The TELC Written Exam B1 is the ideal solution for anyone who needs only the written part of the TELC B1 exam — without an oral exam. At Lingocare in Frankfurt we offer this partial exam at a professional, officially licensed examination centre. In this article you will find everything you need to know: what this exam covers, who needs it, how it differs from the full B1 exam, and how to prepare effectively.
What is the TELC Written Exam B1?
The TELC Written Exam B1 is a standalone certificate that covers only the written part of the TELC B1 exam. It includes all four written competency areas — reading, listening, language elements, and writing — at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The oral part of the exam is not included.
The certificate of the Written Exam B1 is an officially issued TELC document that confirms written German language skills at B1 level. It is recognised by numerous institutions as a partial proof of language competence and is particularly valuable when only written language skills need to be demonstrated.
Who should take this exam?
The TELC Written Exam B1 is particularly suitable for several groups of candidates:
Candidates with an existing oral certificate: Anyone who has already passed the oral part of the B1 exam elsewhere and only needs the written proof can use the Written Exam B1 to provide exactly that — without having to retake the oral exam.
Candidates with strong written but weaker oral skills: Some learners have very good written German skills but feel less confident in the oral part. If only written proof is institutionally or professionally required, the partial exam is the right choice.
Professional or institutional requirements for written competence: In certain professions or application processes, only written German competence at B1 level is explicitly required — for example for certain office roles, administrative tasks, or document-based work.
Candidates who strategically combine partial exams: Some candidates deliberately choose to take the written and oral parts of the B1 exam separately at different times — either for scheduling reasons or to focus their preparation more intensively on one part at a time. The Written Exam B1 provides this flexibility.
More affordable option for specific needs: At an exam fee of €175, the Written Exam B1 is more affordable than the full B1 exam (€199). If only the written proof is needed, it is the more cost-effective choice.
How is it different from the full B1 exam?
The difference is clear and straightforward: the full TELC B1 exam consists of a written part and an oral part. The certificate of the full exam confirms German language skills at B1 level across all four competency areas — reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The TELC Written Exam B1, on the other hand, covers only the written part — reading, listening, language elements, and writing. The oral part does not take place. The certificate therefore confirms only written German skills at B1 level, not oral competence.
Which option is right for you depends on what your authority, employer, or institution specifically requires. If a full B1 certificate is required, you must take the complete exam with both parts. If only written proof is explicitly sufficient or required, the Written Exam is the appropriate and more cost-effective choice.
Exam Structure: What is tested?
The TELC Written Exam B1 covers only the written exam part and takes place in the morning. There is no oral section. The four written sections are:
Reading: You read a variety of texts — such as newspaper articles, notices, short reports, or advertisements — and answer questions about them. At B1 level, texts are more varied and longer than at A level. You need to identify and understand the main points, important details, and the purpose of the text. Reading tasks are designed to reflect realistic everyday situations — from finding information in an article to understanding an official notice.
Listening: You listen to conversations, interviews, announcements, or short reports and complete tasks based on what you hear. Recordings are played twice. At B1 level the content is spoken naturally — at a natural pace, with different speakers, and on everyday topics from work, leisure, and social life. The goal is to understand the main points and important details from spoken language.
Language elements: In this section you complete missing words or expressions in short texts. Grammar knowledge and vocabulary at B1 level are tested. It is important to read the context carefully and choose the linguistically and grammatically correct word. Frequently tested structures include prepositions, verb conjugations, connectors, and adjective endings.
Writing: You produce a coherent text on a given topic — for example a letter, an email, or a short report. At B1 level you are expected to structure your ideas clearly, use basic linking words and expressions, and apply the main grammar rules correctly. The writing section also requires you to respond to the communication situation — writing formally or informally depending on the task and conveying all relevant information completely and clearly.
The entire written part lasts approximately 95 minutes. Time management is essential — distribute your time carefully across all four sections and leave enough time for the writing section, which typically takes the most time.
Where does the exam take place?
At Lingocare, we conduct the TELC Written Exam B1 at our centre located at Gerbermühlstraße 9, 60594 Frankfurt am Main. Our examination centre is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport and by car.
The exam begins punctually at 09:15 AM. Please arrive no later than 08:50 AM. Registration and briefing take place on the 5th floor. Late arrivals unfortunately cannot be admitted — please plan sufficient travel time.
What do you need to bring?
- Valid ID card or passport — mandatory; participation is not possible without a valid identification document
- No pens or paper required — all writing materials and exam documents are provided by Lingocare
- Drinks are permitted, but only with the label removed from the bottle
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, and all electronic devices must be switched off and stored away
How to register?
Registration for the TELC Written Exam B1 is simple and fully online at lingo.care:
- Choose your date: Visit lingo.care and select an available date for the Written Exam B1 on our booking calendar.
- Complete the form: Enter your full name, date of birth, and contact details.
- Make the payment: The exam fee is €175. Payment is made securely online.
- Receive your confirmation: After a successful booking you will immediately receive a confirmation email with all exam details, plus a reminder email 7 days before the exam.
Places are limited — register early to secure your preferred date.
👉 Book your spot — TELC Written Exam B1 Frankfurt
Preparation tips
Focus your preparation on the four written skills. Since there is no oral part, you can dedicate your entire preparation time to reading, listening, language elements, and writing. This is a clear advantage — make the most of it.
Use official TELC B1 practice materials. The Written Exam has the same content requirements as the written part of the full B1 exam. Official TELC B1 model tests (telc.net) are therefore the ideal preparation. Complete at least two full written sections under real timed conditions.
Practise time management specifically. 95 minutes for four sections — this sounds like plenty, but many candidates underestimate the time needed, especially for the writing section. Practise sticking strictly to the time limits for each section in every mock test.
Work specifically on your weak areas. After each practice test, analyse which section you made the most mistakes in — reading, listening, language elements, or writing — and invest more preparation time there.
Practise writing in German regularly. The writing section is the most challenging for many candidates. Practise writing letters, emails, and reports at B1 level. Pay attention to clear structure, correct salutations and closing phrases, and make sure you address all the points set in the task.
Expand your vocabulary on everyday topics. At B1 level, topics such as housing, work, health, travel, the environment, and social life are tested. Build your vocabulary on each of these topics and learn the most important expressions.
Listen to German every day. Even though the oral part is not tested — listening comprehension is part of the Written Exam. Listen to German podcasts, radio programmes, or news broadcasts to continuously improve your listening skills.
Exam fee: €175 Location: Gerbermühlstraße 9, 60594 Frankfurt am Main Start: 09:15 AM (entry until 08:50 AM) Registration: Online at lingo.care