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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

B2 · Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2

Advanced German for study, job applications and work in health care. Goethe is modular; telc can be taken partly.

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up.
Exam parts4· 195 minLesen / Leseverstehen · Hören / Hörverstehen · Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck · Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung
Pass mark60 %≥ 60% per module
Cost€114per partAll parts €289

Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2 (Goethe-Institut · telc) has 4 parts: Lesen / Leseverstehen, Hören / Hörverstehen, Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck, Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung. Pass mark: ≥ 60% per module. Cost: Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €289, €114 per module; course participants 20% off (€231 / €91 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: €289, €114 per module; course participants 20% off (€231 / €91 per module). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

Goethe: retake only the module(s) you failed (€114 each in Germany). telc: within 12 months you may repeat only the written or only the oral part. source

At a glance

UsesGoethe: prepare for study, prove advanced German when applying for a job, prepare for medical work in Germany.[1]
Goethe modulesLesen 65, Hören about 40, Schreiben 75 min; Sprechen about 15 min (pair)[2]
Goethe pass mark≥ 60% per module[2]
telc formatWritten about 140 min + oral about 15 min (pair, 20 min preparation); partial exam possible[3]
CostGoethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €289, or €114 per module. telc: set by each centre.[4]
Validitytelc: no validity period; the receiving institution decides.[5]

Exam parts195 min in total

Lesen / Leseverstehen65 min
Hören / Hörverstehen40 min
Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck75 min
Sprechen / Mündliche Prüfung15 min
Lesen / LeseverstehenReading · Goethe: 5 parts, 32 items. telc: 3 reading + 2 Sprachbausteine parts.
Goethe 65 min; telc 90 min
Format
Goethe: own module. telc: Leseverstehen + Sprachbausteine in one 90-min block.
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 5 parts, 32 items. telc: 3 reading + 2 Sprachbausteine parts.
Task types
Goethe: mostly matching, one 3-option multiple-choice part; one part uses a rules/regulations text.
Scoring
Goethe: 60% needed.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[6]
Hören / HörverstehenListening · Goethe: 4 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 parts.
Goethe about 40 min; telc about 20 min
Format
Audio in the room
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 4 parts, 30 items. telc: 3 parts.
Task types
Goethe: short texts (once), interview (twice), radio discussion (once), lecture (twice).
Scoring
Goethe: 60% needed.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[6]
Schreiben / Schriftlicher AusdruckWriting · Goethe: 2 parts. telc: 1 task.
Goethe 75 min; telc 30 min
Format
Written
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 2 parts. telc: 1 task.
Task types
Goethe: forum post of about 150 words (50 min, several viewpoints, intro and conclusion); message to a superior of about 100 words (25 min).
Scoring
Goethe: 60% needed.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[6]
Sprechen / Mündliche PrüfungSpeaking · Goethe: 2 parts. telc: 3 parts.
About 15 min; preparation Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min
Format
Pair exam (Goethe: single about 10 min if needed)
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 2 parts. telc: 3 parts.
Task types
Goethe: give a talk of about 4 minutes (choose 1 of 2 topics) and answer questions; then a discussion of about 5 minutes.
Scoring
Goethe: 60% needed.
Allowed aids
—[6]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Goethe: 60% per module

A module is passed with at least 60 points (60%). Modules can be taken alone or in combination.[2]

2

Goethe: retakes

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

3

telc: partial exam possible

telc Deutsch B2 can be taken as a partial exam and exists in digital, hybrid and paper form.[3]

4

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 the first attempt.[5]

What is really tested

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

Lesen: long texts and matching

  • Goethe: 32 items in 65 min, mostly matching.
  • One part uses a text with rules or regulations — read for exact details.
  • telc adds Sprachbausteine: grammar and vocabulary in context.
  • CEFR B2: read articles and reports on current topics where writers take a position.
Source [6]

Hören: interviews and lectures

  • Goethe: 30 items; short texts and the radio discussion play once, interview and lecture twice.
  • You must tell who says what in a discussion.
  • CEFR B2: understand extended speech and lectures and follow complex arguments if the topic is reasonably familiar.
Source [6]

Schreiben: argue and write formally

  • Goethe: forum post of about 150 words with several viewpoints, introduction and conclusion.
  • Goethe: a message of about 100 words to a superior, with greeting and closing.
  • Time split in the model: about 50 + 25 minutes.
  • CEFR B2: write clear, detailed text and explain a viewpoint with pros and cons.
Source [6]

Sprechen: talk and discuss

  • Goethe: a talk of about 4 minutes on one of two topics, then answer questions.
  • Goethe: a discussion with your partner of about 5 minutes on a question.
  • 15 minutes preparation at Goethe, 20 at telc.
  • CEFR B2: take an active part in discussions and support your views.
Source [6]

Rules you need to know

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.[7]

telc: register at a telc exam centre

You register with a telc exam centre. Each centre sets its own prices, conditions and dates.[5]

Costs & payment1
Goethe fees

Goethe-Institut in Germany (2026): full exam €289, one module €114; course participants 20% off (€231 / €91).[4]

Good to know1
Work-related telc exams

telc also offers telc Deutsch B1·B2 Beruf (written about 130 min, oral about 16 min), which gives B1 or B2, and a B2 exam for medical professions.[8]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Goethe: about 3 hours written

    All written modules together take about 180 minutes without breaks.[2]

  2. 2
    Speaking: 15 minutes to prepare

    Goethe gives 15 minutes preparation for pair and individual exams; telc gives 20 minutes.[2]

  3. 3
    telc: photo ID

    Show a valid official photo ID before you enter the exam room.[5]

  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.[5]

Recent and planned changes

  1. In forceGoethe exam rules updated

    The current Goethe Durchführungsbestimmungen for B2 are dated 1 September 2025.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

Lesen / Leseverstehen (Goethe 65 min; telc 90 min) · Hören / Hörverstehen (Goethe about 40 min; telc about 20 min) · Schreiben / Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Goethe 75 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 B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

≥ 60% per module source

How much does Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2 cost?

Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €289, €114 per module; course participants 20% off (€231 / €91 per module). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

How do you register for Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

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 B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

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 B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

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

What happens if you fail Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

Goethe: retake only the module(s) you failed (€114 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 B2 / telc Deutsch B2?

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 B2 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  2. [2]
    Durchführungsbestimmungen Goethe-Zertifikat B2 Goethe-Institut · page date 2025-09-01
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
    Prüfungspreise 2026 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
    Prüfungen (Übersicht, Standorte) Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  8. [8]
  9. [9]
    CEFR self-assessment grid (EN) European Union (Europass)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Ask what is accepted

Universities, employers and recognition offices may prefer a certain B2 exam. Check before you book.

2Plan the forum post

About 150 words with several viewpoints: spend 5 minutes on an outline (intro, 2–3 points, conclusion) before you write.

3Time your 4-minute talk

Practise talks on current topics with a timer; end with your own opinion and be ready for questions.

4Use modules strategically (Goethe)

If one skill is weaker, you can retake only that module — plan extra practice time for it.

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 B2 Lesen (Reading)Goethe B2 Hören (Listening)Goethe B2 Schreiben (Writing)Goethe B2 Sprechen (Speaking)Goethe-Zertifikat B2German 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