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DTZ Guides
DTZ or telc Deutsch B1?
By PreparaioEditorial team & sourcesUpdated
Both exams come from the same institution (g.a.s.t./telc), test the same four skills, and are at the same proficiency level. Nevertheless, they are not interchangeable – the difference lies in their design, evaluation logic, and the purpose of the certificate.
Contents
The key difference
The DTZ is a so-called scaled exam: It simultaneously measures at A2 and B1 and indicates for each skill which of the two levels you have achieved. So you can pass with a mixed profile, for example, Hören B1 and Schreiben A2.
telc Deutsch B1 is a classic level exam: You either pass it or you don't. A result below the passing threshold does not yield an A2 certificate, but simply a failure.
Structure in comparison
Both exams consist of a written and an oral part, but differ in their task formats.
- DTZ: Hören, Lesen, Schreiben (Brief), Sprechen in pairs in three parts.
- telc Deutsch B1: Leseverstehen with Sprachbausteine, Hörverstehen, Schreiben, Sprechen in pairs.
- Only telc Deutsch B1 has the Sprachbausteine section, which specifically tests grammar and vocabulary.
- Only the DTZ places each result between A2 and B1.
What each certificate is needed for
The DTZ is the final test of the Integrationskurs and the usual Prüfung in the context of residency law. For Einbürgerung, B1 in all four skills is usually required – which the DTZ can prove.
telc Deutsch B1 is the more broadly applicable language Prüfung outside of the Integrationskurs: for employers, training, professional recognition, or educational institutions. Only the specific institution can definitively tell you which Prüfung they accept.
Costs and access
In the subsidized Integrationskurs, the DTZ is usually included without additional costs, including a subsidized retake under certain conditions. You generally pay for telc Deutsch B1 yourself; the fee is set by the Prüfungszentrum.
How to decide
First, clarify who wants to see the certificate. If it's about the immigration authorities, Einbürgerung, or completing your Integrationskurs, the DTZ is the standard path. If it's about employers, training, or an institution that explicitly requires telc, take telc Deutsch B1.
If you are unsure whether your level is sufficient for a pure B1 Prüfung, the DTZ is the less risky option: even a result below B1 will be documented, rather than being completely lost.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DTZ easier than telc Deutsch B1?
Not fundamentally. Both test B1 competencies; the DTZ just feels less risky because an A2-level result is also documented.
Is the DTZ recognized by employers?
Often yes, but only the information from the respective employer is reliable. Some explicitly require a pure B1 certificate.
Can I take both exams?
Yes. They are not mutually exclusive, but they cost double the time and – outside of funding – double the fee.
Sources & currency
- Exam version
- Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ), as of 2026
- Editorial check
- Source check by the Preparaio editorial team ()
- Author
- Preparaio RedaktionEditorial team, fact-checking against official primary sources
- Reviewed by
- Source-checked by PreparaioSource comparison with the exam providers' own pages
- Fact-check status
- Source check in progress ()
- Content version
- 2026-07-31
How we check: Every exam-relevant fact is compared with the exam providers' official pages (g.a.s.t./TestDaF-Institut, BAMF, ETS, IELTS Partners, telc). The check is editorial, supported by AI and automated test gates; it is not a review by certified examiners.
The hard exam facts in this article were verified against the official primary sources linked below on the date shown. This is not a review by an examination body and does not replace information from your test centre. Fees, dates and local procedures are set by the test centres themselves.
Official primary sources
- Der DTZ auf einen Blick — g.a.s.t. / TestDaF-Institut · gast.de · official primary source · checked on
- Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) – FAQ — g.a.s.t. / TestDaF-Institut · gast.de · official primary source · checked on Retake: the complete written and oral exam is taken again.
- telc Deutsch B1 – Zertifikat Deutsch — telc gGmbH · telc.net · official primary source · checked on
Changes to this article
- — Corrected against the g.a.s.t. FAQ and BAMF: a retake means sitting the complete exam again; earlier partial results are not carried over. Added: the DTZ reports an overall result of B1, A2 or below A2.
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