German B1 exam: which one to choose and how to prepare
B1 is the level required for most German procedures: the integration course, settlement permits and citizenship. You can take Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD B1 or the DTZ. The exam tests reading, listening, writing and speaking; for the certificate you generally need at least 60% in each module.
Why Ukrainians need B1
B1 means independent language use: you can explain a situation to an authority, write a formal letter, describe your plans and follow the main point of radio or news. German authorities treat this as sufficient language for many procedures.
For Ukrainians who arrived under temporary protection (§ 24 AufenthG), B1 matters for several reasons: it is the target level of the state integration course, it is hard to find skilled work without it, and permanent residence and citizenship requirements are proven with a certificate at B1 or above. Exact requirements depend on your status, so confirm them with your Ausländerbehörde.
Goethe, telc, ÖSD or DTZ: which to choose
Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is the most internationally recognised and accepted almost everywhere. It can be taken in Germany, Ukraine and other countries, but slots often fill several weeks ahead.
telc Deutsch B1 is usually cheaper and often offered at adult-education centres (VHS), so dates are easier to find. The format is similar: four parts at the same difficulty. ÖSD B1 is Austrian and the best choice if you plan to live in Austria.
The DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) is the final exam of the integration course, covering A2–B1. If you are not in an integration course, most people choose Goethe or telc. Always check which certificate the receiving authority accepts before registering.
What the B1 exam contains
All B1 formats test four skills: Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing) and Sprechen (speaking). Writing usually includes a personal letter, an email and a short opinion text; the speaking part is taken in pairs: you plan something together, give a short presentation and answer questions.
Typical difficulties for Ukrainian speakers include verb-final word order in subordinate clauses, articles and noun gender, cases after prepositions, and false friends such as «bekommen» (to receive, not to become). Practise writing templates and spoken phrases — B1 grading rewards task fulfilment, not just correctness.
An 8–12 week study plan
Weeks 1–3: close A2 gaps — Perfekt and Präteritum of modal verbs, cases, subordinate clauses with weil, dass, wenn, obwohl. Weeks 4–7: work through one task per module daily from the organiser's official sample papers and log your errors. Weeks 8–10: timed mock exams, writing with feedback and speaking with a partner or voice recordings.
In the final week do not learn new material: review letter templates, opinion phrases («Meiner Meinung nach…», «Einerseits… andererseits…») and logistics — documents, time, venue. 45–60 minutes every day beats one long session a week.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass B1?
For Goethe and telc you generally need at least 60% in each module (writing, reading, listening, speaking). Check the exact rules with your chosen provider.
How long is a B1 certificate valid?
The certificate itself does not expire, but some institutions require it to be no older than a certain period. Check with the organisation that asks for it.
Can I prepare for B1 on my own?
Yes, if you have a plan, official sample papers and practice for speaking and writing with feedback. Judging your own writing and speaking is the hardest part, so find a partner or a service that gives feedback.