telc Deutsch B2 exam: format, pass mark, retakes
Exam structure
telc Deutsch B2 has a written and an oral part. The written part consists of four subtests and lasts 140 minutes. A total of 90 minutes is given for Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine, and you divide the time between them yourself.[1]
| Subtest | Teil | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leseverstehen | Teil 1–3: 5 + 5 + 10 questions | 90 minutes (together) | 75 |
| Sprachbausteine | Teil 1 (grammar) 10, Teil 2 (vocabulary) 10 | 30 | |
| Hörverstehen | Teil 1–3: 5 + 10 + 5 richtig/falsch | about 20 minutes | 75 |
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | semi-formal email (task A or B) | 30 minutes | 45 |
| Mündlicher Ausdruck | Teil 1–3 | about 15 minutes in pairs; 20 minutes of preparation beforehand | 75 |
Each text in Hörverstehen is played only once and the audio is not paused. In Schriftlicher Ausdruck you choose one of two tasks (in Übungstest 1: A, asking for information, or B, a complaint) and write a reply covering three of the four points given, or two of them plus one aspect of your own choice. You must write at least 150 words; to make sure a point counts, answer it with more than one sentence.[1]
Important: before you start Schriftlicher Ausdruck you copy the task number onto page 5 of Antwortbogen S30. If the number is not copied or is written wrongly, the text is not marked and you receive 0 points for this subtest.[1]
How the oral part works
- Preparation (20 minutes): you prepare for the Teil 2 and Teil 3 tasks. The Teil 1 topic is usually prepared at home: you choose one of seven topics. You may make notes on a sealed sheet, but reading from it in the exam is not recommended.
- Introduction (about 1 minute): not marked.
- Teil 1: Über Erfahrungen sprechen (about 5 minutes): each of you speaks on your own topic for at most 1.5 minutes, then your partner asks questions. You are expected to speak freely, not to recite a memorised text.
- Teil 2: Diskussion (about 5 minutes): you give a short opinion (at most 1 minute) on the text you read during preparation, then discuss a controversial topic with your partner.
- Teil 3: Gemeinsam etwas planen (about 5 minutes): you plan something together, such as an event, a celebration or a conference: you make suggestions and respond to your partner's.
An exam with three candidates lasts about 25 minutes. Asking your partner questions and helping them is marked positively.[1]
Score and pass rule
The written part is worth 225 points (75% of the total) and the oral part 75 points (25%), 300 points in all. To pass you need 60% in each part separately:[1]
- at least 135 points in the written part (out of 225);
- at least 45 points in the oral part (out of 75).
For example, if you score 180 in the written part and 40 in the oral part, you do not pass even though the total is 220. When both parts are passed, the points are added up and a grade is given: 270–300 sehr gut, 240–269.5 gut, 210–239.5 befriedigend, 180–209.5 ausreichend. Those who pass receive a certificate, and those who do not receive a results sheet.[1]
Retaking
If you did not pass or did not take either the written or the oral part, you can retake only that part in the calendar year of the exam or in the following calendar year. Only the new result counts for the retaken part, even if it is lower than the previous one. You can retake the whole exam as often as you like.[1]
Where to take it in Uzbekistan
According to telc-usbekistan.com, the telc Usbekistan centre operates in Tashkent, Samarkand and Fergana and lists the B2 exam.[4] We could not verify this centre's telc licence on telc.net, so we do not give a price on this page. Ask the centre itself for the price, the dates and the format (paper or digital), and find out in advance whether the organisation that will receive the certificate recognises telc B2.
According to telc.net, the exam can be taken in digital, hybrid or paper form.[2] For a comparison with B2 at the Goethe-Institut Tashkent, see Goethe-Zertifikat B2: its price is officially published and its modules are taken separately.
How to prepare for each part
- Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine. The 90 minutes cover both. Time yourself in practice: if you leave 15–20 minutes for Sprachbausteine, about 70 minutes remain for the 20 Leseverstehen questions. Prepositions, conjunctions and verb government come up often in Sprachbausteine.
- Hörverstehen. Each text is played once. Use the time given before each Teil to read the statements and mark the key words.
- Schriftlicher Ausdruck. 30 minutes is short, so choose A or B within 1–2 minutes. Copy the task number first, then put the points in order and write with a subject line, a greeting and a closing.
- Mündlicher Ausdruck. Prepare the Teil 1 topic at home, but do not memorise it. For Teil 2 and Teil 3, practise phrases for giving an opinion, objecting and making suggestions (for example, "Ich sehe das etwas anders, weil ...", "Was hältst du davon, wenn ...?").
The official telc Übungstest can be downloaded with its audio free of charge.[1]
telc B2 practice on Prufling
Prufling has 72 practice tasks and 24 Sprechen cards in the telc B2 format. The first task of each Teil is free. For each exam there are 8 full Modellsatz papers: Leseverstehen, Sprachbausteine, Hörverstehen, Schriftlicher and Mündlicher Ausdruck in the exam order and with the exam timing; Modellsatz 1 is free and the rest come with Pro. AI marks Schriftlicher Ausdruck and Mündlicher Ausdruck against the exam criteria (the free plan includes 3 checks per month); these scores are estimates. The tasks are not official materials but original tasks written to match the format.
Frequently asked questions
What score do you need to pass telc B2?
You need at least 135 points out of 225 (60%) in the written part and at least 45 points out of 75 (60%) in the oral part. Both conditions must be met separately: a high score in the written part does not make up for a shortfall in the oral part.
How long does the telc B2 exam take?
The written part takes 140 minutes: Leseverstehen and Sprachbausteine together 90 minutes, Hörverstehen about 20 minutes and Schriftlicher Ausdruck 30 minutes. The oral part takes about 15 minutes in pairs, with 20 minutes of preparation beforehand.
Can you retake only the oral part in telc B2?
Yes. If you did not pass or did not take either the written or the oral part, you can retake just that part in the calendar year of the exam or in the following calendar year. The result of the retaken part is the one that counts. You can retake the whole exam as often as you like.
How much does the telc B2 exam cost in Uzbekistan?
telc gGmbH does not publish a price for Uzbekistan, and we could not verify a licensed centre in Uzbekistan on telc.net. Ask the exam centre itself for the price and the dates.
Practise in the exam format, free
Prufling has Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen practice in the exam format, with AI scores and feedback on writing and speaking.
Prufling is independent and not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH or ÖSD. AI scores are estimates, not official results.
Sources
Figures and rules are taken from the official sources below. Fees and dates change — check the official page before you register.