Practise telc Deutsch C2.
245 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Proof of near-native competence, for teaching, translation or a doctorate, for example.
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)80 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)60 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)90 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)15 minIn preparation here
- Total245 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of telc Deutsch C2 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 1Text logic | Put five paragraphs in the right order. (Inserting text parts) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Detailed reading | A demanding text, ten three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 10 tasks |
| Teil 3Implicit meaning | Match ten statements to the right passages. (Matching) | 10 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Information transfer | Summarise a recording in writing. (Summary) | 1 taskplayed once |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Writing a text | An essay or position paper on the exam's overall topic, drawing on the reading and listening texts. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Talk | A talk on a prepared topic. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2In-depth conversation | A conversation about the talk. (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 C2 demands
The written part takes 230 minutes in total; the longest single module is Schreiben (Writing) at 90 minutes. In telc the reading part also carries the Sprachbausteine, a pure grammar and vocabulary section with nothing to interpret.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Read practically any kind of written text with ease, including abstract or linguistically complex specialist texts.
- Hören (Listening)
- Understand spoken language without effort, even at speed and with an unfamiliar accent.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write demanding texts in an appropriate style and present complex matters so that readers see the important points.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Express yourself effortlessly and precisely, and make finer shades of meaning clear even on complex topics.
Where C2 is usually lost
At C2 correct German is no longer enough. What is marked is whether you hit register and nuance; the same content in the wrong tone counts as not fulfilled.
As a guideline, about 1000 to 1200 lessons from zero are quoted for C2. 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 C2 take?
- About 245 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 80 minutes, Hören (Listening) 60 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 90 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 15 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for telc Deutsch C2?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for C2 take?
- As a guideline, about 1000 to 1200 lessons from zero are quoted for C2 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.