telc Deutsch B2 exam: format, points, passing
telc Deutsch B2, the German exam: five parts, 300 points, passed with 60 % written and 60 % oral. Unlike B1, you hear every recording only once and choose between two writing tasks.
At a glance
Written: reading, language elements, listening and writing — 140 minutes in one sitting. Oral: a conversation with a partner, about 15 minutes, after 20 minutes to prepare. 300 points in all: 225 written, 75 oral.
The parts
| Part | Tasks | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 3 parts, 20 tasks | 90 min together | 75 |
| Language elements | 2 parts, 20 gaps | 30 | |
| Listening | 3 parts, 20 tasks, every recording once | about 20 min | 75 |
| Writing | a semi-formal e-mail, task A or B | 30 min | 45 |
| Speaking | 3 parts, with a partner | about 15 min | 75 |
Reading (Leseverstehen, 3 parts): ten headings for five texts, five multiple-choice questions on detail (on two articles in the practice test), ten situations matched to twelve short notices. When no notice fits, „x“ is the answer; each notice fits only once.
Language elements (Sprachbausteine, 2 parts): 10 gaps with three options each (grammar), 10 gaps filled from a box of 15 words — not all of them fit. 15 points per part. Practise the B2 Sprachbausteine
Listening (Hörverstehen, 3 parts, true or false): a news broadcast, a radio interview, five short announcements. Every recording plays once, and the tape is not stopped.
Writing: you choose task A or B — in the practice test, a request for information or a complaint — and write a semi-formal e-mail in 30 minutes: three of the four points, or two of them and one of your own, at least 150 words. One sentence per point is not enough here. And copy the number of your chosen task onto the answer sheet: without it, the writing gets zero points.
Speaking (points): you first introduce yourselves — this part is not marked. Then Talking about experiences (Über Erfahrungen sprechen): 25 · Discussion (Diskussion): 25 · Planning something together (Gemeinsam etwas planen): 25. In part 1 you talk for up to 1½ minutes on one of seven topics, prepared at home, and then answer questions. For parts 2 and 3 you have 20 minutes to prepare.
What is different from B1?
| B1 | B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 150 min | 140 min |
| Listening | about 30 min, part 1 once, parts 2 and 3 twice | about 20 min, all once |
| Writing | one task, four points | task A or B, three of four points, 150 words or more |
| Speaking | the introduction counts (15 points) | the introduction does not count; three parts of 25 points |
Reading and language elements, the points of the written parts and the pass rule stay the same. The B1 exam in detail
When is the exam passed?
With 60 % in each part, separately: 135 of 225 points written and 45 of 75 oral. A strong written part does not make up for a weak oral one. Only when both parts are enough are the points added up into the grade:
Grades
How is it marked?
- Reading, language elements and listening: automatically — the answer sheet is scanned and compared with the key.
- Writing: three criteria — task completion, communicative design, accuracy — each A to D, that is 5, 3, 1 or 0 points. The sum times three gives at most 45.
- Speaking: two examiners, each on their own, mark every part on four criteria — range of expression, task completion and accuracy at 7, 5, 3 or 0 points, pronunciation and intonation at 4, 2, 1 or 0. 25 per part in all.
What does the exam cost?
For example €175 at VHS Rhein-Sieg. Our practice tests: one free, all of them €39 for 90 days.
You can sit a full B2 test free: against the clock, every recording once, with your points against 60 %.
Take a B2 practice test free