How difficult is the DTZ? Difficulty, structure, and typical mistakes

How difficult is the DTZ really?

For most test takers, the DTZ is manageable, but it’s not automatic. Here’s the good news first: the DTZ is a single exam with two possible outcomes. Depending on your score, you’ll receive your certificate at level A2 or B1 at the end. So you can’t completely “fail” as long as you reach enough points for A2. However, for citizenship, you typically need the B1 result on your language certificate. How difficult the test feels depends heavily on how much you practiced beforehand, especially speaking and writing.

If you attended the integration course regularly and completed the practice sets, B1 is a realistic goal. The difficulty usually doesn’t come from the knowledge itself, but from stress, time pressure, and avoidable mistakes.

How is the DTZ structured?

The DTZ has a written and an oral part. In total, four language skills are tested.

Written part (approx. 100 minutes)

1. Listening (approx. 25 minutes): You hear announcements, conversations, and messages and answer questions about them.
2. Reading (approx. 45 minutes): You read short texts like advertisements, letters, or signs and mark the correct answer.
3. Writing (approx. 30 minutes): You write a short message or letter, for example an apology or an inquiry.

Oral part (approx. 15 minutes)

Speaking is usually a paired exam with another test taker. You introduce yourself, talk about a topic, and plan something together, for example a celebration.

How is the DTZ graded?

In total, you can reach 100 points. The points are distributed across the four skills. What matters is not just the overall point total, but also which parts you achieve B1 level in.

In order to have B1 on your certificate, you must achieve B1 level in at least two skills. One of them must be speaking. So speaking is the most important part. If you’re strong here, you’re already halfway to B1.

If you don’t manage that, you’ll receive your certificate at level A2. It’s not a disaster, but it’s usually not sufficient for citizenship.

The most common mistakes on the DTZ

We see the same mistakes repeatedly in practice. Most of them are easy to avoid.

1. Not practicing speaking enough

Many people learn grammar and vocabulary but speak aloud very little. Then the words are missing during the exam. Practice free speaking regularly, preferably with a partner or with a trainer who corrects you. With our B1 course, you can specifically train your speaking and pronunciation with an AI trainer, as often as you want.

2. Using the wrong letter format

When writing, content is not the only thing that counts, but also form. Never forget:

• the greeting (“Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Mrs. …”)
• all the points given in the task (it’s often four)
• the appropriate closing at the end (“Sincerely” or “Kind regards”)

If you forget a point or choose the wrong greeting, you’ll lose valuable points.

3. Poor time management while reading

45 minutes sounds like a lot, but it’s tight. Don’t get stuck on a difficult task too long. Do the easy ones first and come back later. Don’t leave any gaps blank at the end, guess instead.

4. Trying to say too much at once

When speaking, you don’t need to build complicated sentences. Simple, clear, and correct sentences earn more points than long sentences with many mistakes. Speak calmly and in complete sentences.

5. Underestimating the oral part

Because speaking is mandatory for the overall B1 result, it’s the most important part. Yet many people prepare for it the least. Set aside dedicated time for it.

What does the DTZ cost and can you retake it?

If you have authorization for an integration course, the DTZ is usually free, including a free retake after a follow-up course. As a self-paying test taker without authorization, you’ll pay a fee depending on your test center. You can retake the test if the result is not sufficient. Ask your course provider or test center for the exact conditions.

Conclusion

The DTZ is achievable if you prepare strategically. Focus especially on speaking and letter writing, because that’s often where it’s decided whether you get A2 or B1. Avoid the typical mistakes with format and time management, and practice free speaking as often as possible. A good, structured B1 preparation makes the difference between “barely A2” and a secure B1.