What to do if you are missing 1–2 points in the DTZ writing part?

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Тема: Antrag auf Einsichtnahme und Nachkorrektur der DTZ-Schriftlichen Prüfung (Schreiben)

Текст заявления:

If you have taken the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ A2-B1) and you are missing only one or two points in the writing part (Schreiben), this can be very frustrating – especially if you are sure that you did everything correctly.

Important to know! You have the right to request a review of your result.


How to request a review of the DTZ writing score?

Contact the Prüfungszentrum (the center where you took the exam).

Ask for:

  • To view your work (Einsichtnahme) – you can see your letter and understand how it was evaluated.
  • You can usually do this within 4 weeks after receiving the result.
  • In some Prüfungszentren, you can also request a recheck (Nachkorrektur), if you have good reasons.

When can you request a review?

Just saying: "I think I wrote well" is not enough.

You need to have concrete arguments that the Prüfungszentrum is required to consider.

9 good reasons to request a review of the DTZ writing score

1️⃣ Unclear evaluation of the task points (Leitpunkte)

If you are sure that you answered all 4 points of the task, but you received only 2 or 3 points, this could be a reason for a review.

According to the official BAMF criteria, if all points are answered, you should receive 4 or 5 points for Inhalt (content).

2️⃣ Mistakes during the exam procedure

The examiners did not tell you "5 minutes left" at the end, although this is required by the rules.

This is written in the official document "Hinweise zur Durchführung und Organisation des DTZ", section 3.6.2, page 30.

If you couldn't finish your text because of this, you can file a complaint.

3️⃣ Different grading standards

If during the course you wrote similar letters and the teachers always gave you B1, but in the DTZ you suddenly got A2, this can be a sign of inconsistent grading.

4️⃣ Possible checking error

The examiners may have missed part of your text (for example, a paragraph on the next page), especially if you wrote in an unclear way or on two pages.

5️⃣ Wrong interpretation of mistakes

Maybe the examiner counted things as mistakes that are actually acceptable at B1 level.

In the official BAMF criteria it says:
“Overall good use of grammatical structures, despite some influence from the first language. Mistakes are allowed as long as the meaning is clear.”
If your text matches this description but you still lost points for small mistakes, you can request a recheck.

6️⃣ Too strict evaluation of vocabulary or grammar

Example: You repeated some words and lost points, but on B1 level this is allowed.
This could be a too strict interpretation of the rules.

7️⃣ Wrong language level evaluation

If you used B1-level grammar (for example, complex sentences, conjunctions, modal verbs), but you were graded A2, then this could be a wrong level assignment.

8️⃣ Special circumstances during the exam

For example, there were technical problems, noise, or a stressful situation that stopped you from finishing, but the examiner did not consider this.

9️⃣ Subjective grading

Sometimes the examiner may grade too subjectively. For example, he/she prefers short sentences, but you wrote long ones.
This is not allowed because the grading must be objective and follow the BAMF criteria, not personal taste.

Which official documents can you refer to?

All rules for appeals and reviews are written in the official documents:

"Hinweise zur Durchführung und Organisation des DTZ" (g.a.s.t.)

On page 37 it says:

4.6 Appeal against the exam result
Participants can file an appeal within three months after receiving the results.
The appeal must be submitted via the Prüfungszentrum or at www.gast.de/dtz.

4.7 Access to exam documents
Participants have the right to view their exam documents, including the written part.
The request must be made through the Prüfungszentrum or at www.gast.de/dtz.

How to use this information in your letter?

In your letter, you can write:
“Referring to point 4.6 and 4.7 of the ‚Hinweise zur Durchführung und Organisation des DTZ‘, page 37, I hereby submit an official appeal and kindly ask for access to my exam documents and an independent recheck of my writing.”

Example of a letter

Subject: Antrag auf Einsichtnahme und Nachkorrektur der DTZ-Schriftlichen Prüfung (Schreiben)

Text of the letter:

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

ich habe am [Datum] den Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ A2-B1) in Ihrem Prüfungszentrum abgelegt.

Bei der Auswertung habe ich im Teil Schreiben nur [z. B. 14 Punkte] bekommen. Das bedeutet, dass mir nur ein Punkt zum B1-Niveau fehlt.

Ich habe mich sehr intensiv auf den Test vorbereitet. Meine Texte im Unterricht wurden immer als B1 bewertet. Deshalb habe ich den Eindruck, dass die Bewertung meines Schreibens im DTZ nicht den üblichen Kriterien entspricht.

Begründung:

  • Ich habe alle vier Leitpunkte im Text bearbeitet.
  • Ich habe typische B1-Elemente benutzt (z. B. Nebensätze, Konnektoren, Modalverben).
  • Ähnliche Texte wurden im Unterricht immer als B1 bewertet.
  • Laut den Bewertungskriterien Schreiben (BAMF/g.a.s.t., 2023) sind auch Fehler erlaubt, solange der Text insgesamt verständlich ist.

Rechtliche Grundlage:

  • „Hinweise zur Durchführung und Organisation des DTZ“ (g.a.s.t.)
    • Punkt 4.6 – Beschwerde gegen das Ergebnis
    • Punkt 4.7 – Einsichtnahme in die Unterlagen
  • Bewertungskriterien Schreiben (BAMF/g.a.s.t.)

Mein Antrag:

  1. Ich bitte um Einsicht in meine Prüfungsunterlagen, besonders in das Bewertungsformular für den Teil Schreiben.
  2. Ich bitte um eine erneute unabhängige Korrektur meines Schreibens durch einen anderen Prüfer.

Bitte bestätigen Sie den Eingang meines Antrags und teilen Sie mir mit, wie es weitergeht.

Vielen Dank für Ihre Zeit und Unterstützung.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Ihr Name]
[Adresse]
[E-Mail]
[Telefonnummer]

Conclusion

If you think your work was evaluated unfairly, do not be afraid to stand up for your rights.
All procedures for this are officially written in the BAMF and g.a.s.t. guidelines.