German Tadka · Prüfungsvorbereitung
The telc Deutsch C1 Exam, part by part
Five subtests, two sittings, 214 points. Here’s exactly what happens in each section, how long you get, and how every point is won — based on the official telc C1 Übungstest 1.
Level C1 · Common European Frameworktelc Deutsch C1 is built to certify that you can operate in German the way an educated native speaker does — following complex talks, reading dense articles, arguing a position in writing and out loud. The exam splits into a written part (four subtests, taken together) and an oral part (a paired speaking exam). Below is each piece in detail.
Leseverstehen — Reading
Reading is the heaviest single subtest and tests four different reading skills, from rebuilding a broken text to reading for fine detail.
- Teil 1Textrekonstruktion. A text with six gaps; slot in the right sentence (a–h) for each. Two sentences are decoys and don’t fit anywhere. Items 1–6.6 × 2 = 12
- Teil 2Selektives Verstehen. Match each question (7–12) to the paragraph (a–e) that answers it. One paragraph can answer several questions.6 × 2 = 12
- Teil 3Detailverstehen. Read a long article and decide whether statements 13–23 are richtig (+), falsch (–), or nicht im Text (x).11 × 2 = 22
- Item 24Globalverstehen. A single “macro” task — pick the best headline (a, b or c) for the whole article.1 × 2 = 2
Sprachbausteine — Grammar & Vocabulary
One continuous text with 22 gaps (items 25–46). For each gap you choose the correct option from four choices (a–d). It targets grammar and lexis — the right connector, the right case ending, the right fixed expression.
- 25–4622 four-way multiple-choice gaps in a single passage. One point each, no partial credit.22 × 1 = 22
Hörverstehen — Listening
Three parts, each with reading time before the audio starts. Nothing is repeated, so you mark answers as you listen.
- Teil 1Globalverstehen. Eight speakers give opinions (here: on zoos). Match each speaker (1–8) to a statement (a–j); two statements are decoys. 1 min reading first. Items 47–54.8 × 1 = 8
- Teil 2Detailverstehen. A radio programme/interview. Choose a, b or c for each item. 3 min reading first. Items 55–64.10 × 2 = 20
- Teil 3Informationstransfer. A lecture with a slide handout — write the missing info in note form on lines 65–74. 1 min reading first; 5 min to transfer answers afterwards.10 × 2 = 20
Schriftlicher Ausdruck — Writing
Choose one of two topics and write an argumentative text — laying out your own position and supporting it (e.g. “Should you donate money?” or “Should parents monitor their children’s phone use?”). You present arguments, weigh pros and cons, and conclude with your own stance.
How it’s scored — four criteria, A to D
Each criterion is placed in a band based on how fully it meets the C1 target. The bands aren’t deductions from a total; you simply land in one and take its value:
Applied to each of: Aufgabengerechtheit (task fulfilment) · Korrektheit (accuracy) · Repertoire (range) · Kommunikative Gestaltung (cohesion & structure). 4 × 12 = 48.
Mündlicher Ausdruck — Speaking
A paired exam (a solo or three-person version adjusts the timing). You get 20 minutes of prep time — notes allowed, no dictionaries, no talking to your partner. Two examiners run it: one moderates (Interlokutor), one observes and assesses (Assessor). It has three parts:
- Teil 1APräsentation (~3 min). Present one of two given topics: an intro, a clearly structured body, a conclusion. Questions follow.max 6
- Teil 1BZusammenfassung & Anschlussfragen (~2 min). Summarise your partner’s presentation and ask follow-up questions.max 4
- Teil 2Diskussion (~6 min). Debate a statement with your partner — exchange arguments and respond to theirs.max 6
Two scoring blocks
The content score (Aufgabengerechtheit) is judged separately for each part and totals 16 points. The language score is judged across the whole exam and totals 32 points — four criteria at A=8 / B=5 / C=2 / D=0 each:
What it takes to pass
You must clear both thresholds, not just the total. Grades run from sehr gut (193–214) down through gut, befriedigend and ausreichend (128–150.5); below 128 is nicht bestanden.
Failed only one part? Good news — you don’t redo everything. If only the written part (subtests 1–4) or only the oral part fails, you can retake just that part until the end of the calendar year following your exam. The exam as a whole can also be repeated as often as you like.
Bottom line: the written part carries 77.5% of your grade and the oral the rest — but the 60% floor on each means you can’t trade a strong written score for a weak spoken one. Train all five subtests, and watch the two cheap disasters: “nicht im Text” guesses in reading and “Thema verfehlt” in writing.