take?

The written exam takes 165 minutes: Lesen 65 min, Hören about 40 min and Schreiben 60 min. The oral exam takes about 15 minutes, after 15 minutes of preparation.

How many points do I need to pass Goethe B1?

Each module is scored on its own, out of 100, and you pass it from 60 points. In Sprechen, the presentation in Teil 2 is worth 40 of the 100 points.

Can I take the Goethe B1 modules separately?

Yes. The exam is modular: you can take all four modules on one day or one at a time, and each module you pass is certified on its own.

Do I need all four modules for citizenship?

Yes. For naturalisation or permanent residence the authorities expect B1 in all four skills, so you need a pass in every module.

How can I practise for Goethe B1 at home?

German Exam Simulator has complete Goethe B1 mock exams with the same parts and timings as the real exam, including Sprechen with an AI partner, and scores them the way the certificate does. Exam 1 is free and needs no account.

Practise the full Goethe B1 exam

Timed mock exams with every part, including Sprechen with an AI partner, scored like the certificate. Exam 1 is free, no account needed.

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store

Other exams

Checked against the official exam format in September 2026.