telc Deutsch B1
telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch): format, pass mark and practice papers
You pass telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) with at least 135 of 225 points in the written exam and at least 45 of 75 points in the oral exam, which is 60 percent of each. The written exam takes 150 minutes. The oral exam is set at 15 minutes for a pair, after 20 minutes of preparation. Faust Academy has 24 practice papers in this format. One scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free.
Updated 7 October 2026, Faust Academy team
telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) is a German exam by telc gGmbH with a written and an oral part. The official telc practice test uses both names: telc Deutsch B1 and Zertifikat Deutsch.
This page sets out the parts, the points, the timing and the pass rule. Every number comes from the official telc practice test (Übungstest) for this level, listed under sources.
telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) at a glance
The written exam takes 150 minutes. The oral exam is set at 15 minutes for a pair, after 20 minutes of preparation.
| Section | Structure | Points | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (Leseverstehen) | 3 parts, 20 tasks | 75 | 90 minutes, shared |
| Language elements (Sprachbausteine) | 2 parts, 20 tasks | 30 | 90 minutes, shared |
| Listening (Hörverstehen) | 3 parts, 20 tasks | 75 | 30 minutes |
| Writing (Schriftlicher Ausdruck) | 1 part | 45 | 30 minutes |
| Speaking (Mündliche Prüfung) | 3 parts | 75 | 15 minutes for a pair, after 20 minutes of preparation |
How you pass, and the grades
You pass telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) with at least 135 of 225 points in the written exam and at least 45 of 75 points in the oral exam, which is 60 percent of each.
| Points | Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 270 to 300 | sehr gut | very good |
| 240 to 269.5 | gut | good |
| 210 to 239.5 | befriedigend | satisfactory |
| 180 to 209.5 | ausreichend | sufficient, a pass |
| 0 to 179.5 | nicht bestanden | fail |
Parts and points in reading and listening
| Section | Part | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leseverstehen | Part 1 | 5 | 25 |
| Leseverstehen | Part 2 | 5 | 25 |
| Leseverstehen | Part 3 | 10 | 25 |
| Sprachbausteine | Part 1 | 10 | 15 |
| Sprachbausteine | Part 2 | 10 | 15 |
| Hörverstehen | Part 1 | 5 | 25 |
| Hörverstehen | Part 2 | 10 | 25 |
| Hörverstehen | Part 3 | 5 | 25 |
The writing task
You answer an email and cover all four guiding points in a sensible order. Mind the subject line, the greeting, the opening and the closing. You have 30 minutes, and the official task sheet sets no fixed minimum word count.
The oral exam
You do the oral tasks with another candidate. React to what your partner says and keep the exchange going together.
- Teil 1: Kontaktaufnahme
- Teil 2: Über ein Thema sprechen
- Teil 3: Gemeinsam etwas planen
How to prepare for telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch)
- Plan for two pass marks: 135 of 225 written points and 45 of 75 oral points. Your weaker side decides the result.
- Practise the language elements (Sprachbausteine). They give 30 of the 225 written points with 20 short gap tasks.
- In listening, read the tasks before each recording and note how many times the task sheet says you hear it.
- Write under the real time limit: 30 minutes. Cover every point the task asks for, because the task points are part of the marking.
- Practise the oral parts out loud with a partner: Teil 1: Kontaktaufnahme, Teil 2: Über ein Thema sprechen, Teil 3: Gemeinsam etwas planen.
After each practice paper: score yourself
- Add up your reading and listening points with the parts table above, then compare your result with the pass rule for your level.
- For each wrong answer, find the place in the text or the recording that gives the right answer, and note why you missed it: an unknown word, a number you did not catch, or too little time.
- Check your writing against the task: every point covered, a fitting greeting and closing, and a tone that suits the reader.
- Write down your score with the date. After three papers you can see whether you are moving toward the pass mark in every section.
telc B1 or Goethe B1?
telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) is one exam: you pass the written and the oral part together. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is modular. Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2: each module has 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points.
Which certificate an employer, a university or an authority accepts is their decision, so check before you register.
Practise with Faust Academy
Faust Academy has 24 practice papers in the telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) format for reading, listening, writing and speaking, each with a PDF and answers or marking guidance. One scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free.
Faust Academy is independent practice. It is not a product of the Goethe-Institut and issues no certificates.
telc B1 practice papers
- telc B1 practice papers, page in German
- telc B1 reading papers, page in German
- telc B1 listening papers, page in German
- telc B1 writing tasks, page in German
- telc B1 speaking materials, page in German
Frequently asked questions
- How long is telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch)?
- The written exam takes 150 minutes. The oral exam is set at 15 minutes for a pair, after 20 minutes of preparation.
- How many points do I need to pass telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch)?
- You pass telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) with at least 135 of 225 points in the written exam and at least 45 of 75 points in the oral exam, which is 60 percent of each.
- Can a strong written result make up for a weak oral result?
- No. The written and the oral exam each need 60 percent. A strong written result does not make up for an oral result below 45 points.
- What grades are on the certificate?
- sehr gut (very good) from 270 to 300 points, gut (good) from 240 to 269.5 points, befriedigend (satisfactory) from 210 to 239.5 points, ausreichend (sufficient, a pass) from 180 to 209.5 points, nicht bestanden (fail) from 0 to 179.5 points.
- Is telc Deutsch B1 the same as Zertifikat Deutsch?
- The official telc practice test uses both names: telc Deutsch B1 and Zertifikat Deutsch.
- Are the Faust papers official telc papers?
- No. Faust Academy is independent practice. It is not a product of the Goethe-Institut and issues no certificates.
- Which papers and PDFs are free?
- One scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free.
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