Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1 shows that you can deal with most everyday situations in German on your own: at work, at the authorities and in conversation.
B1 is the level required for German citizenship and, in most cases, for a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Many employers ask for it too.
Depending on the test centre, the oral exam takes place on the same day as the written exam or on a different day.
What each module asks you to do, in the order you take them.
Three reading tasks that test gist, detail and scanning.
Grammar and vocabulary in context: two letters with gaps.
Radio, announcements and conversations, tested for gist, detail and specific information.
One letter, personal or semi-formal, that replies to a situation and covers four guiding points (Leitpunkte).
A pair exam with two examiners, after 20 minutes of preparation with all task sheets.
Written and oral are scored separately: you need 135 of 225 written points and 45 of 75 oral points. In the oral exam, Teil 1 is worth 15 points while Teil 2 and Teil 3 are worth 30 each.
| Module · Teil | Max. points | Pass from |
|---|---|---|
| Written part | 225 | 135 |
| Leseverstehen | 75 | |
| Sprachbausteine | 30 | |
| Hörverstehen | 75 | |
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | 45 | |
| Oral part | 75 | 45 |
| Teil 1 | 15 | |
| Teil 2 | 30 | |
| Teil 3 | 30 |
Based on the published exam regulations of telc, the Goethe-Institut and g.a.s.t., checked in September 2026.
Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine share 90 minutes. Give each part a time limit so the ads task at the end doesn’t get rushed.
Before the oral exam you see all task sheets. Note key words for your text in Teil 2 and ideas for the plan in Teil 3, not full sentences.
The letter is marked on whether you address every guiding point. Plan one short paragraph per point, then add a fitting greeting and closing.
They are worth 60 of the 75 oral points. Practise presenting a short text in your own words and reacting to your partner’s suggestions.
The written exam takes 150 minutes: Leseverstehen + Sprachbausteine 90 min, Hörverstehen about 30 min and Schriftlicher Ausdruck 30 min. The oral exam takes about 15 minutes, after 20 minutes of preparation.
Written and oral are scored separately: you need 135 of 225 written points and 45 of 75 oral points. In the oral exam, Teil 1 is worth 15 points while Teil 2 and Teil 3 are worth 30 each.
Yes. If you pass the written or the oral part, you can retake the other one on its own, usually once and within a deadline. Your test centre can tell you the exact conditions.
Yes. The telc B1 certificate is accepted as proof of German for naturalisation, as are the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (all four modules) and a DTZ result at B1.
German Exam Simulator has complete telc 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.
Timed mock exams with every part, including Sprechen with an AI partner, scored like the certificate. Exam 1 is free, no account needed.
Checked against the official exam format in September 2026.