Which B1 exams are there?
In Germany there are mainly three well-known B1 exams: the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ, German test for immigrants), telc Deutsch B1 (also called „Zertifikat Deutsch“) and the Goethe-Zertifikat B1. All three test reading, listening, writing and speaking. They differ in format, in length and above all in how you pass.
- DTZ – final exam of the integration course, organised by g.a.s.t. since 2023. A scaled test: the result is A2 or B1.
- telc Deutsch B1 / Zertifikat Deutsch – exam by telc gGmbH for general German. A test for one level: passed (B1) or not passed.
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1 – exam by the Goethe-Institut (developed with ÖSD and the University of Fribourg/Switzerland) for young people (recommended from 12) and adults (recommended from 16). Modular: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen (reading, listening, writing, speaking) can be taken individually.
All numbers on this page come from the official practice materials: DTZ Übungssatz 1 (g.a.s.t., 2024), telc Deutsch B1 Übungstest 1 (telc, 2020) and Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Übungssatz (Goethe-Institut, 2017). These documents do not give prices – so you will not find any here either.
telc B1, Goethe B1 and DTZ side by side
The biggest difference is the result: the DTZ gives A2 or B1, telc B1 is passed as a whole, and for the Goethe-Zertifikat the modules count one by one. The times are different too: the written exam takes 100 minutes in the DTZ and 150 minutes at telc; for the Goethe-Zertifikat, Lesen, Hören and Schreiben take 165 minutes together.
| DTZ | telc Deutsch B1 | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | g.a.s.t. (since 2023) | telc gGmbH | Goethe-Institut |
| For whom | integration course participants (final test) | everyone who wants to prove general German at B1 | young people (recommended from 12) and adults (recommended from 16) |
| Result | certificate A2 or B1 | passed (B1) with a grade, or not passed | passed or not passed, module by module |
| Written | 100 min: listening approx. 25, reading 45, writing 30 | 150 min: reading + Sprachbausteine (language elements) 90, listening approx. 30, writing 30 | reading 65 min, listening 40 min, writing 60 min |
| Oral | approx. 16 min in pairs, no preparation time mentioned | approx. 15 min in pairs, 20 min preparation | 15 min in pairs, 15 min preparation |
| Writing | 1 task (A or B), 4 Leitpunkte (guiding points), formal/semi-formal | 1 email, informal or semi-formal, 4 Leitpunkte | 3 tasks: 2 emails (approx. 80 and approx. 40 words) + 1 opinion (approx. 80 words) |
| Grammar part | letter with gaps in Lesen Teil 5 | separate part Sprachbausteine (20 tasks) | no separate part |
| Passing | speaking B1 + B1 in „Hören und Lesen“ (listening and reading) or writing | 60 % written (135/225) and 60 % oral (45/75) | 60 of 100 points in the module |
| Cost | taking the final test is free according to the BAMF | not in the official documents – ask the exam centre | not in the official documents – ask the exam centre |
| Official practice material | 2 Übungssätze (PDF) | Übungstest with audio (ZIP) | Übungssatz (PDF) |
For the DTZ: it is the final test of the integration course. Whether and how you can take it without a course is not stated in the sources; ask your Kursträger (course provider) or the BAMF.
How do reading, listening, writing and speaking differ?
In all three exams the tasks are similarly close to everyday life, but they are spread out differently. With the Sprachbausteine, telc has its own grammar and vocabulary part; the DTZ tests grammar only in the letter with gaps, and the Goethe-Zertifikat does not test it separately at all. For the Goethe-Zertifikat you write three texts, in the DTZ and at telc only one.
| Part | DTZ | telc Deutsch B1 | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 5 parts, 25 tasks: directories, adverts (with X), press/notices, brochure, letter with gaps | 3 parts, 20 tasks: matching headings, long text (a/b/c), matching adverts (with x) | 5 parts, 30 tasks: true/false, a/b/c, matching, yes/no |
| Sprachbausteine | – | 2 parts, 20 tasks: gap text a/b/c and 10 gaps with 15 words | – |
| Listening | 4 parts, 20 tasks: announcements, radio, conversations, opinions | 3 parts, 20 true/false tasks; Teil 1 is heard once, Teil 2 and 3 twice | 4 parts, 30 tasks; two parts twice, two parts once |
| Speaking Teil 1 | talking about yourself | getting to know each other | planning something together |
| Speaking Teil 2 | talking about experiences (picture) | talking about a topic (two opinions) | presenting a topic (5 slides) |
| Speaking Teil 3 | planning something together | planning something together | giving feedback and asking a question |
Our tip: if speaking freely without preparation is hard for you, pay attention to this difference – at telc and Goethe you have time for notes before the oral exam; the DTZ practice set does not mention any preparation time.
How do you pass which B1 exam?
The rules are very different. In the DTZ, speaking decides: without B1 in speaking there is no B1 certificate. At telc you need 60 % in the written exam and 60 % in the oral exam. For the Goethe-Zertifikat you pass the modules one by one with 60 of 100 points.
| Exam | Points | Rule | Repeating |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTZ | Hören und Lesen 45, writing 20, speaking 100 | B1: speaking B1 + B1 in „Hören und Lesen“ (from 33) or writing (from 15); A2: speaking A2 + A2 in one other part | according to the BAMF, once free of charge under certain conditions (with a repeat of the course) |
| telc Deutsch B1 | 300: written 225, oral 75 | at least 135 written and 45 oral; grades from „ausreichend“ (sufficient, 180–209.5) to „sehr gut“ (very good, 270–300) | repeat a failed part in the same or the following calendar year; the whole exam as often as you like |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | 100 for one module | module passed from 60 points (60 %) | modules can be taken individually |
An example of the difference: if you read very well but reach only A2 in speaking, you get at most the A2 certificate in the DTZ. At telc, strong reading can make up for weaker listening – as long as you reach 135 points in the written exam overall and 45 points in the oral exam.
