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The official rules, explained clearly.

Exam parts, scoring, costs and dates for each exam, with a link to the official source behind every fact.

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Language

B1 · Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1

The B1 certificates for living and working in Germany. Goethe is modular; telc has one written and one oral part.

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up.
Exam parts4· 180 minLesen / Leseverstehen · Hören / Hörverstehen · Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck · Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung
Pass mark60/100≥ 60 of 100 per module
Cost€104per partAll parts €259

Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1 (Goethe-Institut · telc) has 4 parts: Lesen / Leseverstehen, Hören / Hörverstehen, Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck, Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung. Pass mark: ≥ 60 of 100 per module. Cost: Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €259, €104 per module; course participants 20% off (€207 / €83 per module). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. Result: Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines. Book directly with the centre. source

  1. 1Bookat a Goethe, telc or ÖSD exam centre
  2. 2ExamNo national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines
  3. 3ResultResult times are not published centrally
  4. 4Certificatetelc certificates have no validity period; the institution that asks for the certificate decides whether it accepts it. Goethe: no validity stated on the checked pages.

Where

BerlinBonnBremenDresdenDüsseldorfFrankfurtFreiburgGöttingenHamburgHeidelbergMannheimMünchenSchwäbisch Hall

Goethe-Institut locations in Germany; telc exams are held at telc exam centres (e.g. adult education centres and language schools). Abroad: the local Goethe-Institut or telc partner. source

Waiting & results

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up. source

Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. source

Cost & retakes

Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €259, €104 per module; course participants 20% off (€207 / €83 per module). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

Goethe: retake only the module(s) you failed (€104 each in Germany). telc: within 12 months you may repeat only the written or only the oral part. source

At a glance

UsesGoethe: Studienkolleg, living and working in Germany. Naturalisation requires B1 — ask your office which certificates it accepts.[1]
Goethe modulesLesen 65, Hören about 40, Schreiben 60 min; Sprechen about 15 min (pair)[2]
Goethe pass mark≥ 60 of 100 per module[3]
telc formatWritten about 150 min + oral about 15 min (pair, 20 min preparation)[4]
telc pass mark60% in the written part (135/225) and 60% in the oral part (45/75)[5]
CostGoethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €259, or €104 per module. telc: set by each centre.[6]
Validitytelc: no validity period; the receiving institution decides.[7]

Exam parts180 min in total

Lesen / Leseverstehen65 min
Hören / Hörverstehen40 min
Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck60 min
Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung15 min
Lesen / LeseverstehenReading · Goethe: 5 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 reading parts (20 items) + 2 Sprachbausteine parts (20 items).
Goethe 65 min; telc 90 min (incl. Sprachbausteine)
Format
Goethe: own module. telc: Leseverstehen + Sprachbausteine in one 90-min block.
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 5 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 reading parts (20 items) + 2 Sprachbausteine parts (20 items).
Task types
True/false, 3-option multiple choice, matching. telc adds grammar/vocabulary gaps (Sprachbausteine).
Scoring
Goethe: 100 points per module. telc: reading 75 + Sprachbausteine 30 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[8]
Hören / HörverstehenListening · Goethe: 4 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 parts, 20 items.
Goethe about 40 min; telc about 30 min
Format
Audio in the room
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 4 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 parts, 20 items.
Task types
Goethe: true/false, 3-option choice, matching speakers; some texts once, some twice. telc: true/false.
Scoring
Goethe: 100 points. telc: 75 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[8]
Schreiben / Schriftlicher AusdruckWriting · Goethe: 3 tasks. telc: 1 task.
Goethe 60 min; telc 30 min
Format
Written
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 3 tasks. telc: 1 task.
Task types
Goethe: e-mail about 80 words, opinion text about 80 words, formal e-mail about 40 words. telc: informal or semi-formal e-mail with 4 guide points.
Scoring
Goethe: 100 points. telc: 45 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[8]
Sprechen / Mündliche PrüfungSpeaking · 3 parts (both)
About 15 min; preparation Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min
Format
Pair exam (Goethe: single if needed)
Questions / tasks
3 parts (both)
Task types
Goethe: plan something together; a presentation (5 slides); feedback and questions. telc: getting to know each other; talk about a topic; plan something together.
Scoring
Goethe: 100 points (pass 60). telc: 75 points (pass 45).
Allowed aids
—[8]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Goethe: each module counts on its own

Each module has 100 points; you pass a module with at least 60. Modules can be taken alone or together.[2]

2

Grades

100–90 sehr gut, 89–80 gut, 79–70 befriedigend, 69–60 ausreichend, below 60 nicht bestanden (failed).[3]

3

Goethe: retakes

Modules can be taken or repeated as often as the exam centre can organise.[2]

4

telc: written and oral separately

Written 225 points, oral 75. You need 60% in both: 135 written and 45 oral.[5]

5

telc: retake one part within 12 months

At B1–C2 you may repeat only the oral or only the written exam within 12 months after your first attempt.[7]

6

Naturalisation

Naturalisation requires B1. BAMF names the DTZ at B1 and the Zertifikat Integrationskurs as proof and keeps a list of recognised B1 certificates.[9]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Lesen: more text, less time

