Your path to successfully passing your exams
Concisely explained, clearly structured, well prepared.
Assess German language skills objectively, fairly and transparently
We are an independent language testing provider specializing in the assessment of German language proficiency. The tests we design for this purpose are developed, administered, and evaluated in-house. Our German language tests are aligned with the proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Quality through process reliability
Quality in aptitude diagnostics doesn't happen by chance, but through a systematically managed life cycle. We work according to the internationally recognized standard ISO 29992, which governs the evaluation of learning outcomes. For the field of German as a foreign language, we have specifically operationalized this standard, ensuring that scientific quality criteria are firmly anchored in our testing procedures.
Valid test design
Each task undergoes a multi-stage development process. Through needs analyses and pilot projects, we ensure that precisely the competencies required in reality are tested.
Objective evaluation
Our assessment procedures eliminate arbitrariness. Through standardized assessment grids, trained assessors, and statistical analyses of the quality of judgments, we guarantee that the result depends solely on the performance of the participants—regardless of who is conducting the assessment.
Fairness & equal opportunities
ISO 29992 obligates us to avoid any discrimination. We systematically review our tasks for cultural biases and ensure, through barrier-free access, that all candidates have the same opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Certified security
We don't just claim quality, we have it proven. The independent certification body DeuZert monitors our work through regular audits. DeuZert certifies that our processes, documentation, and quality assurance measures fully comply with the requirements of ISO 29992. DeuZert verifies the integrity and compliance of our audits.
With a certificate from our company, you receive more than just a grade: you receive valid proof of language competence.
B1: This is what you need to know for the exam
The B1 German exam tests your language skills at the third level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Level B1 represents independent language use. It demonstrates that you can understand the main points when clear standard language is used and the topic is familiar, such as work, school, leisure, etc.
Passing the B1 exam proves that you can easily handle most situations encountered while traveling in a language-speaking country. You can express yourself simply and coherently on familiar topics and areas of personal interest.
The four communication skills are tested:
📖 Read
You can understand texts that primarily use very common everyday or professional language. You can also understand personal letters that describe events, feelings, and wishes.
🎧 Listen
You can understand the main points in conversations and lectures when clear, standard language is used. You can also glean the main information from many radio or television programs about current events or topics related to your profession and interests if the speech is relatively slow and clear.
✍️ Write
You can write simple, coherent texts on topics that are familiar to you or that interest you personally. Writing personal letters to describe experiences and impressions also poses no problem for you.
🗣️ Speaking
You can participate in conversations about familiar everyday topics (e.g., family, hobbies, work, travel) without preparation. You can speak in connected sentences to describe experiences, dreams, or goals, and you can briefly explain and justify your opinions and plans.
Exam structure – How the exam is structured
Get an overview of the individual exam sections, the respective task formats, and the available processing times in the online exam.
| Examination | Part | Tested competence | Task type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | ||||
| the Hörversteh | A | Global Understanding | 5 Questions Knowledge Matrix | 20 Min |
| B | Understanding details | 10 Questions Knowledge Matrix | ||
| C | Selective understanding | 5 Questions Knowledge Matrix | ||
| the Leseversteh | D | Global Understanding | 5 Questions Survey Matrix | 26 Min |
| E | Understanding details | 5 multiple-choice questions | ||
| F | Text reconstruction | 10 Questions Survey Matrix | ||
| Grammar & Vocabulary | G | Grammar | 10 Questions Fill in Blanks | 16 Min |
| H | Lexicon | 15 Questions Survey Matrix | ||
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | I | Writing skills | Essay | 20 Min |
| J: 10-minute break | ||||
| Mündlicher Ausdruck | K1 | Contacting us | Monologue/Dialogue with Examiner | 15 Min |
| K2 | Discussions about a topic | |||
| K3 | Solving a common task | |||
Question types
Your online exam will contain various question types designed to assess your language skills in different ways. Here's how each question type works. Use this information to prepare effectively for the exam and make the most of your strengths.
True/False
Multiple Choice
Multiple response
Multiple Lists
Screening
Fill in blanks
Knowledge Matrix
Likert Scale
Survey Matrix
hotspot
Spoken Response
Essay
Evaluation and required points
The exams are evaluated centrally by Digital Language Testing UG in a fully digital and secure system. Non-productive sections of the exam—such as multiple-choice questions—are automatically evaluated by our system. Qualified assessors evaluate the productive skills, i.e., the oral and written exam components. To pass the exam, you must achieve at least 60% of the possible points in each section.
| Exam part | Points | percent |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam | ||
| Complete in writing | 225 | 60 % |
| the Hörversteh | 75 | 50 % |
| the Leseversteh | 75 | 50 % |
| Grammar & Vocabulary | 30 | 50 % |
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | 45 | 50 % |
| Mündliche Prüfung | ||
| Total Oral | 75 | 60 % |
| Part 1 | 15 | 50 % |
| Part 2 | 30 | 50 % |
| Part 3 | 30 | 50 % |
clef
| percent | minimum points | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 90 % | 270 | very well |
| 80 % | 240 | growing |
| 70 % | 210 | satisfying |
| 60 % | 180 | sufficient |
A maximum of 300 points can be achieved. The grade is calculated as the percentage of points achieved out of the total possible points. Your grade will be calculated based on this percentage according to the grading scale shown.
