Practise telc Deutsch A1.
80 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Mostly for spousal reunification: anyone joining a partner in Germany usually has to prove basic German.
telc exams are passed or failed as a whole. The reading part also carries the Sprachbausteine, a pure grammar and vocabulary section the other boards do not have.
- Lesen (Reading)25 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)20 minAnswer key, instant
- Schreiben (Writing)20 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)15 minIn preparation here
- Total80 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of telc Deutsch A1 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 1Short texts | Two short texts such as e-mails or notes, five statements: true or false. (True or false) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Adverts | Two adverts per situation: which one fits (a or b)? (Multiple choice) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 3Signs and notices | Five signs or notices, one statement each: true or false. (True or false) | 5 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Short conversations | Six short everyday conversations, one question each with three options (a, b, c). (Multiple choice) | 6 tasksplayed twice |
| Teil 2Announcements | Four public announcements, one statement each: true or false. (True or false) | 4 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 3Phone messages | Five recorded messages, one question each with three options. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed twice |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Form | Fill in the five missing entries of a form from a short description of the situation. (Filling in a form) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Short message | A short message or e-mail covering three points, about 30 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Introducing yourself | Introduce yourself along given keywords. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Asking for information | Ask and answer questions on a topic. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Making requests | Make and respond to requests from picture cards. (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
The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part. Your test centre sets the fee, and it differs from place to place.
What level A1 demands
The written part takes 65 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 25 minutes. In telc the reading part also carries the Sprachbausteine, a pure grammar and vocabulary section with nothing to interpret.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand single words and very short sentences: signs, adverts, a form, a short note.
- Hören (Listening)
- Understand announcements spoken very slowly and clearly about familiar things: times, prices, directions.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Fill in a form and write a short, simple message, such as a postcard or a cancellation.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Introduce yourself, ask the way, buy something, in simple sentences, with pauses.
Where A1 is usually lost
The commonest reason for failing A1 is not missing vocabulary but the form: whoever assigns the columns wrongly loses points the language had long earned.
As a guideline, about 80 to 200 lessons from zero are quoted for A1. 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 telc Deutsch A1 take?
- About 80 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 25 minutes, Hören (Listening) 20 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 20 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 15 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for telc Deutsch A1?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for A1 take?
- As a guideline, about 80 to 200 lessons from zero are quoted for A1 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.