  • Goethe: 30 items in 65 min; telc: 20 reading items + 20 Sprachbausteine in 90 min.
  • Question types: true/false, 3-option choice and matching texts to people or headings.
  • telc only: Sprachbausteine test grammar and vocabulary in a text with gaps.
  • CEFR B1: understand texts in everyday or job-related language.
Source [8]

Hören: announcements to discussions

  • Goethe: 30 items in 4 parts; telc: 20 true/false items in 3 parts.
  • At Goethe some texts play only once.
  • One Goethe part asks you to match statements to speakers in a discussion.
  • CEFR B1: understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters.
Source [8]

Schreiben: letters and opinions

  • Goethe: 3 texts in 60 min (about 80, 80 and 40 words), informal and formal.
  • Goethe includes an opinion text: give your view with reasons.
  • telc: one e-mail in 30 min covering 4 guide points.
  • Register matters: choose informal (du) or formal (Sie) correctly.
Source [8]

Sprechen: plan, present, discuss

  • Both providers have a task where you plan something together with your partner.
  • Goethe: a short presentation on a topic, then feedback and questions.
  • telc: getting to know each other, then a conversation about a topic.
  • Preparation time: Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min.
Source [8]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels1
For naturalisation: check the list

BAMF keeps an overview of recognised B1 certificates (2023-07-31). Your Einbürgerungsbehörde decides; ask before you book.[11]

Registration2
Goethe: where

In Germany at the Goethe-Institut locations (e.g. Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Göttingen, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Mannheim, München, Schwäbisch Hall); abroad at the local Goethe-Institut.[10]

telc: register at a telc exam centre

You register with a telc exam centre. Each centre sets its own prices, conditions and dates.[7]

Costs & payment1
Goethe fees

Goethe-Institut in Germany (2026): full exam €259, one module €104; course participants 20% off (€207 / €83).[6]

Good to know1
telc formats

telc Deutsch B1 is available on computer or on paper. telc also offers telc Deutsch B1·B2 Beruf (for work), which gives B1 or B2.[4]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Goethe: written modules back to back

    If you take all written modules, they take about 165 minutes in total without breaks.[2]

  2. 2
    Speaking: prepare first

    Goethe gives 15 minutes of preparation before Sprechen; telc gives 20 minutes.[2]

  3. 3
    telc: photo ID

    Show a valid official photo ID before you enter the exam room.[7]

  4. 4
    telc: no dictionary, no phone

    Dictionaries, textbooks, own notes, mobile phones, smartwatches and devices with internet are not allowed. Pencils, erasers and a clear bottle without label are allowed.[7]

Recent and planned changes

  1. In forceGoethe exam rules updated

    The current Goethe Durchführungsbestimmungen for B1 are dated 1 September 2025.[2]

  2. In forceB1 for naturalisation

    Under the citizenship law in force since 2024-06-27, naturalisation requires German at B1.[12]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

Lesen / Leseverstehen (Goethe 65 min; telc 90 min (incl. Sprachbausteine)) · Hören / Hörverstehen (Goethe about 40 min; telc about 30 min) · Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Goethe 60 min; telc 30 min) · Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung (About 15 min; preparation Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min).

What is the pass mark for Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

≥ 60 of 100 per module source

How much does Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1 cost?

Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €259, €104 per module; course participants 20% off (€207 / €83 per module). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

How do you register for Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

No national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines. Book directly with the centre. source

How long do you have to wait for Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up. source

When do you get the result of Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. source

What happens if you fail Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

Goethe: retake only the module(s) you failed (€104 each in Germany). telc: within 12 months you may repeat only the written or only the oral part. source

Where can you take Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc Deutsch B1?

Goethe-Institut locations in Germany; telc exams are held at telc exam centres (e.g. adult education centres and language schools). Abroad: the local Goethe-Institut or telc partner. Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Göttingen, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Mannheim, München, Schwäbisch Hall. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-29. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
    Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  2. [2]
    Durchführungsbestimmungen Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Goethe-Institut · page date 2025-09-01
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
    Prüfungspreise 2026 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
  9. [9]
  10. [10]
    Prüfungen (Übersicht, Standorte) Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  11. [11]
  12. [12]
    Das neue Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht seit 27.06.2024 (FAQ) Auswärtiges Amt · page date 2024-06-27
  13. [13]
    CEFR self-assessment grid (EN) European Union (Europass)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Pick the format that suits you

Goethe: retake only the module you failed. telc: one written block with Sprachbausteine (grammar). Compare before you book.

2Train timed writing

Goethe asks for 3 texts in 60 minutes. Practise planning each text in 2 minutes and covering every point.

3Prepare a presentation routine

For Goethe Sprechen, practise a 5-part structure: topic, your experience, the situation in your country, pros and cons, conclusion.

4Listen once

Some Goethe audio plays only once. Read the questions before the audio and note key words while listening.

5Check acceptance first

For naturalisation or a permit, ask the office which B1 certificate it accepts before you pay.

Practise in exam formatMock sets and official sample examsOpen Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Practise each part — sample questions with answers

Key facts in one pageGoethe B1 Lesen (Reading)Goethe B1 Hören (Listening)Goethe B1 Schreiben (Writing)Goethe B1 Sprechen (Speaking)Zertifikat B1German word listsQuestions and answers

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (BAMF, g.a.s.t., Goethe-Institut, telc and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins