Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 · telc · BAMF-Berufssprachkurs
14 took the B2 exam. 5 passed.
These are the strategies I used to pass the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 (telc) — originally written for my own study group, now free for everyone. No sign-up required.
The vocab app I built during my own B2 prep — iOS live, Android in beta.
How to use this guide
The Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 (DTB B2 for short) is the final exam of the BAMF-Berufssprachkurse, administered by telc. The examples here refer to Übungstest 1 — the official practice test you can download free from BAMF — PDF and all the listening files. Keep the test next to you so you can look up every question directly. There are a lot of tips here, but you don't have to learn everything at once. Here's how to go about it:
Start by reading just the 3 golden rules below. They apply to the whole exam.
Look at the overview — each exam part gets one short line. Tap a part to open the details.
Take on just one part at a time. Read the tips, then do exactly that part in the practice test.
Come back later and read the next part. That way it won't be too much at once.
The essentials, in short
240 points total — 60 each for Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen.
144 points (60%) to pass, plus at least 3 of 4 subtests above 60%.
125 minutes written exam, about 16 minutes oral Paarprüfung with no preparation time.
Listening texts play only once — no repeats.
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Something hard to understand? Use your browser's translation feature (Chrome, Safari, and Edge can translate the whole page with one tap) — or paste the page into ChatGPT or another AI tool if you'd rather do it that way.
How the exam is structured
One tip block per exam part — tap to jump straight there.
These rules apply almost everywhere in the exam. Learn them first.
1
Different words, same meaning
The correct answer says the same thing in different words. Never look for the exact same word from the text — that's the biggest trap.
Show example ▾
Frage 19: The text says the conference rooms were „nicht ordentlich“ — the correct answer says „unzufrieden mit der Reinigung“. Different words, same thing.
2
Little words decide
alle, immer, nur, kein, nicht, weder … noch, sollte, muss: these little words can flip the whole sentence.
Show example ▾
Frage 6: „Gäste zu allen Veranstaltungen erlaubt“ sounds harmless, but „alle“ (all) makes the statement false — try it for yourself just below.
3
Overview first, then details
Get an overview first. Depending on the part, that means reading the questions first or the text first — it's noted for every part below.
Try it yourself — in 10 seconds
This is rule 2 in action: a real richtig/falsch (true/false) question from the practice test. Read the two text excerpts and decide. Only after that will I show you where the trap is.
Übungstest 1 · Lesen Teil 2 · Frage 6ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Lesen Sie die Texte und die Aufgaben 6–9. Ist die Aussage dazu richtig oder falsch?
In the original: 2 texts with 4 questions (6–9) — here one question with the key text excerpts.
Aus dem Text (Willkommensmappe)
„… bietet unser Unternehmen alljährlich zwei Gemeinschaftsveranstaltungen an.“ (Betriebsausflug + Sommerfest)
„Anders als beim Betriebsausflug können wichtige Geschäftspartner als geladene Gäste daran teilnehmen.“ (daran = beim Sommerfest)
6„Zu allen Gemeinschaftsveranstaltungen dürfen Gäste mitgebracht werden.“
„alle“ → check immediately: does that really apply to every event?
→ One single little word („allen“) makes the whole statement false.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 6): the „alle“ trapThe statement (Frage 6) says: „Zu allen Gemeinschaftsveranstaltungen dürfen Gäste mitgebracht werden.“ But the text says: guests may only come to the Sommerfest („Anders als beim Betriebsausflug können … Gäste teilnehmen“), so not to all of them. The word „alle“ is the trap → the statement is falsch.
0 of 13 solved
🎉 All 13 solved — you've now hit every trap yourself!
That's exactly how it sticks. Next up: enter your email below — you'll get the PDF version, the Sprechen strategies first, and all the lists. Or get the Worio app and practice the signal words as a vocab set.
👇 You'll find excerpts just like this in every exam part below — always try tapping it yourself first, then open the explanation. Your progress stays saved on this device.
Lesen Teil 1–4: 45 minutes for 18 questions (54 points). „Lesen und Schreiben“ is its own block with 20 minutes. Tap a part to see the details.
Teil 1Finding the right article for a friendRead what the person needs — not every detail.▾
What you do here
You read 5 short sentences about people, plus 8 article teasers from a business newspaper (a–h). Each person matches exactly one article — 3 articles are left over.
5 matching questions · Fragen 1–5 · 15 points
Übungstest 1 · Lesen Teil 1 · Frage 1 & 2ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Entscheiden Sie, welcher Artikel zu welcher Person passt.
In the original: 5 people, 8 articles — here an excerpt with 2 people and 3 articles.
1Elena weiß nicht, wie es nach ihrer Ausbildung weitergeht.
„nach“ = finished → she's looking for her entry, not further training!
2Joaquin überlegt, welche Weiterbildung er als Nächstes machen kann.
„Weiter“-bildung (further training) → he's already in, he's not starting fresh.
