TELC B1 Passing Score: What You Need to Pass

One of the most common questions from TELC B1 candidates: what score do I need to pass?

The answer is straightforward, but there are a few important nuances — particularly around the writing section — that catch candidates off guard. Here's everything you need to know.

The TELC B1 Passing Mark

The TELC B1 exam has a total of 225 marks across all sections. To pass, you need:

• At least 60% overall — that's 135 marks out of 225
• At least 60% in the written exam (reading + listening + language elements + writing combined)
• At least 60% in the oral exam (speaking section)

Both components — written and oral — must be passed independently. You can't compensate a low oral score with a high written score. They're gated separately.

How the Marks Are Distributed

Note: Some TELC B1 exam formats — particularly the integration exam, telc Deutsch B1 Zertifikat Deutsch für Zuwanderer — have slightly different section weightings. Always check with your specific exam centre.

The Writing Section — Where Things Get Complicated

The writing section (Schreiben) is worth 45 marks and it's the only section assessed by a human examiner rather than a machine. That changes things in three ways:

1. Results take longer — the writing section requires manual marking, so your certificate arrives after the automated sections are processed
2. Examiner discretion applies — unlike multiple choice, writing is assessed on a rubric, and two examiners might score the same text slightly differently
3. AI-powered practice actually helps here — practising with feedback that mirrors the TELC rubric is one of the most effective preparation methods, because you get immediate structured critique rather than guessing whether your letter was good enough

The TELC B1 writing rubric assesses three criteria:

• Kommunikation (Communication) — did you address all the required points?
• Formale Richtigkeit (Formal accuracy) — grammar and spelling
• Kohärenz (Coherence) — logical structure and flow

Each criterion is marked out of 15 points, totalling 45. You need at least 27 combined (60%) to pass.

Can You Fail One Section and Still Pass Overall?

For the written exam, there's no individual section minimum — only the combined 60% threshold matters. A strong reading score can offset a weaker listening score within the written component.

That said, writing must still contribute meaningfully. Scoring 0 on writing would make the overall 60% threshold nearly impossible to reach.

The oral exam is a different story — separately gated. Score 90% on the written exam and still fail speaking? That's an overall fail.

What Happens If You Fail?

You resit. No limit on the number of attempts, but each one costs a new exam fee. Some exam centres — particularly larger Volkshochschulen in cities like Berlin or Munich — allow you to resit individual components rather than the full exam. Check with your specific centre before booking.

How to Make Sure You Hit 60%

The most reliable strategy: full-length timed mock exams. Three reasons this works:

• The TELC B1 format is highly standardised — the structure barely changes between exam sittings
• Time management is where most candidates lose marks, not German ability — and timing only improves with timed practice
• Knowing the question types cold reduces anxiety on exam day, which directly improves performance

On LanguagePrep, mock exams mirror the exact TELC B1 structure: same number of questions, same section order, same time limits. After each exam, you get an instant scored result showing your percentage by section — so you can see exactly where you're above or below 60%.

Start a free TELC B1 mock exam →

Quick Summary

• Pass mark: 60% — that's 135/225 overall
• Written and oral components must each be passed independently
• Writing is human-marked using a 3-criterion rubric (45 marks total)
• No individual section minimum within the written exam — only the combined 60%
• Resits are allowed with no limit, but each attempt costs a new fee