Goethe B1 vs telc B1
B1 is the same level, but the written jobs differ
Goethe B1 certifies four modules separately. telc B1 combines a written score with a separate oral check and adds Sprachbausteine, so the best preparation plan depends on the board.
Both papers sit at B1 on the CEFR scale, but the reading, language-elements, listening, writing and speaking routes are different. Choose the board before you copy a study plan.
Goethe uses five reading parts, four listening parts and three writing tasks, then asks Sprechen to plan, present, give feedback and ask or answer questions. telc uses three Lesen parts, two Sprachbausteine parts and one writing task.
The score language changes too. Goethe uses 60 of 100 in each module, while telc uses 180 overall with written and oral minimums.
A telc B1 mock is written only. Give the separate oral paper its own partner practice instead of reading a written result as a full certificate decision.
Use a split notebook for the first B1 week. The Goethe side can hold three writing outlines and a plan, presentation, feedback and question rehearsal, while the telc side can hold the three Lesen parts, two language-elements parts and one writing checklist.
For the score decision, record the module or block that still needs evidence instead of averaging away a weak line. A written telc practice result can guide the next written session, but it cannot answer the separate Sprechen question.
End each B1 week with one paired rehearsal. Plan a small Goethe activity together or prepare the telc get-acquainted, topic and planning exchange, then note whether your partner could follow the message without your script.
A good B1 comparison is visible in the first page of your notebook. Put the Goethe module name or telc block at the top, write the time beside it, and leave one line for the repair you will make next time.
If the receiving body accepts both boards, let the live date be the last filter. A convenient date cannot rescue a paper whose writing or speaking work you have not practised in its own shape.
Use the first B1 practice result to choose the next question, not to declare a winner: did the clock fail, did the response type surprise you, or did the language itself block the message? Each answer points to a different repair.
For Goethe, keep the three speaking jobs distinct even when the topic is related. For telc, keep the written block and partner speaking exchange distinct, because a confident discussion cannot replace the written language-elements work.
A partner can help with this decision by naming the point where your message stopped being easy to follow. Turn that observation into one timed repair task before the next full paper.
Keep the repair narrow enough to repeat twice before you judge the board again.
Record the result in plain language.
Decide in 3 questions
Question 1 of 3
What does the requirement name?
Which written route matches your week?
How will you practise Sprechen?
Your answers so far
Answer each question to see the next step
Side by side
The B1 paper map
| Feature | Goethe B1 | telc B1 |
|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 5 Teile, 30 prompts and 65 minutes | 3 parts: 5 headings, 5 selected-answer items and 10 situation-to-notice matches |
| Sprachbausteine | No separate block | 20 items: 10 multiple-choice and 10 lexical |
| Hören | 4 Teile, 30 prompts and 40 minutes | 3 parts, 20 prompts and about 30 minutes |
| Schreiben | 3 tasks and 60 minutes | 1 task and 30 minutes |
| Sprechen | Pair paper with planning, presentation, feedback and questions | Three parts: get acquainted, talk about a topic and plan together; 20 minutes preparation and about 15 minutes speaking |
| Scoring | 60 of 100 in each module | 300 overall, 180 total, 135 written and 45 oral minimums |
| Mock scope | Goethe paper for the board and level currently offered | Written paper only, with Sprechen separate |
The official facts, board by board
| Fact | Goethe | telc |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate name | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1 |
| How the exam is organised | 4 modules, each taken together or on its own, each with its own result. Breaks of at least 15 minutes between written modules. | One exam: 4 written sections plus a speaking test, one combined result. |
| Written part | Lesen (reading), 65 min; Hören (listening), 40 min; Schreiben (writing), 60 min. About 165 minutes in total. | Leseverstehen (reading), shared 90 min with Language Elements; Sprachbausteine (language elements), shared 90 min with Reading; Hörverstehen (listening), about 30 min; Schriftlicher Ausdruck (writing), 30 min. About 150 minutes in total. |
| Grammar and vocabulary section | No separate section. | Sprachbausteine (language elements): 2 parts, 20 questions, shared 90 min with Reading. |
