B1 telc Model Test

Model tests are only available to users with a subscription or paid access.

You are preparing for the telc Deutsch B1 exam and want to know whether you are really ready for exam day? The telc B1 model test is your most important tool: it mirrors the real exam exactly so that neither the format nor the time pressure catches you off guard on exam day. This way you practise under real conditions — but without any stress.

What is the telc B1 model test?

The telc B1 model test is a realistic practice version of the official exam telc Deutsch B1 (also known as Zertifikat Deutsch). The exam is developed by the non-profit organisation telc gGmbH. With the model test you check your current level of knowledge, get to know the task types and train your time management.

Important to understand: unlike the DTZ, telc Deutsch B1 is not a scaled exam. The DTZ can result in a certificate at A2 or B1 depending on the score. With telc B1, on the other hand, you are specifically testing level B1 — you either pass or you do not. That is precisely why targeted training with the right model test is worthwhile.

Who is this model test for?

People who need a language certificate for naturalisation.
Participants who want to take telc B1 as the final exam of an integration course.
Applicants who need B1 for a permanent residence permit or for work.
Anyone who wants to check their confidence in Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen.

Exam structure: an overview of the sections

The model test reflects the structure of the real exam. telc Deutsch B1 consists of a written and an oral section, which are assessed separately.

Written section

Leseverstehen: extract information from texts, advertisements and notices (3 parts).
Sprachbausteine: use grammar and vocabulary in context (2 parts).
Hörverstehen: understand everyday and professional conversations as well as announcements (3 parts).
Schriftlicher Ausdruck: write a letter or email addressing four Leitpunkte.

Oral section

The oral exam takes place as a paired exam (Paarprüfung) and consists of three parts:
1. Making contact — you introduce yourselves and ask each other questions.
2. Discussion of a topic — you exchange opinions and experiences.
3. Solving a task together — you plan an activity together.

Time management: exactly how much time do you have?

Time pressure is one of the biggest hurdles in telc B1. The written exam lasts 150 minutes in total. Here is the official time breakdown:

Exam section	Duration	Focus
Leseverstehen & Sprachbausteine	90 minutes	Text comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
Hörverstehen	30 minutes	Global, detail and selective comprehension
Schriftlicher Ausdruck	30 minutes	Text production (letter/email)
Oral exam	approx. 15 minutes (+ 20 minutes preparation)	Dialogue & joint planning

Tip

Plan your own time for Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine — both sections together form a block of 90 minutes. Anyone who spends too long on the reading section loses valuable minutes for Sprachbausteine.

Assessment and points: how to pass telc B1

In the entire exam you can achieve 300 points: 225 points in the written section and 75 points in the oral section. One important feature of telc is decisive: the two sections are assessed separately and not added together.

To pass you need at least 60 percent in each section:
✓ written section: 135 out of 225 points
✓ oral section: 45 out of 75 points

This means in practice: even with an excellent written result you do not pass if you fall below 45 points in Sprechen. Here is how the points are distributed across the individual sections:

Subtest	Points	Section
Leseverstehen	75	written
Sprachbausteine	30	written
Hörverstehen	75	written
Schriftlicher Ausdruck	45	written
Mündlicher Ausdruck	75	oral

Important rule for Schreiben

A strict rule applies to Schriftlicher Ausdruck: anyone who does not address the Leitpunkte sufficiently or makes too many formal errors can in the worst case receive zero points. Therefore address all four Leitpunkte and make sure to include a clear structure with a salutation and closing.

Common mistakes in the telc B1 model test

Tip

Many people lose time because they want to understand every word in Lesen and Hören. Concentrate only on the signal words from the task — this way you find the answer faster.

Missing the topic: read the writing task carefully — who is writing to whom and why?
Forgetting Leitpunkte: mentally tick off each of the four Leitpunkte as you write.
Too passive in the conversation: do not just wait for questions — actively contribute to the conversation.
Transfer errors: transfer your answers to the answer sheet (Antwortbogen) in good time.

👉 Ready for the test?

Start your telc B1 model test online now at Vorbereitung mit BO, practise all sections under real conditions and secure your certificate!

FAQ — telc B1 model test

What is the telc B1 model test?

The telc B1 model test is a practice version of the official exam telc Deutsch B1. It mirrors the structure, task types and time requirements of the real exam and helps you prepare specifically for Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen.

How many points do you need to pass the telc B1 exam?

A total of 300 points are possible. You need at least 60 percent in each section separately: 135 out of 225 points in the written section and 45 out of 75 points in the oral section. The points from the two sections are not added together.

How does telc B1 differ from the DTZ?

The DTZ is a scaled exam and can result in a certificate at A2 or B1. telc Deutsch B1, on the other hand, specifically tests level B1. The structure also differs: telc B1 contains its own subtest Sprachbausteine for grammar and vocabulary.

How long does the telc B1 exam last?

The written section lasts 150 minutes: 90 minutes for Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine, 30 minutes for Hörverstehen and 30 minutes for Schriftlicher Ausdruck. The oral exam lasts approximately 15 minutes, with around 20 minutes of preparation time.

Can you retake one part of the telc B1 exam?

Yes. From level B1 onwards you can retake the failed section separately with telc. If you pass the written section but not the oral section, for example, you only retake the oral exam — generally until the end of the following calendar year.

Are there audio files for Hörverstehen?

Yes, audio files for Hörverstehen are included with the model test. This way you practise understanding conversations and announcements exactly as in the real exam.

How often should you do the model test before the exam?

A good strategy is to complete the full test once a week and use the remaining time to analyse your mistakes. The exact frequency depends on your level and the time remaining before the exam.