Articles
cBeruflich erfolgreicher mit Weiterbildungen… wer hier nicht verlieren möchte, sollte berufliche Weiterbildungen nach der Ausbildung nutzen.
d„Ich wollte allen zeigen, was ich kann“… gehört nun zu den erfolgreichsten Gründerinnen Europas.
fSo gelingt der BerufseinstiegDirekt nach dem Studium oder der Ausbildung einen Job zu finden, ist gar nicht so einfach …
→ Both articles say „Ausbildung“ — what matters is the need, not the matching word!
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 1 and 2)Person 1 and Person 2 sound almost identical, but one little word makes the difference:
• Elena (Frage 1): „weiß nicht, wie es nach ihrer Ausbildung weitergeht.“ The word „nach“ (after) shows: she's finished and looking for the next step → article f „So gelingt der Berufseinstieg“.
• Joaquin (Frage 2): „überlegt, welche Weiterbildung er als Nächstes machen kann.“ He wants further training → article c „Beruflich erfolgreicher mit Weiterbildungen“.
Both mention „Ausbildung“. Only the little word „nach“ in Elena's sentence reveals her real need. Pay close attention to that!
Look at the friend's situation: what does this person need right now?
Find the key words and the need.
Imagine you're really helping a friend. Think of a solution yourself first, then read the options.
Often one little word decides it: an adjective or a preposition points to the right answer.
Not a detail part. You don't need to read every word here. Understand the need — that's enough.
Teil 2Long text — read the questions firstOptions are guesses; confirm or disprove them in the text.▾
What you do here
Two texts from a welcome packet for new employees. Each text comes with two questions: one richtig/falsch (true/false) statement, and one multiple-choice question with a, b, c.
2 richtig/falsch + 2 multiple choice · Fragen 6–9 · 12 points
Übungstest 1 · Lesen Teil 2 · Frage 7ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Lesen Sie die Texte und die Aufgaben 6–9. Welche Antwort (a, b oder c) passt am besten?
In the original: 2 texts with 4 questions (6–9) — here one multiple-choice question with the matching text excerpts.
Aus dem Text (Willkommensmappe)
„Dieses findet immer eine Woche vor den Betriebsferien statt.“
„… entschieden wir uns aufgrund der Arbeitsdichte zum Jahresabschluss, der religiösen Vielfalt in unseren Teams und der hohen Termindichte in der Vorweihnachtszeit dazu, ein Sommerfest statt einer Weihnachtsfeier zu veranstalten.“
7Der Arbeitgeber veranstaltet ein Sommerfest,
Vorweihnachtszeit = December. Paraphrase spotted!
→ Keep all three options in mind first, then let the text confirm one.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 7): checking three optionsFrage 7 („Der Arbeitgeber veranstaltet ein Sommerfest…“) has three options: (a) because the Betriebsferien are a good time to celebrate, (b) organized by selected employees, (c) because most people have lots of appointments in December. Read all three as possible truths, then look in the text for the reason: „hohe Termindichte in der Vorweihnachtszeit“ → answer c gets confirmed.
Option a is the word trap: „Betriebsferien“ appears in the text, but the party takes place a week before the Betriebsferien — not during it.
The text is long and difficult. Read the questions first, then the text.
Read all three options as guesses. Then go back into the text: what confirms or disproves the statement?
The famous „alle“ trap (Frage 6) comes from exactly this part — try it above.
Watch for the trap: absolute words like alle, immer, nur, jeder, weder … noch. If an answer says „alle“ or „immer“, it's often wrong. Check it carefully against the text.
Teil 3Answering a colleague's specific questionThe question mark shows what the answer has to hit. Cross out as you go.▾
What you do here
Four colleagues each ask a specific question about labor law in a forum (10–13). There are six answer tips to go with them (a–f). You match each question to the tip that actually answers it.
4 matching questions · Fragen 10–13 · 12 pointsWhat many people forgetOne question has no matching answer at all — that's where an x goes. The instruction says exactly that: „Für eine Frage gibt es keinen passenden Tipp. Markieren Sie dafür ein x auf dem Antwortbogen.“ Many people don't know this, force-match the leftover tip somewhere anyway, and end up with two wrong answers instead of one. When nothing really fits, that's precisely the correct answer.
Übungstest 1 · Lesen Teil 3 · Frage 10 & 11ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Lesen Sie die Fragen 10–13. Lesen Sie die Texte a–f. Welche Frage passt zu welchem Tipp?
In the original: 4 questions, 6 tips — here an excerpt with 2 questions and 3 tips.
10Martha: „Wie viele Tage Urlaub sollte ein Azubi unter 18 Jahren bekommen? … Antwortet mal fleißig, wenn's geht, mit einem Link zum Gesetz.“
„Link zum Gesetz“ (link to the law) = she wants proof, not an opinion.
11Tomas: „… unser Chef möchte, dass wir auch am Samstag arbeiten. Wir sind noch in der Ausbildung. … Kann jemand schnell Auskunft geben?“
„allerdings“ → here comes the exception!