| Listening | 4 parts, 30 questions, played 1 to 2 times depending on the part. | 3 parts, 20 questions, played 1 to 2 times depending on the part. |
| Writing | 3 tasks in 60 min. | 1 task in 30 min. |
| Speaking | In pairs, 3 parts, about 15 minutes, about 10 minutes alone in exceptional cases, 15 minutes of preparation, notes allowed. | In pairs, 3 parts, about 15 minutes, 20 minutes of preparation, notes allowed. |
| Questions and tasks in total | 66 | 64 |
| Scoring and pass mark | 100 points per module, pass at 60. Each module is certified separately. | 300 points in total, pass at 180. At least 135 of 225 in the written part and 45 of 75 in speaking. |
| Retaking the exam | Each of the four modules can be taken or retaken on its own, as often as the exam centre's capacity allows. You keep every module you pass. | The whole exam can be retaken as many times as you wish. If you did not pass, either the written part or the speaking part can be retaken within 12 months of the first results sheet and the passed part is credited, provided you tell the exam centre when you register that you want the credit. A single subtest cannot be retaken alone. |
| Certificate validity | Valid indefinitely. The body receiving it (authority, embassy, university, employer) decides how recent it must be. | No validity period is printed on the certificate. The institution receiving an older certificate decides whether it still counts for its purpose. |
| Who runs the exam | Goethe-Instituts and their exam cooperation partners. From B1 up, the modules can be taken separately at different times or together on one exam date, and each module receives its own result. | Licensed examination centres. telc licenses the centre; the centre schedules exam dates, handles registration and issues the invoice. |
Who should pick which
Two routes, one decision
Pick Goethe B1 when
The requested certificate names Goethe or you can consistently rehearse three writing tasks and the planning, presentation, feedback and question route. Track each module against its own 60-point line.
Pick telc B1 when
The requested certificate names telc or the telc centre has the usable date. Reserve time for three Lesen parts, two language-elements parts and a separate three-part partner speaking paper.
Your next step
Where to go from here
Prepare, then book
Prepare on Sprachpass in the exact format of the board you book. Dates, fees and centres live on BookGermanTest.
Questions
What people ask before they decide
Which B1 paper has Sprachbausteine?
telc B1 includes 20 language-elements items, split into 10 multiple-choice and 10 lexical items. The Goethe B1 guide does not add that separate block.
What does Goethe B1 Sprechen test?
The three jobs are planning something together, giving a presentation, then giving feedback and asking or answering questions about the presentation. Practise each job with a partner.
What happens in telc B1 Sprechen?
The three parts move from getting acquainted to talking about a topic and planning together. The written mock remains separate from this partner paper.
Can a telc written mock settle the oral result?
No. The telc mock composition is written only and Sprechen remains a separate graded module.
Read the two results together only after both routes have been practised.
Which B1 paper is easier?
The papers are different, not universally easier or harder. Familiarity with the chosen board's response types and clocks is the practical advantage.
Where are B1 dates and fees?
BookGermanTest carries the live centre list. The organisation receiving the certificate decides which board and recency rule applies.
Do both B1 certificates prove the same level?
Both use the B1 level reference, but the certificate, board and receiving-body rule remain separate questions. Confirm the exact certificate wording before booking.
Continue
Sources: Council of Europe, Goethe B1 and telc B1 official sources plus product mock rules.
All sources
- Council of Europe CEFR 3.3 Global Scale
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam rules (Durchführungsbestimmungen)
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Modellsatz Erwachsene
- Official telc Deutsch B1 exam page
- Official telc Deutsch B1 Übungstest 1 PDF, result thresholds
- Sprachpass mock composition and written-only result handling (src/lib/api/mock.ts)
- Sprachpass mock timing, audio, break and feedback rules (src/lib/app/mock-fidelity.ts)
- Sprachpass exam shape registry (src/lib/exam-shape-data.ts)
- Official telc Deutsch B1 mock examination
- Goethe-Institut exam FAQ: retakes and certificate validity
- telc rules and regulations, valid from 15 April 2025: Examination Regulations section 7 and its Appendix 1 (allocation of partial credit), General Terms section 2 and 3
Ready when you are
Keep one B1 paper visible
Open the matching guide, practise its response types and check the live board date before you book.
