DTZ not passed or only A2? Your plan for a second try

If your certificate shows A2 instead of B1, it's naturally a disappointment – that's understandable. But it's important to put the result into perspective: A2 means you speak and understand German at a solid level. You're just a little bit short of B1, not half the language.

In almost all cases, the gap between A2 and B1 can be bridged. What matters now is a realistic plan – and that starts with an honest look at where you're struggling.

Yes, a retake is possible – and it's always the complete exam: both the written and oral parts must be taken again. There is no partial retake of individual sections, and previous partial results are not counted.

The exact conditions – how often, within what timeframe, whether funding is possible, what you pay for it – depend on your personal situation and your examination center.

If you participated in an Integrationskurs, speak to your course provider. They know the rules, can advise you, and know whether a retake can be fully or partially funded. For all questions about dates and costs, the responsible examination center is the right point of contact. We are deliberately not making any concrete promises here – every case is a little different.

The most common mistake is simple: After the first attempt, many people continue to practice as before – all four skills equally, without focus. However, usually a specific skill is the reason why it wasn't enough the first time.

For example, if your certificate shows B1 in listening and reading, but A2 in writing, then it doesn't help you much to do more listening exercises for weeks. You'd better invest that time specifically in writing – that's where you'll make the fastest progress.

Our placement test is designed exactly for this. It briefly and honestly tests all four skills and shows you at the end where you are already close to B1 and where the biggest gaps still are. No account, no cost, directly in your browser.

After the test, you'll have a clear answer: Where should I start? Instead of guessing, you'll work specifically on the one area you were missing.

If you know where you're weak, the rest is plannable. Regular, short, and targeted practice beats any marathon weekend. Twenty minutes a day with real exam tasks will make a significant difference in just a few weeks – especially in writing and speaking, where you need direct feedback.

Very important: Be patient with yourself. The difference between A2 and B1 is real work, but it's normal work, not magic. Thousands of people make the leap every year – with a clear plan and regular practice.

Even if the second exam date is still far away, it helps to take a small, concrete action immediately. Those who just wait lose momentum – those who take a small step today stay in motion.

Specifically, this means: Take the placement test today, calmly review your result, and schedule three fixed practice sessions for this week in your calendar. No more than 20 minutes per session – shorter and regular is better than rare and long.

The first week isn't about catching up on everything. It's about rebuilding a routine where you regularly engage with German exam tasks. Everything else builds on that.

Don't forget: The second attempt is not the "last" attempt. It's the attempt where you know how the exam really works – and that's a huge advantage over the first time. Use this knowledge consciously. You're not going into the exam as a beginner, but as someone who already knows the process and the pitfalls.