Our examiners: Experienced. Qualified. Fair.
Experts in testing and evaluation
All examiners are trained in standardized examination procedures and apply the assessment criteria confidently, consistently, and in accordance with regulations. This ensures comprehensible, transparent, and objective results.
Professionally qualified
Our examiners possess academic qualifications in fields such as German as a foreign or second language (GFL/GSL), German studies, or language didactics. They are thoroughly familiar with the language requirements of each CEFR level and can assess performance accordingly.
Competent in the digital examination environment
Our examiners are comprehensively trained in the use of digital examination formats. They reliably employ digital tools and ensure a professional, secure, and technically smooth process, even in online examinations.
How will your written work be assessed?
We place great importance on a fair, transparent, and comprehensible assessment of your written work. Our qualified examiners read your work carefully and evaluate in detail how well you have addressed the task in terms of content and language. At the B1 level, the focus is on your ability to independently and comprehensibly formulate coherent texts on familiar topics from everyday life and professional settings. The assessment is based on these four criteria:
Content / Task fulfillment
The focus here is on whether you have completed the writing task fully and appropriately. The assessment will assess whether you adequately consider all required guidelines, provide relevant information, and express your own experiences, feelings, plans, or opinions clearly and comprehensibly, in line with B1 level. Significant gaps in content, a failure to address the situation, or a major digression from the topic will negatively impact your grade.
Communicative design and coherence
This criterion relates to how well you structure your thoughts and construct your sentences into a coherent text. You are expected to present your information in a clear, linear sequence. The appropriate use of conjunctions (connectors) plays an important role in meaningfully linking individual sentences. A simple, logical structure with paragraphs is also positively evaluated at this level. The goal is for your text to flow smoothly.
Linguistic accuracy, vocabulary mastery & spelling
This assessment evaluates your command of routine, frequently used grammatical structures and vocabulary. Spelling and basic punctuation are also considered. At the B1 level, errors (especially when attempting to express more complex ideas) are normal and not a major issue as long as your message remains clear. Only frequent or systematic errors that impair readability or lead to misunderstandings will significantly affect the assessment.
Spectrum: Linguistic structures & vocabulary
In this section, you demonstrate whether you possess sufficient linguistic resources to adequately describe situations and familiar topics (such as family, leisure, work, or travel). It is viewed favorably if you use a solid basic vocabulary and are able to paraphrase if you can't recall a specific word. Occasional word repetition is perfectly acceptable at the B1 level. However, a severely limited vocabulary that prevents you from fully expressing your thoughts may lower your score.
How will your oral performance be assessed?
The B1-level oral exam is not about speaking flawlessly. Rather, we want to see that you can communicate independently in the language and handle most everyday situations, whether traveling or at work, with clarity. To ensure fair and objective assessment, our specially trained examiners follow clear, standardized guidelines. Your performance will be evaluated based on the following areas:
Content / Task fulfillment
This criterion assesses whether you address speaking tasks appropriately and actively participate in conversations. At the B1 level, it is crucial that you can speak about familiar topics (e.g., work, family, hobbies), recount experiences or events, and briefly explain and justify your opinions, plans, and goals. Responding to your conversation partner's questions and staying on topic will positively influence your assessment.
Spectrum: Linguistic structures & vocabulary
Here, we assess whether you possess sufficient linguistic resources to express yourself on familiar topics from your own life. At B1 level, we don't expect a perfect or highly complex specialized vocabulary. On the contrary, it's viewed very positively if you can skillfully use paraphrases when you can't recall a specific word. However, if your vocabulary is so limited that you often have to repeat yourself or are unable to communicate your thoughts, this will lower your score.
Fluidity and coherence
This criterion relates to your fluency and the way you connect your sentences. At the B1 level, it's perfectly acceptable and allows you to pause frequently to plan your utterances grammatically or in your word choice, especially when speaking freely for extended periods. Regarding coherence, we look for your ability to link individual, short statements with common conjunctions (such as "therefore," "nevertheless," or "before") into an understandable, linear narrative.
Linguistic accuracy and vocabulary mastery
The focus here is on how well you use familiar grammar and everyday vocabulary. We will assess your ability to correctly employ frequently used, routine structures. We understand that mistakes can still happen at the B1 level, especially when attempting to express more complex ideas or arguments. Such errors are not problematic and will not result in point deductions, as long as your conversation partners understand you clearly and no misunderstandings arise.