B1 Beruf Complaint Writing

Preparation for Complaint Letters in the B1 Beruf Exam

The section “Complaints and Instructions” is an important part of the B1 Beruf exam in German. It tests whether candidates can handle typical professional situations in writing. Writing a complaint letter is one of the most common tasks and requires clear, polite, and structured expression.

Content and structure of this exam section

This part usually includes two main tasks: reading professional texts such as complaints or work instructions, and independently writing a complaint letter or a clear instruction. The time allowed is typically between 60 and 90 minutes. The focus is on practical skills needed in everyday professional life.

Typical topics and examples

The topics often relate to concrete workplace situations, such as faulty deliveries, technical problems, unclear instructions, or requests to clarify misunderstandings. An example might be writing a complaint to a supervisor because work materials are missing or a machine is malfunctioning.

What examiners pay attention to

• Complete and appropriate handling of the task
• Clear and well-structured text organization
• Appropriate, polite language in a professional context
• Use of simple but correct grammatical structures
• Comprehensible and understandable presentation of the complaint or instruction

Experiences of exam candidates

Many candidates report that preparing complaint letters helped them stay calm during the exam. “I studied sample texts and practiced how to write politely but clearly,” says Lena from Cologne. Jonas from Frankfurt emphasizes the importance of expressing the main points briefly and precisely.

Recommendations for optimal preparation

• Regular practice of professional texts and complaint letters
• Studying examples from past exams and learning materials
• Writing your own texts focusing on politeness and clarity
• Following a logical text structure with introduction, main part, and conclusion
• Using typical phrases like “I would like to complain because …” or “Please clarify …”

Expert opinion

Olena Bazalukova, an experienced language trainer, emphasizes: “In the B1 Beruf exam, it is important that candidates express their concerns clearly and politely. A complaint letter must be well structured and include the essential points. Those who prepare with realistic examples can confidently master this part even if their grammar is not perfect.”

In summary, targeted preparation for writing complaint letters and understanding professional instructions provides a solid foundation to pass the written part of the B1 exam confidently and present oneself as linguistically competent in the workplace.