Goethe-Zertifikat B1
The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is a modular B1 exam developed jointly by the Goethe-Institut, ÖSD and the University of Fribourg — the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1) is the same exam. It has four modules (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen), each worth 100 points and each passed independently.
Exam structure
Each module is scored out of 100 points. Lesen and Hören have 30 items each, scaled to 100.
Lesen
| Part | Task | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Blog / private letter — richtig/falsch | 6 | — |
| Teil 2 | Two press texts, multiple choice a/b/c | 6 | — |
| Teil 3 | Match 7 situations to 10 adverts | 7 | — |
| Teil 4 | Readers' opinions — ja/nein stance | 7 | — |
| Teil 5 | Rules / regulations, multiple choice | 4 | — |
Hören
| Part | Task | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | 5 short texts (richtig/falsch + MC), heard twice | 10 | — |
| Teil 2 | Guided tour / announcement, MC, heard once | 5 | — |
| Teil 3 | Everyday conversation, richtig/falsch | 7 | — |
| Teil 4 | Radio discussion, match statement to speaker | 8 | — |
Schreiben
| Part | Task | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Informal e-mail, ~80 words | 1 | ~40 |
| Teil 2 | Forum opinion post, ~80 words | 1 | ~40 |
| Teil 3 | Semi-formal e-mail (apology / request), ~40 words | 1 | ~20 |
Sprechen
| Part | Task | Items | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Plan something together | 2–3 min | — |
| Teil 2 | Presentation (choice of 2 topics) | 3–4 min | — |
| Teil 3 | Feedback + questions on partner's talk | 1–2 min | — |
Pass rules & grades
Goethe B1 is fully modular: you need at least 60 of 100 points in a module to pass it, and each module is passed independently with its own certificate.
- Pass mark: 60 / 100 in each module.
- Grades per module: sehr gut 90–100, gut 80–89, befriedigend 70–79, ausreichend 60–69.
- A full certificate (Gesamtzeugnis) needs all four modules passed within one year at the same centre.
- Certificates do not expire, though authorities often ask for one no older than two years.
Fees & retakes
At the Goethe-Institut in Germany the full B1 exam is about €259, or roughly €104 per single module, with a discount for recent course participants; VHS centres charge around €170–200. Fees abroad are set per institute. Modules can be retaken as often as a centre has capacity.
What the certificate is used for
B1 is the level that opens the main long-stay routes into Germany. Goethe B1 is one of the accepted certificates for each.
- Einbürgerung (citizenship) — B1 language proof.
- Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement) — B1 ("ausreichend").
- Ausbildungsplatzsuche (training-place search) — B1.
- Chancenkarte points — B1 counts as 2 points.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 modular?
Yes. It has four modules — Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen — and you can take and pass each one separately. A full certificate needs all four passed within a year at the same centre.
What score do I need to pass?
Each module is scored out of 100 points, and you need at least 60 to pass it. Modules are independent, so a strong Lesen result cannot make up for a weak Schreiben.
How long is each module?
Lesen is 65 minutes, Hören about 40 minutes, Schreiben 60 minutes, and Sprechen is a paired oral of about 15 minutes with 15 minutes of preparation beforehand.
Can I retake just one module?
Yes. Because the exam is modular, you can repeat only the module you did not pass, as often as a centre has capacity, without redoing the ones you passed.
Is the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 the same exam?
Yes. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1) are the same jointly developed exam, with the same four modules, timings and pass rules.
Does the certificate expire?
The certificate itself does not expire, but many authorities prefer a language certificate that is no more than two years old — check the requirement for your specific application.
How much does Goethe B1 cost?
At the Goethe-Institut in Germany the full exam is about €259, or roughly €104 per single module; VHS centres are around €170–200. Fees abroad are set by each institute, so check your local centre.
Is Prufling official Goethe practice material?
No. Prufling is an independent learning service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Goethe-Institut. Our practice items are original and built to match the official format; AI scores are estimates, not official results.
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