German B1 Oral Exam: telc, DTZ and Goethe Compared

The German B1 oral exam has three parts in all three common exams and is normally taken as a pair exam with a second candidate. telc Deutsch B1 and the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 each allow about 15 minutes for the conversation; for the DTZ, the pair exam plus the examiners' deliberation takes about 20 minutes in total. The content of the three exams differs quite a bit, so it pays to look closely at your own.

How is the B1 oral exam structured?

All three exams ask you to hold a conversation with a partner: make suggestions, give opinions, and ask questions. The official practice materials describe the sequence like this (practice sets dated Goethe-Institut 2016, telc 2019, g.a.s.t. 2024 – check the provider's current information before your exam):

• telc Deutsch B1: Getting to know each other (about 3 minutes), Talking about a topic (about 6 minutes), Planning something together (about 6 minutes). Preparation: 20 minutes.
• DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer): Talking about yourself (about 4 minutes), Talking about experiences (about 6 minutes), Planning something together (about 6 minutes). After that, the examiners spend roughly four minutes discussing the assessment.
• Goethe-Zertifikat B1: Planning something together (about 3 minutes), Presenting a topic (about 3 minutes), Talking about a topic (about 2 minutes). Preparation: 15 minutes, on your own.

The order is a notable difference: the Goethe exam starts straight away with the planning task, while in telc and the DTZ it comes last. And only the Goethe-Zertifikat includes a real presentation as a monologue.

How does the oral exam work in telc Deutsch B1?

In the preparation room, candidates receive all task sheets and have 20 minutes. Notes are allowed, but only on sheets stamped by the exam centre, and they should not be read out in the conversation. Then the exam begins, with two examiners:

1. Getting to know each other: Both candidates talk about themselves and ask their partner questions. The keywords on the task sheet are for orientation, and the examiners may bring up an additional topic.
2. Talking about a topic: Each candidate has a different task sheet with opposing opinions on a topic. First they inform each other about these opinions, then they discuss the topic and share their own experiences and views.
3. Planning something together: The two organise a given event; in the practice test, for example, an event, a party, a concert, an exhibition, or a sports event. They contribute ideas, react to suggestions, and clarify what needs to be done and who takes which task.

How does the oral exam work in the DTZ?

The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer is the final exam of the integration course. Two licensed examiners conduct the oral part. According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), the oral part takes about 15 minutes; in the practice set from the test developer g.a.s.t., about 20 minutes are scheduled for the pair exam in total, including roughly four minutes for the examiners' deliberation. The parts:

1. Talking about yourself: Both candidates introduce themselves in turn using given keywords and each is asked an additional question.
2. Talking about experiences: Each candidate gets a picture on a topic, and the pictures differ. The candidates speak about their picture in turn; the examiners follow up with questions or speaking prompts.
3. Planning something together: Both have the same task sheet, share ideas, make suggestions, and respond to their partner's suggestions.

Important: to receive the B1 certificate, you must reach at least B1 in the speaking part. If you score below A2 there, you get no certificate at all.

How does the oral exam work in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1?

In the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 you prepare alone for 15 minutes, may take notes for each task, and are expected to speak freely during the exam. Three tasks follow:

1. Planning something together: You plan something with your partner using four guiding points; the practice set, for example, has you plan a trip to a language course in Cologne that you have won. You make suggestions and react to your partner's.
2. Presenting a topic: You choose one of two topics and present it using five given slides.
3. Talking about a topic: You react to feedback and questions on your presentation. For your partner's presentation, you give feedback yourself and ask a question.

How is the oral exam assessed?

