Failed telc B1: How often can I retake it?

The short answer: As many times as you want

For the telc B1 exam, there is no maximum number of attempts. You can retake it as many times as you want until you pass. Nobody will tell you after two or three attempts: “That’s it.” That’s good news if you failed the first time.

Even better: In many cases, you don’t have to retake the entire exam. If you failed just one part, you can often retake only that part.

Why do so many people fail telc B1?

The telc Deutsch B1 has two main parts: a written part and an oral part. You must reach at least 60 percent of the points in each part separately.

• Written exam: 225 points, you need 135 points (60 percent).
• Oral exam: 75 points, you need 45 points (60 percent).

Important: The two parts are not added together. Excellent speaking won’t save you if your writing was too weak. Many test takers pass the oral part easily but fail at writing (letter, grammar, reading comprehension). Targeted practice here helps the most.

Retaking just one part: How it works

This is the most important rule for you. If you passed one of the two parts and failed only the other, you don’t have to do everything again.

The 3 steps to retaking one part

1. Keep your result sheet. After the exam, you get a result sheet with your points. This shows you exactly which part you passed and which you didn’t. Don’t throw this paper away.
2. Meet the deadline. You can retake the missing part by the end of the next calendar year. Example: exam failed in March 2026, then you have time until December 31, 2027.
3. Bring a copy. On the day of the retake exam, bring a copy of your old result sheet. This is the only way your exam center can credit your already passed part. Without this copy, there can be problems or delays.

Attention: This credit is a possibility, but not a right in every individual case. Talk to your exam center before registering to make sure everything goes smoothly. The rules are in the official telc exam regulations (valid from April 15, 2025).

What does retaking cost?

Each attempt costs an exam fee again. The exact amount is set by each exam center itself, often around 130 to 180 euros for the full exam. If you retake just one part, the fee is usually lower. It’s best to ask your exam center directly about current prices.

Retake wisely: learn first, then register

Registering again immediately won’t help if nothing changes in your German. The retake is only worth it when you know exactly what went wrong.

• Look at your result sheet. Which part was too weak? Listening, reading, writing, language structures, or speaking?
• Practice that area specifically. If you failed at writing, write many letters and get feedback. If you failed at speaking, you need real speaking practice.
• Do practice tests under real conditions. Set a timer and work through a complete model test. This way you lose your fear of time.

If you want to study in a structured way with an instructor, a complete B1 course can make the difference. Our online B1 course prepares you with the Hueber textbook “Schritte plus Neu” and a real, certified German as a foreign language instructor for telc, Goethe, and DTZ. An AI trainer also helps you with speaking, pronunciation, and writing letters, exactly the parts where many fail.

telc, Goethe, or DTZ: Does this apply everywhere?

These rules apply to telc B1. Other B1 exams work similarly, but not identically:

• Goethe Certificate B1: consists of four modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking). You can take and retake individual modules separately.
• DTZ (German Test for Immigrants): is an exam with two possible results, A2 or B1. In the integration course you can usually retake the DTZ once for free.

For preparing for B1, the level at the end is the same no matter which exam you choose.

Conclusion

Failing is not a disaster. You can retake telc B1 as many times as you need, and often retake just the one part you didn’t pass. Keep your result sheet, meet the deadline at the end of the next calendar year, and use the time until your next attempt for targeted practice. Then it will work next time.