The German B1 Exam: How to Choose and How to Pass
The German B1 exam can be taken as the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or ÖSD B1 (for Austria) — all three are officially recognised and correspond to the same CEFR level. The exam has four parts: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen. Passing usually requires around 60% in each module. With regular study, 8–12 weeks is usually enough starting from a solid A2.
Goethe, telc or ÖSD: which exam to choose
In Germany and Austria, B1 can be certified through three main exams: Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1 and ÖSD Zertifikat B1. All three are officially recognised for citizenship, residence permits and most professional purposes — the difference isn't the level, but who administers the exam and how it's organised.
telc is usually cheaper and more accessible: many Volkshochschule (VHS) centres across Germany offer it, and it's the exam typically used after an Integrationskurs. The Goethe-Institut is the most recognised brand outside Germany, which matters if you need to show the certificate to an employer or university abroad. ÖSD is the natural choice if you're in Austria: it's accepted by Austrian immigration and citizenship authorities, and its format leans closer to Austrian German.
How the exam works: four modules and the pass threshold
The B1 exam (the structure is very similar across Goethe, telc and ÖSD) has four parts: Lesen (reading) — several texts with questions; Hören (listening) — recorded conversations and announcements; Schreiben (writing) — a personal letter or message for a given situation; Sprechen (speaking) — usually a paired exam in three parts: introducing yourself, planning something together, and a short presentation with questions.
The written parts (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben) are usually taken on the same day, while Sprechen is often a separate session. Passing generally requires about 60% overall, and Goethe also requires a minimum score in each module separately — so failing one module badly cannot simply be offset by doing well in the others.
An 8–12 week study plan
If you already have a solid A2, 8–12 weeks of regular study is usually enough. The first 2–3 weeks should close gaps in B1 grammar (subordinate clauses, the passive voice, polite Konjunktiv II forms) and expand vocabulary around common topics like work, health, housing and the environment.
The next 4–6 weeks should train the exam format itself, not just the language: working through sample letters for Schreiben, listening at real exam speed, and speaking tasks with a partner or an app. The final 2 weeks should be full timed practice exams to get used to the pressure and task types.
Registration, exam day, and how Deutsch30 helps
You can register directly through the Goethe-Institut website, a local telc centre, a Volkshochschule, or an ÖSD centre in Austria. You'll usually need valid ID and to pay a fee, which varies by city and institute but is roughly 150–220 euros for the full B1 exam.
On exam day, arrive early with your passport and registration confirmation; phones and notes are not allowed. Deutsch30 is a structured A0-to-C1 course that trains all four exam modules, with practice tasks modelled on the real exam format and an AI partner for speaking practice. You can start the Foundation level for free and begin with the placement test.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the German B1 exam cost?
It depends on the institute and city, but it's usually around 150–220 euros for the full exam (Goethe, telc or ÖSD), including both the written and speaking parts.
Which B1 exam should I choose — Goethe, telc or ÖSD?
ÖSD makes more sense for Austria. In Germany, telc is often cheaper and more accessible through a Volkshochschule, especially after an Integrationskurs. Goethe-Institut is the most recognised name if the certificate needs to be shown outside Germany or Austria.
What happens if I fail one of the four modules?
Goethe and telc both require a minimum score in each module separately, not just an overall percentage. If one module is failed badly, you usually need to retake the full exam, though some centres allow retaking just the failed module — check the specific institute's rules.