telc Deutsch B1 Guides
telc B1 vs DTZ compared
By PreparaioEditorial team & sourcesUpdated
Both the DTZ and telc Deutsch B1 certify B1 competence per the CEFR. They are not the same exam though: DTZ tests two levels (A2 and B1) on shared tasks with its own scoring logic, telc B1 is a pure B1 exam with a different structure.
Contents
Target audience and purpose
The DTZ is the official exam at the end of the German integration course and documents German for public authorities (BAMF).
telc B1 is a general B1 exam used for training, work, university access, or citizenship (in combination with other proof).
Exam structure
The DTZ tests A2 or B1 on the same tasks (two-level scoring). telc B1 tests exclusively at B1.
Both have written and oral parts with similar skill areas (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking), but differ in task types (e.g. telc has its own Language Elements section).
Marking and passing
The DTZ has its own scale and reports A2 or B1 per skill. telc B1 awards points split into a written and an oral part, which are passed separately.
Binding thresholds are documented per exam version in the official materials.
Which exam for which goal
For citizenship a B1 certificate is usually sufficient — both DTZ and telc B1 are accepted. For the integration course DTZ is mandatory.
Learners outside the integration course who just need a B1 certificate often choose telc B1. Always check the accepting body's requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is telc B1 accepted by BAMF?
For citizenship the telc Deutsch B1 is generally accepted. For the official end-of-integration-course proof, the DTZ is the intended exam.
Can I take both?
Yes. Some candidates take the DTZ first and telc B1 later (or the other way around), depending on their goal.
Sources & currency
- Exam version
- telc Deutsch B1, 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
- telc Deutsch B1 – Zertifikat Deutsch — telc gGmbH · telc.net · official primary source · checked on
- 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.
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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