Skip to main content

Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1

The general German examination at CEFR level B1

Demonstrate your knowledge of the basics of German reading, writing, listening and speaking and your ability to communicate in everyday situations, both personal and professional.

Structure of the examination

The telc B1 qualification consists of a written and an oral examination. 

The test presents test takers with tasks that evaluate a range of skills. Reading, listening and language elements sections test receptive skills using tasks such as multiple choice or text matching.  

Productive skills are evaluated in writing and speaking tasks. Here, test takers respond to some form of input, such as questions or images, in written or spoken form. 

 SubtestNumber of partsDuartion in minutesAdditional information

 


Written examination

Reading  3
90

 


No break

Language Elements 2
Listening  3approx. 30
Writing 130
Oral examinationSpeaking 3approx. 15

Pair examination  

20-minute preparation time 

This exam can be taken in a computer or paper-based format. 

The telc German B1 mock examination includes a complete test with solutions, which can be used to prepare at home or in class. It also provides you with all the important information about the examination procedure and how the written and oral performances are assessed. 

The CEFR level B1

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines six levels of competence: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. 

Learners at B1 level can  

  • communicate in a simple and coherent way in daily life, at work, and when travelling 

  • write or speak about a range of topics in their own area of interest. 

  • participate in conversations about family, hobbies, work, and current events, reporting experiences, describing goals, and giving reasons for opinions. 

  • generally use grammar and language correctly. 

  • understand and produce simple, connected texts on familiar topics. 

Why choose a telc language test?

telc language tests are recognised worldwide by schools, universities, employers and government authorities as valid proof of language proficiency at all six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). As a full member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), telc is committed to complying with international quality standards. Regular audits are carried out to ensure we meet these standards.  

Find out more about telc quality standards.