Prüfung Trainer
telc B1 Exam Preparation: Understand the Points, Study Smart
How many points each task is worth, what you need to pass, and how to plan your study time around it.
60% in the written and in the oral exam.
You need at least 135 of 225 points in the written exam and 45 of 75 points in the oral exam. Both are scored separately: a strong result in one does not make up for the other.
If you fail one part, you only retake that part, in the same or the following calendar year. Only the result of the retake then counts.
Not every task is worth the same.
Calculated from the official points table: the points of a part divided by its number of tasks.
| Part | Tasks | Points | Per task |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, part 1 | 5 | 25 | 5 |
| Reading, part 2 | 5 | 25 | 5 |
| Reading, part 3 | 10 | 25 | 2.5 |
| Sprachbausteine, part 1 | 10 | 15 | 1.5 |
| Sprachbausteine, part 2 | 10 | 15 | 1.5 |
| Listening, part 1 (played once) | 5 | 25 | 5 |
| Listening, part 2 (played twice) | 10 | 25 | 2.5 |
| Listening, part 3 (played twice) | 5 | 25 | 5 |
| Writing | 1 | 45 | – |
So one task in reading part 1 is worth more than three Sprachbausteine tasks. Timing: reading and Sprachbausteine together 90 minutes (you split the time yourself), listening approx. 30 minutes, writing 30 minutes.
Example calculation
50 points in reading + 50 in listening + 15 in Sprachbausteine + 27 in writing = 142 points. That is enough to pass the written exam (at least 135), even though no part has full marks.
In pairs, about 15 minutes, 20 minutes preparation.
- Part 1, getting to know each other: 15 points
- Part 2, talking about a topic: 30 points
- Part 3, planning something together: 30 points
A suggestion in four steps.
Our recommendation, not an official rule. Adjust the pace to your time.
- Find your level: start with one complete mock test under real timing. You'll see which part costs you the most points.
- Prioritise by points: start with your weakest part among those worth many points per task (reading 1 and 2, listening 1 and 3).
- Practise writing regularly: one email a week covering all four points, then check it against a checklist. More in the German B1 letter writing guide.
- Simulate exam conditions: in the last days before the exam, do complete timed mock tests; practise the oral parts out loud with a partner.
Common questions
How many points do I need to pass telc B1?
135 of 225 points in the written exam and 45 of 75 points in the oral exam, i.e. 60% each.
Do I have to retake everything if I fail one part?
No. You only retake the part you failed (written or oral), in the same or the following calendar year.
Where can I practise with mock tests?
telc offers one free practice test. B1 Prüfung Trainer has 15 telc B1 mock tests with 900 questions in the exam format, with time limits and explanations in German and Turkish, plus speaking practice for Teil 1–3 with AI feedback; Test 1 is free.
Source (accessed 2 October 2026): telc Deutsch B1, Übungstest 1 (2020), sections “Punkte und Gewichtung”, “Wer erhält ein Zertifikat?” and “Wiederholung der Prüfung”. Points per task are calculated from it. All texts are written in our own words.
If you fail, you pay the fee again.
Taking it once is the cheapest option.
Don't leave it to chance: know the format cold, learn the traps, and walk in with confidence.
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