Practise Goethe-Zertifikat B1.
180 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
The most requested level: naturalisation, the permanent settlement permit and the integration course all hinge on it.
In the Goethe-Zertifikat every module counts on its own. Pass three and fail one, and you repeat only that one. That makes the exam dearer per module, and much cheaper when something goes wrong.
- Lesen (Reading)65 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)40 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)60 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)15 minIn preparation here
- Total180 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of Goethe-Zertifikat B1 are divided, following the board's published format. Knowing the parts means losing no exam time to the instructions.
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Reading correspondence | A blog or message, six statements: true or false. (True or false) | 6 tasks |
| Teil 2Information and argument | Two press texts, six tasks with three options each. (Multiple choice) | 6 tasks |
| Teil 3Reading for orientation | Match seven situations to adverts; not every situation has one. (Matching) | 7 tasks |
| Teil 4Opinions | Seven readers' contributions: for or against? (Yes or no) | 7 tasks |
| Teil 5Written instructions | Rules or instructions, four tasks with three options each. (Multiple choice) | 4 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Announcements and instructions | Five short recordings, each with a true/false statement and a three-option question. (Multiple choice) | 10 tasksplayed twice |
| Teil 2Talk or guided tour | One speaker at length, five three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 3Everyday conversation | A conversation, seven statements: true or false. (True or false) | 7 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 4Radio discussion | Three people discuss: who says what? (Matching) | 8 tasksplayed twice |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Personal message | An informal e-mail covering three points, about 80 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Teil 2Giving an opinion | A forum post with your own opinion on a statement, about 80 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Teil 3Semi-formal message | A short polite message, apologising or asking for something, about 40 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Planning together | Plan an activity as a pair along four points. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Presentation | Present a topic along five slides. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Feedback | React to the other person's presentation and ask a question. (Oral) | – |
Figures follow the board's published format. Your test centre's exam regulations are always what counts.
What happens if you do not pass
Each module counts on its own. A failed module can be repeated alone. At a fee of €170 to €230 per attempt, that is the most expensive difference between the boards.
Fee for Goethe-Zertifikat B1: about €170 to €230 at German test centres. Single modules cost around €90, which matters when only one module is repeated.
What level B1 demands
The written part takes 165 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 65 minutes. Because the Goethe-Zertifikat is modular, you can spread the four modules over different dates and, after a fail, repeat only the module concerned.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand texts about work, school and leisure, and recognise wishes and opinions in private letters.
- Hören (Listening)
- Understand the main points of clear standard German, including radio pieces on familiar topics.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write connected texts on familiar topics and describe experiences and impressions in a letter.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Join conversations on everyday topics without preparation, justify an opinion and tell a story.
Where B1 is usually lost
At B1 the writing almost always decides. A missed Leitpunkt costs more points than a handful of grammar mistakes, and whoever misjudges the time never reaches the last point.
As a guideline, about 350 to 650 lessons from zero are quoted for B1. The range is wide because prior knowledge of a related language changes the effort a lot. It serves rough planning, not as a promise.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does Goethe-Zertifikat B1 take?
- About 180 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 65 minutes, Hören (Listening) 40 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 60 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 15 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for Goethe-Zertifikat B1?
- Normally 60 per cent. Each module counts on its own. A failed module can be repeated alone.
- How long does preparing for B1 take?
- As a guideline, about 350 to 650 lessons from zero are quoted for B1 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.
- What does Goethe-Zertifikat B1 cost?
- At German test centres the fee lies between about €170 and €230. Single modules cost around €90, which matters when only one module is repeated. Your test centre sets the exact fee.