Assessment is set up differently in each exam, so here is only what the official documents state:

• telc: Each of the three parts is assessed independently on four criteria: expressiveness, task completion, formal accuracy, and pronunciation and intonation. Part one is worth up to 15 points, parts two and three up to 30 points each, so 75 points in the oral exam. To pass, you need 60 percent in both the written and the oral exam, which means 45 of 75 points in the oral exam.
• DTZ: The speaking result is worth at most 100 points. Task completion in the individual tasks counts for up to 50 points; added to that are pronunciation and intonation (10), fluency (10), correctness (15), and vocabulary (15). Level B1 starts at 75 points, A2 at 35 points.
• Goethe: Among other things, the assessment covers task fulfilment, coherence, vocabulary, structures, and pronunciation. Each module is worth up to 100 points, and the pass mark is 60 points.

The common thread: this is not about flawless German but about completing the task and reacting in the conversation. According to the telc materials, follow-up questions and mutual help are rated positively. A conversation in which only one person talks is not what the exam is looking for.

Which topics come up in the B1 oral exam?

The topics are everyday ones. The practice materials include, for example: introducing yourself (name, origin, place of residence, job, languages, family), planning a party, a concert, or a trip, a topic such as a wedding, or pictures of everyday situations. Which topics appear in your exam cannot be predicted; you only find out during preparation or in the exam itself. You are well prepared if you can say something about many everyday areas: family, work, housing, free time, travel, shopping, health.

Which phrases help in the planning task?

The planning task appears in all three exams, and set phrases help. These are examples, not an official list:

• Making suggestions: "Wie wäre es, wenn wir …?" (How about if we …?), "Ich schlage vor, dass …" (I suggest that …)
• Agreeing or disagreeing: "Das finde ich gut, weil …" (I like that because …), "Das ist eine gute Idee, aber …" (That is a good idea, but …)
• Asking back: "Was meinst du dazu?" (What do you think?), "Hast du eine andere Idee?" (Do you have another idea?)
• Sharing tasks: "Ich kann … übernehmen. Kannst du …?" (I can take care of … Can you …?)
• Giving reasons: "Ich finde …, denn …" (I think …, because …), "Meiner Meinung nach …" (In my opinion …)

These phrases are only scaffolding. What matters is that you react to what your partner has just said.

How do I prepare for the B1 oral exam?

First find out which exam you are taking, and read the official practice materials: telc, the Goethe-Institut, and g.a.s.t. all provide practice sets with task sheets free of charge. Then a simple plan helps:

1. Train the sequence. Time each part as listed above.
2. Practise out loud. You only learn to speak by speaking. Record yourself on your phone and listen back.
3. Practise with a partner. In the exam you talk to another person, so practise listening and asking follow-up questions as well.
4. Use your notes in the preparation time. Write keywords, not full sentences, because reading out is not intended.
5. Expand your answers. Instead of "Ja, gern" (Yes, gladly), say: "Ja, gern, weil ich am Wochenende meistens Zeit habe." (Yes, gladly, because I usually have time on the weekend.)

If you have nobody to practise with, an oral exam simulation can recreate the conversation situation. For a general overview of how oral exams typically run, see our article How does an oral exam work?.

What helps against nerves before the oral exam?

Nerves are normal and not a sign that you are badly prepared. Simple things help:

• A familiar sequence: If you know the format, the exam surprises you less.
• Speak instead of going silent: If you are missing a word, describe it ("das ist ein Gerät, mit dem man …", that is a device you use to …) instead of falling silent.
• Asking is allowed: "Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?" (Could you please repeat that?) is a normal request.
• Involve your partner: Asking questions takes pressure off, because the conversation no longer hangs on you alone.
• One mistake is not the end: Keep talking. The overall impression counts, not every single sentence.

If exam anxiety weighs on you heavily, talk to your course teacher. They know the exam and can practise with you in a targeted way.

Conclusion

The B1 oral exam is very preparable, because the sequence and task types are known. What matters is knowing your own exam: telc starts with getting to know each other, the DTZ with a self-introduction and a picture, and the Goethe-Zertifikat with planning and includes a presentation. More tips for the weeks before an exam are collected in our exam preparation category. LearnCastAI can support you by turning your materials into summaries and practice questions, but nothing guarantees a pass except your own practice.