# Faust Academy

## The Goethe B2 exam: format, timing and pass mark

URL: https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-exam
Language: en
Updated: 2026-09-25

You pass the Goethe B2 exam with 60 of 100 points in each module: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen. The exam has four parts: reading (65 minutes), listening (40 minutes), writing (75 minutes) and speaking as a paired exam.

B2 shows that you can follow complex texts and talk with ease on many topics, including your work.

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 gives access to study at every German speaking university. Many universities also accept Goethe C1 or B2. Each university decides, so check with your university.

On Faust, one scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free. Every online paper gets a result.

Faust Academy is independent practice. It is not a product of the Goethe-Institut and issues no certificates. Book the real exam at a Goethe-Institut or a Goethe test centre.

### The four parts of the Goethe B2 exam

| Part | Length | Tasks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reading (Lesen) | 65 minutes | 30 tasks in 5 parts |
| Listening (Hören) | 40 minutes | 30 tasks in 4 parts |
| Writing (Schreiben) | 75 minutes | 2 writing tasks |
| Speaking (Sprechen) | Oral exam | 2 parts, paired exam |

### Goethe B2 pass marks by module

Each module has its own result. A high score in one module does not make up for a low score in another.

| Module | Maximum points | Pass mark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reading (Lesen) | 100 | 60 points |
| Listening (Hören) | 100 | 60 points |
| Writing (Schreiben) | 100 | 60 points |
| Speaking (Sprechen) | 100 | 60 points |

### Modules, dates and breaks

Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2 are modular. You can take Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen alone or together, and each passed module gets a certificate.

Module certificates from a later date can be combined with earlier ones. On request, and where the test centre can do it, an overall certificate shows the best results from one year.

If the three written modules are on one date, the rules recommend the order Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, and the test centre can change it. There is a break of at least 15 minutes between them.

### Reading, listening and writing in detail

- Reading (Lesen), 65 minutes. Part 1: matching, 9 tasks. Part 2: put sentences into gaps, 6 tasks. Part 3: multiple choice, 6 tasks. Part 4: match statements to texts, 6 tasks. Part 5: match paragraphs to gaps or tasks, 3 tasks.
- Listening (Hören), 40 minutes. Part 1: true or false plus multiple choice, 10 tasks, audio played once. Part 2: multiple choice, 6 tasks, audio played twice. Part 3: matching, 6 tasks, audio played once. Part 4: multiple choice, 8 tasks, audio played twice.
- Writing (Schreiben), 75 minutes. Part 1: write a forum post, 50 minutes, 60 points. Part 2: write a formal message, 25 minutes, 40 points.

### The B2 speaking exam

Speaking is a paired exam. In exceptional cases you sit it alone. You get 15 minutes to prepare. The exam has 2 parts.

In part 1 you give a talk on a topic and answer questions about it. In part 2 you discuss a topic with your partner and give arguments for and against.

### Results, certificate and age

The test centre where you took the exam gives you the results. It cannot release a result early for one person. The Goethe-Institut issues the certificate on paper or as a PDF. The test centre decides the form. Anyone can check a certificate at goethe.de/verify.

If you lose the certificate, the test centre where you registered can issue a replacement within 10 years, for a fee. The Goethe-Institut recommends the adult B2 exam from 16 years. You do not need a certificate of a lower level to register.

### Goethe B2 practice papers on Faust

Faust has 48 Goethe B2 practice papers: 12 for Lesen, 12 for Hören, 12 for Schreiben and 12 for Sprechen. Every PDF is free, with the answers, and every listening paper comes with its audio.

Full access to every paper is paid. The pricing page shows the current price.

### Practise each part of Goethe B2

- [Goethe B2 reading practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-reading-practice-test)
- [Goethe B2 listening practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-listening-practice-test)
- [Goethe B2 writing practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-writing-practice-test)
- [Goethe B2 Sprechen (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-sprechen)
- [Goethe B2 Modelltest PDFs (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-b2-modelltest)
- [Goethe points calculator (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/tools/goethe-punkte-rechner)

### Questions

**How long is the Goethe B2 exam?**

Reading takes 65 minutes, listening 40 minutes and writing 75 minutes. Speaking has 2 parts. Speaking is a paired exam. In exceptional cases you sit it alone. You get 15 minutes to prepare.

**How many points do I need to pass Goethe B2?**

You pass the Goethe B2 exam with 60 of 100 points in each module: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen.

**How many tasks are in the B2 reading and listening parts?**

Reading has 30 tasks in 5 parts. Listening has 30 tasks in 4 parts. Writing has 2 writing tasks.

**How long is the Goethe B2 certificate valid?**

The Goethe-Institut exam rules set no expiry date for the B2 certificate. The office that asks for your certificate, such as an embassy, a university or an employer, decides which certificates it accepts, so ask that office. Anyone can check that a certificate is real at goethe.de/verify.

**Can I retake one module of Goethe B2?**

Yes. You can retake the whole exam or a single module as often as you want. A module you passed keeps its certificate. The test centre can set a waiting time before a retake date and tells you with your result.

**Where do I get my Goethe exam result?**

The test centre where you took the exam gives you the result. The Goethe-Institut does not release a result early for one person. The exam rules give no fixed number of days, so ask your test centre when it sends results.

**Is Goethe B2 accepted for university in Germany?**

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 gives access to study at every German speaking university. Many universities also accept Goethe C1 or B2. Each university decides, so check with your university. The Goethe-Institut publishes a list of universities and the Goethe certificates they accept.

**What does Goethe B2 practice cost on Faust?**

On Faust, one scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free. Full access to every paper is paid. The pricing page shows the current price.

### Sources

- [Goethe-Institut exam rules for B2 (Durchführungsbestimmungen), 1 September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Durchfuehrungsbestimmungen_B2.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut exam rules (Prüfungsordnung), 1 September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Pruefungsordnung.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut: German exams from A1 to C2](https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/prf.html)
- [Goethe-Institut: Goethe certificates accepted for university study, May 2026](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/anerkennung-goethe-zertifikat_B2-C2.pdf)