Practise telc Deutsch B2.
155 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Required for many vocational training programmes, for the recognition of foreign qualifications and for work in nursing.
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)90 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)20 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)30 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)15 minIn preparation here
- Total155 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of telc Deutsch B2 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 1Global reading | Match five texts to the right one of ten headlines. (Matching) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Detailed reading | A demanding newspaper text, five three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 3Selective reading | Match ten situations to twelve adverts; not every situation has one. (Matching) | 10 tasks |
| Teil 4Language elements, part 1 | A text with ten gaps, three options each: grammar. (Gap text with options) | 10 tasks |
| Teil 5Language elements, part 2 | A text with ten gaps, fifteen words to choose from: vocabulary. (Gap text with word bank) | 10 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Global listening | A news broadcast, five statements: true or false. (True or false) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 2Detailed listening | A radio interview, ten statements: true or false. (True or false) | 10 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 3Selective listening | Five short announcements, one statement each: true or false. (True or false) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Letter | A formal or semi-formal letter on one of two topics, four points, at least 150 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Presentation | Present a prepared topic. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Discussion | Discuss a text that takes a position. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Problem solving | Solve a task as a pair and agree. (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 B2 demands
The written part takes 140 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 90 minutes. In telc the reading part also carries the Sprachbausteine, a pure grammar and vocabulary section with nothing to interpret.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand articles and reports on current questions in which the writers take a particular stance.
- Hören (Listening)
- Follow longer talks and discussions, provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write clear, detailed texts, argue a position and weigh advantages against disadvantages.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Speak fluently and spontaneously enough for a normal conversation with native speakers to take no effort.
Where B2 is usually lost
At B2 you are expected for the first time to argue a position, not only describe. Whoever answers by narrating instead of arguing loses in task fulfilment, even with flawless German.
As a guideline, about 600 to 800 lessons from zero are quoted for B2. 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 B2 take?
- About 155 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 90 minutes, Hören (Listening) 20 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 30 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 15 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for telc Deutsch B2?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for B2 take?
- As a guideline, about 600 to 800 lessons from zero are quoted for B2 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.