telc Deutsch B1 Exam Guide
Everything you need to prepare for telc Deutsch B1 — who needs the certificate, the exact exam format, an 8-week plan, and the grammar and vocabulary to prioritise.
New to CEFR levels? Start with our B1 level overview and the telc exams hub.
What is telc B1?
telc Deutsch B1 is a standardised German language exam at CEFR B1. It proves you can handle everyday situations independently: understand the main points of clear standard speech, write simple connected text, and take part in conversations on familiar topics.
Official information: www.telc.net.
Who needs telc B1?
- Immigration / visa: Often accepted as proof of B1 for certain residence permits and family reunification pathways (confirm with Ausländerbehörde / embassy).
- Permanent residency: B1 is a common language requirement for Niederlassungserlaubnis in Germany.
- German citizenship pathway: B1-level German is typically required for naturalisation (Einbürgerung), alongside civic knowledge.
- Professional use: Employers and training programmes may ask for telc B1 as evidence you can work in German day to day.
Always verify the exact certificate name your authority accepts (telc vs Goethe vs other). Rules change by federal state and purpose.
Exam format
| Part | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lesen (Reading) | 65 minutes |
| Hören (Listening) | 40 minutes |
| Schreiben (Writing) | 30 minutes |
| Sprechen (Speaking) | 15 minutes |
| Total | ≈ 150 minutes |
| Cost | Approximately €120–€180 depending on test centre |
Passing score: typically 60% overall (with minimum requirements for written and oral parts). Speaking is usually taken in pairs. Exam fees are set by each centre — confirm the current price when you register.
8-week study plan
Aim for about 1–1.5 hours on weekdays and a longer session on weekends. Adjust if you already sit solidly at A2+ or B1.
Week 1–2: Foundation & diagnostic
- Take a short B1 placement or practice paper to find weak skills.
- Review core A2→B1 grammar: Perfekt, Modals, Akkusativ/Dativ.
- Build daily vocab (work, daily life) — 20–30 new words/day.
- Listen 20 minutes/day to slow German podcasts or news.
Week 3–4: Reading & listening stamina
- Timed Lesen practice: emails, notices, short articles (target 65 min).
- Hören drills: conversations, announcements, interviews.
- Grammar focus: Relativsätze, Konjunktiv II (wishes/politeness), Präteritum of common verbs.
- Write 2 short texts/week (email + opinion paragraph).
Week 5–6: Writing & speaking
- Schreiben templates: formal/informal email, complaint, invitation reply.
- Sprechen pairs: introduce yourself, discuss a topic, plan something together (15 min format).
- Record yourself and fix recurring mistakes.
- Vocab themes: health, travel, feelings — active recall with flashcards.
Week 7–8: Full mocks & polish
- Two full mock exams under timed conditions (≈150 minutes).
- Review every mistake; rebuild weak grammar/vocab lists.
- Light speaking every day; rest the day before the exam.
- Confirm ID, address, and arrival time with your test centre.
Reinforce with practice exercises and B1 resources.
Key B1 grammar
Master these topics before exam day — they appear constantly in writing and speaking:
- Perfekt (present perfect) — everyday past
- Präteritum (simple past) — sein, haben, modals, written narratives
- Konjunktiv II — polite requests and hypotheticals
- Modalverben — können, müssen, sollen, dürfen, wollen, möchten
- Relativsätze — connecting ideas
- Dativ and Akkusativ — articles, pronouns, prepositions
Broader map: B1 grammar hub.
Key vocabulary themes
- Work — jobs, applications, workplace small talk
- Health / doctor and body parts
- Travel — tickets, hotels, directions
- Daily life and daily routines
- Feelings & needs — opinions and personal topics in speaking
Level pack: B1 vocabulary.
Practice with a teacher
Speaking and writing improve fastest with feedback. Book a few focused lessons before the oral exam to rehearse the pair-speaking format.