Where to Take the German B1 Exam: Goethe & telc Registration

Once you've decided to sit a German B1 exam, the next question is practical: where do you actually take it, and how do you register? The two main certificates — Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and telc Deutsch B1 — are issued at different networks of exam centres with slightly different registration processes. Here is what to check before you book.

Updated 2026-07-24

The two providers and where the exam is held

German B1 exams are almost always taken through one of two providers, each with its own network of exam locations rather than a single central test site.

	Goethe-Zertifikat B1	telc Deutsch B1
Offered by	The Goethe-Institut and its licensed exam partners worldwide	Licensed telc test centres
Typical venues	Goethe-Institut branches and licensed partner institutes	Volkshochschulen (adult-education centres) and language schools that hold a telc licence
Exam day format	Modular — 4 separate modules (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen)	Generally one combined exam

Both certificates test the same CEFR B1 level. Availability of each provider depends heavily on your city and country — check both if you have a choice.

How registration generally works

The exact steps vary by country and by centre, but at most locations registration follows the same general pattern:

›Find a licensed exam centre near you — a Goethe-Institut or licensed partner, or a licensed telc test centre such as a Volkshochschule or language school.
›Check which exam dates are currently available; popular centres and dates can fill up well in advance.
›Register for the exam and pay the fee to confirm your place.
›Receive your exam date, time, location, and any preparation instructions from the centre.

Some centres let you register and pay online; others require an in-person visit, email, or bank transfer. Always follow the specific instructions published by the centre you choose.

Fees vary by country and centre

Exam fees for both Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and telc Deutsch B1 are set locally and vary by country and by exam centre — there is no single fixed price. When you contact a centre to register, ask for its current fee and what it covers (for example, whether a resit of a single part costs less than a full retake).

Which certificate should you choose?

Before you register anywhere, confirm which certificate the body that needs your result actually accepts — an employer, a university, or an immigration or naturalisation authority. Both Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and telc Deutsch B1 certify the same B1 level and are widely accepted, but requirements differ by institution and country.

›Ask the specific institution or authority which certificate (or which provider) it requires, rather than assuming either will do.
›If no particular certificate is named, either is generally an accepted proof of B1 German — but confirming first avoids having to retake the exam with a different provider.

Modular Goethe exam vs one combined telc exam

The two exams are also structured differently in a way that can affect how you register and retake parts. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is modular: it has 4 modules (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen), each scored independently, and at many centres you can sit — or retake — individual modules rather than the whole exam. telc Deutsch B1 is generally taken as one combined exam covering all skills together.

If you expect to need a resit, ask the centre whether it supports module-by-module retakes (more common with Goethe) or only a full retake (typical for telc's combined format).

What to bring on exam day

›Valid photo ID (passport or national ID card) that matches the name on your registration.
›Your registration confirmation or admission document, if the centre issued one.
›Arrive early — check-in and ID verification take time before the exam itself starts.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I take the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam?

At Goethe-Institut locations and their licensed exam partners worldwide. Availability depends on your country and city.

Where can I take the telc Deutsch B1 exam?

At licensed telc test centres, which are frequently Volkshochschulen (adult-education centres) and language schools that hold a telc licence.

How do I register for the German B1 exam?

At most centres you find a licensed exam centre near you, check available dates, register and pay the fee, and then receive your exam date and instructions. Exact steps vary by centre, so always follow that centre's own process.

How much does the German B1 exam cost?

Fees vary by country and by exam centre for both Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and telc Deutsch B1 — there is no single fixed price. Ask your chosen centre for its current fee.

Should I take Goethe B1 or telc B1?

First check which certificate the employer, university, or immigration/naturalisation authority that needs your result actually accepts. Both certify the same B1 level and are widely accepted, but always confirm the specific requirement before you register.

Can I retake just one part of the German B1 exam?

It depends on the provider. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is modular, so at many centres you can sit or retake individual modules. telc Deutsch B1 is generally taken as one combined exam.

What do I need to bring to the German B1 exam?

Valid photo ID is required at both Goethe and telc exam centres. Bring your registration confirmation if one was issued, and arrive early for check-in.

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