Which German exam do I actually need?
Three different exams sit at B1, and people book the wrong one. telc Deutsch B1 runs 150 minutes and anyone can take it. telc Deutsch A2·B1 runs 125 and certifies A2 or B1. The DTZ runs 100, is the Integrationskurs exam, and since 2023 you cannot book it without a course link. Verified 2026-08-07.
B1
telc B1
Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1
The general-purpose B1 certificate. Anyone can book it, at any telc centre, without taking a course first.
Full guide and papersA2 or B1
telc A2·B1
telc Deutsch A2·B1
One paper that certifies either A2 or B1. Useful when you are not sure you are at B1 yet — you still walk away with a certificate.
Full guide and papersA2 or B1, per skill
DTZ
Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer
The exam at the end of the Integrationskurs. B1 here plus the Leben-in-Deutschland test earns the Zertifikat Integrationskurs.
You cannot book it without a link to the Integrationskurs. Since 2023 BAMF turns away anyone who has never had one.
Full guide and papersThe differences that change what you do
Not a feature matrix — these are the rows that decide which exam is right, and which surprise people on the day.
| telc B1 | telc A2·B1 | DTZ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | B1 | A2 or B1 | A2 or B1, per skill |
| Written exam | 150 min | 125 min | 100 min |
| Objective items | 60 | 50 | 45 |
| Sprachbausteine | Yes | Yes | No |
| Writing task | An informal or semi-formal e-mail answering four Leitpunkte | A semi-formal e-mail, plus a short note and a Kurznachricht | A formal letter answering four Leitpunkte |
| Oral preparation | 20 min | None | None |
| Re-sit one half only | Yes | No | No |
| Who can book it | Anyone | Anyone | Restricted |
Not sure what your score would mean?
All three exams have a rule that catches people out — a second gate, a per-skill floor, or a skill that caps everything else. Put your scores in and see which rule decides your result.
Will I pass?Common questions
Is the DTZ the same as telc B1?
No. The DTZ is 100 minutes of written exam over 45 objective items with no Sprachbausteine and a formal letter; telc B1 is 150 minutes over 60 items with 20 Sprachbausteine and an informal e-mail. They also score in completely different ways.
Can I book the DTZ if I never did an Integrationskurs?
No. Since 2023 BAMF states that people with no link to the Integrationskurs must sit a different exam. telc Deutsch B1 and telc Deutsch A2·B1 are open to anyone.
What is telc Deutsch A2·B1?
One paper that certifies either A2 or B1. B1 needs 168 of 240 points overall, at least 42 of 60 in three of the four skills, and at least 24 in every skill. One collapsed skill blocks B1 however good your total is.
If I fail, can I re-sit only the part I failed?
For telc Deutsch B1, yes — the whole written half or the whole oral half, within twelve months, and you must ask for it when you register. Never a single subtest. For telc A2·B1 and the DTZ, no: both are scaled over two levels and are excluded from part-crediting.
Last updated: 2026-08-07