Failed the B1 Exam? Here's What to Do Next
You can retake the exam, and with telc B1 or Goethe B1 you can retake only the part you failed. This guide explains the retake rules of each exam.
Can I retake the B1 exam if I failed?
Yes. telc B1 and Goethe B1 can be retaken as often as you like. With telc B1, if you passed the written or the oral part, you can retake only the other whole part within 12 months, and you must ask for this when you register. Goethe B1 has four modules that you can retake one at a time. The DTZ is different: the complete exam must be repeated, and BAMF pays for a second attempt only in two cases. A failed attempt does not change the requirement: for citizenship or a settlement permit you need the B1 proof.
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Legal Basis
Law
Exam regulations of telc, Goethe-Institut and g.a.s.t.
Requirement
Retake rules differ by exam
Official Source
View law textAccepted Certificates
| Certificate | Provider | Accepted | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| telc Deutsch B1 (retake) | telc | Accepted | Unlimited retakes. You can retake only the whole written or the whole oral part within 12 months, if you ask for it at registration. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (retake) | Goethe-Institut | Accepted | Unlimited retakes, also of single modules. The exam centre can set a waiting period before a retake. |
| DTZ (retake) | g.a.s.t., for BAMF | Accepted | Unlimited retakes, but always the complete exam. Partial results are not credited. |
What Should You Do After Failing the B1 Exam?
Understand your results
Read your result sheet carefully. Did you fail the written part, the oral part, or both? How far were you from passing? That decides your next step.
Check whether you can retake one part
With telc Deutsch B1 the part that counts is the whole written or the whole oral exam, not a single subtest such as reading. The 12 months run from the date your result sheet was issued.
Tip: Tell the exam centre when you register that you want the passed part credited. The regulations require this at registration.
Decide: retake the same exam or switch?
telc B1 and Goethe B1 are both on the official list of recognised B1 certificates. If the format caused you trouble, the other exam may suit you better.
Tip: The BAMF-paid second attempt is for the DTZ only. If you switch to telc B1 or Goethe B1, you pay the fee yourself.
Work out what went wrong
Time management, vocabulary gaps, nerves in the speaking part and an unfamiliar format are common reasons. Be honest about your weak points.
Make a targeted study plan
Work on your weak areas. For speaking, practise with a partner. For listening, use German media every day. For writing, practise timed texts.
Register for your retake
Each exam centre sets its own dates. telc results take four to six weeks, so plan the retake around the date you receive your result.
How Long Does Preparation for a Retake Take? (Our Estimate)
Minor fail (close to passing)
Preparation Time
2-4 weeks focused review
Total Time
Plus the wait for the next exam date
Clear fail (need more practice)
Preparation Time
1-2 months intensive preparation
Total Time
Plus the wait for the next exam date
Significant gap (well below passing)
Preparation Time
3-6 months comprehensive study
Total Time
Plus the wait for the next exam date
How Much Does It Cost to Retake the B1 Exam?
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| telc B1 retake | Set by the exam centre | Example for the full exam: €160 at VHS Münster (December 2026). Ask your centre what a single part costs. |
| Goethe B1, single module | €104 | €259 for the full exam. Goethe-Institut price list for Germany. |
| DTZ, second attempt | Paid by BAMF in two cases | If you took the first attempt before your lessons were used up, or within an approved course repetition, which since December 2024 is open only to literacy-course participants |
| DTZ, further attempts | At your own cost | No official price is published |
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Frequently Asked Questions
As often as you like. The telc regulations, the Goethe-Institut exam regulations and g.a.s.t. for the DTZ all allow unlimited retakes. For the DTZ, BAMF pays at most the first attempt and one second attempt.
With telc Deutsch B1, yes: the whole written or the whole oral part, within 12 months of the date your result sheet was issued, if you ask for it when you register. With Goethe B1 you retake single modules. With the DTZ you cannot: the complete exam must be repeated.
telc sets no waiting period, but you normally wait four to six weeks for your result first. The Goethe-Institut exam regulations allow the exam centre to set a waiting period before a retake. Each centre sets its own dates.
Consider it if the format caused problems. telc B1 has a written and an oral part. Goethe B1 has four separate modules. Both are on the official list of recognised B1 certificates.
You can repeat the complete DTZ, or take telc B1 or Goethe B1 at your own cost. A B1 result from any of them counts for citizenship. BAMF pays a second DTZ attempt only if you took the first one before your lesson hours were used up, or within an approved course repetition, which since December 2024 is open only to literacy-course participants.
That is common. The telc and Goethe speaking exams are normally taken in pairs, so practise with a partner beforehand and arrive early.
For telc B1, 12 months from the date your result sheet was issued. After that you take the complete exam again. Goethe B1 modules do not expire. A one-year window applies only if you want the optional overall certificate for all four modules.
The law asks for proof of B1. It says nothing about earlier attempts. What you submit is the certificate that shows B1.
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- telc: exam regulations, §7 retakes (PDF, valid from 15 April 2025)
- telc: exam FAQ (results, fees)
- Goethe-Institut: exam regulations (PDF)
- Goethe-Institut: exam prices in Germany
- g.a.s.t.: DTZ FAQ (repeating the exam)
- §17 IntV: who pays for a second DTZ attempt
- BAMF: list of recognised B1 certificates (PDF)