Who recognises which B1 exam?
For the settlement permit and for naturalisation, the law requires „ausreichende Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache“ (sufficient knowledge of the German language), and that is level B1 (§ 2 Abs. 11 AufenthG). The law does not name which exam counts as proof. The responsible authority decides this.
- Settlement permit: under § 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG, the language knowledge is proven if the integration course was completed successfully – that is, DTZ B1 and the test „Leben in Deutschland“ (Life in Germany).
- Naturalisation: § 10 Abs. 4 StAG requires the standard of a language exam at level B1.
- Integration course: according to the BAMF, another standardised B1 exam from an independent test institute can also lead to the „Zertifikat Integrationskurs“ (integration course certificate) if the proof is not older than one year and is available at the latest when you register with the Kursträger. The BAMF decides this.
- telc writes about its certificates that schools, universities, employers and authorities recognise them internationally as proof of language skills.
The same applies to employers, schools or vocational training: before you register, ask which certificate is required. This page is not legal advice – please ask your Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) or Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation office).
Which B1 exam is right for me?
There is no „easiest“ B1 exam: all three test level B1, just in different ways. What matters is your situation and your strengths. In the integration course, the DTZ is the final test. If you need proof of B1 without a course, look at telc B1 and the Goethe-Zertifikat.
- First find out what you need the certificate for and which exam the office accepts (authority, employer, school).
- If you are in an integration course, prepare for the DTZ – according to the BAMF, the final test is free of charge.
- If you have to prove or repeat individual skills, the modular Goethe-Zertifikat is one option.
- If grammar and reading are your strengths, the format of telc B1 fits, with Sprachbausteine and making up points within the written exam.
- Before you register, do the official practice test of the exam you chose under time pressure. Then you know which parts you need to practise.
Our tip: also compare dates and exam locations near you, and ask there about the fees.
How can I practise for B1 on LexDeutsch?
At the moment LexDeutsch has exercises in the DTZ format: Lesen Teil 1–5 and Musterbriefe (sample letters) for writing. In Lesen, the first three tasks of every part are free and need no sign-up. All Musterbriefe (sample letters) are free and need no sign-up. A separate section for telc Deutsch B1 is in progress; there are no separate exercises for the Goethe-Zertifikat.
- DTZ Lesen Teil 1–5 – directories, adverts, press, brochures, letter with gaps.
- Musterbriefe B1 – letters and emails with translation, useful for the DTZ and telc.
- Writing a letter at B1 – structure, useful phrases and examples.
- Grammar Quiz B1 and Flashcards – grammar and vocabulary for all three exams.
More about the individual exams: DTZ B1 exam with the procedure, points and tips for Lesen Teil 1–5, and telc B1 exam with the format, points and the differences from the DTZ.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DTZ the same as telc B1?
No. The DTZ is the final exam of the integration course, with the result A2 or B1. telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) is a separate exam with a different format, 300 points and Sprachbausteine (language elements); you either pass it or do not pass it.
Which B1 exam is the easiest?
None. All three test level B1, but with different tasks and rules. It depends on your strengths: in the DTZ, speaking and one other part at B1 are enough for B1; at telc, strong reading can make up for weaker parts within the written exam.
How long does the B1 exam take?
The DTZ takes 100 minutes written and about 16 minutes oral. telc Deutsch B1 takes 150 minutes written and about 15 minutes oral, plus 20 minutes of preparation. For the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, reading takes 65, listening 40, writing 60 and speaking 15 minutes.
How many points do you need for B1?
In the DTZ for B1: 33 of 45 in „Hören und Lesen“ (listening and reading) or 15 of 20 in writing, plus 75 of 100 in speaking. At telc B1: 135 of 225 written and 45 of 75 oral. For the Goethe-Zertifikat: 60 of 100 points in the module.
Do I need the DTZ for naturalisation?
The law requires the standard of a language exam at level B1 (§ 10 Abs. 4 StAG), but does not name a specific exam. The Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation office) decides which proof is accepted. Ask there.
Can I repeat only one module of the Goethe-Zertifikat?
Yes. According to the Goethe-Institut, Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen can be taken individually, that is modularly, or together as a whole exam – so you can also repeat them individually.
How much does a B1 exam cost?
According to the BAMF, taking the final test of the integration course (DTZ and „Leben in Deutschland“) is free of charge. For telc B1 and the Goethe-Zertifikat, the official practice documents give no prices; ask the exam centre.
Read more and practise
- DTZ B1 examProcedure, points, result A2 or B1, tips for Lesen Teil 1–5.
- telc B1 examZertifikat Deutsch: format, points, passing and differences from the DTZ.
- Writing a letter at B1Structure, useful phrases and examples for the B1 letter.
- DTZ Lesen Teil 1Exercises in the DTZ format, the first three of every part free.
Sources: Übungssatz 1 and 2 „Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer A2–B1“ (g.a.s.t., 2024), Übungstest 1 „Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1“ (telc gGmbH, 2020), Übungssatz Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Erwachsene (Goethe-Institut, 2017), BAMF, AufenthG and StAG, checked on 13.10.2026. telc is a registered trademark of telc gGmbH. LexDeutsch is an independent learning portal and has no business connection with telc gGmbH, the Goethe-Institut, g.a.s.t. or the BAMF. Not legal advice.