Difference Between DTZ and telc B1: Which Exam Is Easier?
DTZ or telc B1: The Key Difference at a Glance
The central difference is simple: The DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) is an exam with two possible results. You take one test and receive either an A2 or a B1 certificate depending on your score. Telc Deutsch B1, by contrast, is a pure B1 exam: you either pass it at B1 level or you don’t.
In practice, this means: with the DTZ, you never walk away empty-handed as long as you at least reach A2. With telc B1, there’s only “pass” or “fail”. This is precisely why many learners find the DTZ to be the “fairer” and somewhat easier exam.
What Is the DTZ?
The DTZ was developed on behalf of the German government by the Goethe-Institut and telc GmbH specifically for migrants. It is the final exam of the integration course. Anyone who attends the integration course takes the DTZ at the end, and the test is funded through BAMF.
DTZ structure:
- Written section (approximately 100 minutes): listening, reading, and writing.
- Spoken section: a short conversation in a group or in pairs.
How it’s scored: Listening and reading together yield 45 points (one question = one point). From this, your level is determined:
- 33 to 45 points → B1
- 20 to 32 points → A2
The writing and speaking sections are scored separately according to A2 and B1 levels. Your certificate shows which level you achieved in each area.
What Is Telc Deutsch B1?
Telc Deutsch B1 (also called “Zertifikat Deutsch”) is a standalone, internationally recognized B1 exam. It is not tied to the integration course and is often taken by people who need a B1 certificate for work, vocational training, or university.
Telc B1 structure:
- Written section (150 minutes): reading comprehension, language modules (grammar and vocabulary), listening comprehension, and a letter.
- Spoken section (approximately 15 minutes): making contact, discussing a topic, and joint planning.
How it’s scored: You must achieve at least 60 percent in both the written and the spoken section. Both sections are scored separately. If you fall below 60 percent in one section, you have not passed the exam.
Which Exam Is Easier?
For most migrants, the DTZ is the easier route, for three reasons:
- Guaranteed result: You get an official certificate even at A2 level. You don’t completely fail.
- Familiar topics: The DTZ focuses on everyday life in Germany (housing, work, authorities), exactly what is practiced in the integration course.
- Funding and retakes: The DTZ is funded through the integration course, and you can usually retake the test once for free.
Telc B1 is more demanding because it has only one outcome and additionally includes tasks like “language modules” that test pure grammar knowledge. On the other hand, it is more internationally recognized and not tied to the integration course.
Important: “Easier” does not mean “less valuable”. If you achieve a B1 result in the DTZ, it is just as recognized as a telc B1 certificate.
And the Goethe Certificate B1?
The Goethe Certificate B1 often comes up in comparisons. Its big advantage: it consists of four separate modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking), each worth 100 points with a passing score of 60 points. You can take the modules separately and retake them individually. So if you’re strong in three areas and only fail writing, you only retake that one module. This is not possible with DTZ or telc B1, where the exam counts as a whole.
Which Exam Do I Need for Citizenship?
For German citizenship, B1 is the standard. Since the 2024 reform, you can apply after five years of residence if you provide proof of B1. The earlier faster pathway after three years (which required C1) was repealed by the law change on 30 October 2025. So in most cases, you don’t need C1, just B1.
As proof of B1, all three exams count, provided you achieve B1:
- DTZ with B1 result
- Telc Deutsch B1
- Goethe Certificate B1
So if you’re taking the integration course, the DTZ is the natural and usually cheapest route to B1 proof for citizenship.
How Do I Prepare Best?
No matter which exam you choose, the key is solid B1 level. Anyone who truly masters the material will pass any of these exams. Structured preparation with a qualified teacher and practice tasks helps enormously, especially in writing and speaking, where many points are lost.
Our B1 online course prepares you specifically for telc, Goethe, and the DTZ: with video lessons from a certified German-as-a-foreign-language teacher, the Hueber textbook “Schritte plus Neu”, and an AI trainer who practices speaking, pronunciation, and letters with you. This way, you can go into your exam with confidence.
In short: The DTZ is usually the easier and cheaper route, especially if you’re taking the integration course. Telc B1 and Goethe Certificate B1 are standalone exams for anyone who needs flexible or internationally recognized proof. For citizenship, only one thing matters in the end: that you achieve B1. Learn more about the right preparation on our B1 course page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DTZ count as B1 for citizenship?
Yes, if you achieve a B1 result in the DTZ (33 to 45 points in the listening and reading sections, plus B1 in the written and speaking parts), that counts as language proof of B1 for citizenship. If you only reach A2, it won't be sufficient for standard naturalization.
Do I need C1 for citizenship?
No. The standard is B1. C1 was only relevant for faster citizenship after three years, and that pathway was repealed by the law change on 30 October 2025. For normal citizenship after five years, B1 is sufficient.
Can I take the DTZ without an integration course?
Yes. You can register for the DTZ as an external participant without having attended an integration course first. Ask an accredited testing centre near you about exam dates and costs.
What happens if I fail the DTZ?
If you take the DTZ through an integration course, you can usually retake the test once for free. With telc B1, if you don't pass, you have to pay for and retake the entire exam.
Is telc B1 or Goethe B1 better?
Both are recognized as B1 proof. The big advantage of the Goethe Certificate B1: it consists of four separate modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking) that you can take separately and retake individually. With telc B1, the exam counts as a whole.
How many points do I need to pass telc B1?
You must achieve at least 60 percent in both the written and spoken parts. Both parts are graded separately, so you must pass both.