Difference between B1 and B2 German: what telc asks of you

At B1, by the Common European Framework of Reference, you understand the main points of clear standard language on familiar matters; at B2, the main ideas of complex text, abstract topics included. In the telc exams, telc Deutsch B1 and B2, this shows less in the shape than in the details: at B2 every listening recording plays only once, the e-mail needs at least 150 words, and the written exam takes 140 minutes instead of 150.

What is the difference according to the CEFR?

The Council of Europe’s global scale describes each level in three sentences. Read side by side:

The answer to “what do you need to be able to do for B1?” is in the left column: talk about experiences and plans and say briefly why. B2 asks you to weigh up the same topics.

What is the same in both exams?

More than you would expect. Both exams have 300 points: 225 written, 75 oral. You pass with 60 % in each of the two parts, 135 and 45 points, and the grades from «ausreichend» to «sehr gut» sit at the same scores. Reading and language elements share the format: in reading 5 matching, 5 multiple-choice and 10 matching items, in language elements 10 multiple-choice and 10 matching, 90 minutes together. Listening has 20 true/false items in three parts at both levels, and you get 30 minutes for the e-mail in each.

The texts are harder at B2; the format stays. If you know the B1 task types, you already know those of B2 in reading and language elements.

What is different in the exam?

Four places, all from telc’s two Übungstests:

In listening, B2 drops the second hearing: at B1 you hear the conversation in part 2 and the texts in part 3 twice, at B2 there is no second round. More in listening: how many times do you hear each text?. In writing, B2 counts depth: a point only counts as covered with more than one sentence. How speaking is marked at both levels is in the speaking exam: how the oral is marked.

B1 or B2: which exam do you need?

The one the body you apply to asks for. For two common cases the law says it: for naturalisation, § 10 (4) StAG asks for a language exam at level B1, and for the settlement permit “sufficient” German is required, which § 2 (11) AufenthG defines as B1. For employers, universities or professional recognition, ask the body itself.

telc’s exam rules name no lower-level certificate in their rules on registration. They do allow every exam centre to set its own conditions, prices and terms, so ask there.

If you are unsure which level you can manage, compare at the level of tasks: write a B1 e-mail with four short guiding points, then a B2 e-mail of 150 words, and listen to a B2 recording only once. Where you get stuck is your level. What counts for how much in each exam is on the telc Deutsch B1 exam and telc Deutsch B2 exam pages.