Tips for young Auszubildende (trainees)
aSuszanna, vor 3 Stunden„Ich finde es total ungerecht, dass minderjährige Azubis mehr Urlaub bekommen als volljährige. …“
bHanna, vor 56 Minuten„Also, grundsätzlich ist der Samstag ein ganz normaler Werktag … Geschützt sind allerdings minderjährige Auszubildende …“
fLouis, vor 49 Minuten„… das Gesetz schreibt vor, dass minderjährige Auszubildende mindestens 25 Werktage Urlaub haben müssen. … Den Link dazu findest du unter www.azubi-azubine.de.“
→ An opinion is not information: Suszanna (a) talks about vacation but doesn't actually answer Martha's question.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 10, Martha)Martha asks how many vacation days an Azubi under 18 gets, and says: „Antwortet … mit einem Link zum Gesetz.“ She wants it concrete and verified. Only Louis (Tipp f) states the exact rule („mindestens 25 Werktage“) and gives the link (azubi-azubine.de). That's exactly what meets her requirement → answer f.Example from the practice test (Frage 11, Tomas): „allerdings“Tomas asks whether Azubis are allowed to work Saturdays. Hanna (Tipp b) wins: „Grundsätzlich ist der Samstag ein normaler Werktag … Geschützt sind allerdings minderjährige Auszubildende.“ The word „allerdings“ (however) signals the exception. Anyone who knows these small signal words spots the complete answer right away → answer b.
A colleague asks a very specific question. The question mark (?) shows exactly what the answer has to deliver. Look for the answer that fits it precisely.
Watch for conditions: does she want something concrete and verified (e.g. with a link to the rule)? Then a vague answer is wrong.
Cross out (elimination): just an opinion instead of information → gone. Different topic → gone. That's the best method here.
Learn the connecting words (Konnektoren)! Especially weder … noch. Also grundsätzlich (= an exception is coming) and allerdings (= a restriction follows).
Teil 4Meeting minutes — questions in text orderThe easiest part. Read straight through, don't backtrack.▾
What you do here
A long set of meeting minutes with six agenda items, plus 5 multiple-choice questions (14–18). The questions come in the same order as the text — Frage 14 belongs near the start, Frage 18 near the end.
5 multiple-choice questions · Fragen 14–18 · 15 points
Übungstest 1 · Lesen Teil 4 · Frage 15 & 16ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Lesen Sie das Protokoll und die Aufgaben 14–18. Welche Antwort (a, b oder c) passt am besten?
In the original: 5 questions on a long set of minutes — here 2 questions each with the matching text excerpt.
Aus dem Protokoll (TOP 2)
„Wenn Werkshalle II oder IV als geeignet erscheint, wird unmittelbar mit der Herstellung der Fertigungsanlage in Italien begonnen.“
„Sollte keine der beiden Werkshallen für den Aufbau … groß genug sein, müssten wir zuerst eine komplett neue Werkshalle … errichten lassen.“
15Die neue Fertigungsanlage
„wenn / sollte“ = just a condition, not a fact!
Aus dem Protokoll (TOP 3)
„PS legt neue Verkaufszahlen vor, die im letzten Quartal 20 Prozent über dem vergleichbaren Quartal des Vorjahrs liegen.“
16Metallkästen und Metallgehäuse
„sich lassen“ = „kann verkauft werden“ — that's not what the text says.
→ Read passive forms and „sich lassen“ carefully — and check what's just a condition.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 15 and 16)Frage 15: The text says production „wird … in Italien begonnen“ (will begin in Italy). The correct answer c „wird in Italien gebaut“ (is being built in Italy) is genuine passive voice, same meaning in different words.
Frage 16: Option a says „lassen sich nur in Deutschland verkaufen“. „sich lassen“ means „kann verkauft werden“ (can be sold), but that's not what the text says → a is falsch. The correct answer is c „zeigen steigende Verkaufszahlen“ (text: „20 Prozent über dem Vorjahr“). Read passive forms carefully!
The easiest part. The questions come in the same order as the text. The answer sits in one section.
Read the question → find the matching section → read just that one closely. Don't backtrack.
Lots of passive voice. Spot it by werden / sein. Also watch for sich lassen („lässt sich verkaufen“ = can be sold) and sein + zu („ist zu tragen“ = must be worn).
A condition is not a fact.wenn, sollte, müssten, könnte only describe a possible case. An option that turns it into a fact is wrong.
L + SComplaint email — Frage 19/20 + write a replyAlmost always a customer complaint. Check off every instruction from your boss.▾
What you do here
Your team lead forwards you a customer's email. First you answer two multiple-choice questions about that email (19–20), then you write the reply to the customer yourself (21).
2 multiple choice (19–20, 6 points) + 1 reply email (21, 7 points) · its own 20-minute blockWhat many people forgetThe email belongs on the answer sheet, not in the notes box. The task sheet has a big field labeled „Platz für Notizen“ (space for notes) — that's only for your own notes and is not graded. Only what's on the answer sheet (page 5) counts. If you write in the wrong box under stress, you lose all 7 points.
Übungstest 1 · