My Telc B1 German Exam Experience
After months of procrastination, I finally sat for the Telc B1 German exam. It was a day filled with anticipation, a bit of chill (literally), and an opportunity to put my work of a couple of months to test. Here’s a detailed account of my experience – from the innovative study methods I employed to the nerve-wracking moments on exam day.
Preparation: Embracing Technology and Immersion
I approached my exam preparation with a mix of modern technology and language immersion. I did not specifically book sessions with a human teacher. I even developed an AI tool that provided model tests and even graded them for some parts of the test! This was a test of not just my German skills but also a test of the possibility of training for the Telc B1 German exam with only digital tools. Was I successful? Time will tell, but this was an experiment I wanted to run.
Other parts of my toolkit included:
• AI Resources: Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini proved indispensable. They simulated realistic conversations and helped me practice writing emails in German, offering instant feedback and boosting my confidence.
• YouTube Channels: I spent countless hours watching various channels that broke down the exam format. These videos gave me a clear idea of what to expect, from the structure of the test to tips on tackling each section.
• Netflix Immersion: For nearly a month leading up to the exam, I watched Netflix series and movies in German, often with German subtitles (and the occasional English subtitle when needed). This daily practice honed my listening skills and deepened my understanding of colloquial expressions.
I had registered for the exam back in December 2024, just so that I would push myself to prepare for it because I had an exam date in front of me. And that somehow worked.
Exam Day: At the Humboldt Institut
Exam day brought its own set of challenges. I took the exam at Humboldt Institut in Berlin, and just a week before, I received a detailed email from the Humboldt Institut instructing me to arrive at 9:45 AM, with the test starting promptly at 10:15 AM.
Arriving at the center in the biting -5°C weather, I was directed to wait outside. I sought refuge at a nearby train station to warm up, only to return and find a sizeable line already forming. After a brief wait of about two to three minutes, I proceeded to the reception, where I presented my ID and was then ushered to the first-floor waiting room. There, I joined approximately 35 other candidates, each sharing that same mix of determination and nervous energy.
Inside the Exam Room: Time to Ace
Once inside the exam room, the atmosphere was calm but focused. Tables and chairs were neatly arranged, each equipped with an answer booklet. Instructions were clearly written on the whiteboard. We all took a moment to jot down our names and test details before the first section began.
Leseverstehen (Reading Comprehension) – 90 Minutes
The exam kicked off with the reading comprehension section. For 90 minutes, we navigated through passages designed to test our understanding of written German. It was a demanding exercise in concentration and comprehension though there was enough time at the end for a quick review. I think this section generally has more time than required but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Hörverstehen (Listening Comprehension) – 30 Minutes
Next came the listening comprehension section, split into three parts over 30 minutes. We listened intently to audio recordings, answering questions that challenged our ability to catch nuances in spoken German. The mix of clear and subtly challenging segments kept us on our toes. During my model tests, I came across audio recordings that had heavily accented speech and was a bit worried that I might not be able to understand it well. Thankfully, it was the standard version in my case and I could understand most of the sections.
Schreiben (Writing) – 30 Minutes
The writing section was a bit of a race. In 30 minutes, I had to craft a reply email to a couple of friends (2 people) about visiting my city as they’re interested to visit it. From my experience, this section can be challenging if you’re not able to time your writing well. I’d recommend trying to write letters before the exam with a timer so that you’re able to manage well during the exam. In my case, I just managed to finish my letter and it was time.
Speaking exam: Test of Spontaneity and Confidence
After completing the written sections, we were asked to go the waiting room again. They had put up the timetable for the speaking exam with different groups in the waiting room. The written exam ended at 1:30 PM and the speaking exams were scheduled to start at 2:00 PM. My speaking exam was scheduled for 2:30 PM, but the last one was around 5:30 PM. When my turn came, I entered a room with five other candidates. We were given 20 minutes to prepare notes for the speaking task before moving into a separate room for the actual 10-minute exam.
The speaking portion was the most unpredictable but also the most fun. We introduced ourselves (part 1), engaged in discussions around weekend (part 2) and planned together a ship trip (part 3). Time went fast. The examiner had to remind us to move on to the next sections. I make a few grammatical mistakes when I speak but my idea was to keep it as conversational as possible without worrying too much about the grammatical mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Telc B1 exam was a formidable challenge and an experiment for using AI tools as a preparation tool for language exam preparation. Each section of the exam pushed my limits and underscored the importance of thorough preparation. While I eagerly await the results over the next few weeks, I am proud of the progress I’ve made and the strategies that helped me get here.
For anyone preparing for the Telc B1 exam, I highly recommend combining modern tools like AI and YouTube with immersive practices such as watching Netflix in German. Every bit of exposure counts!
Stay tuned for updates on my results – and wish me luck!
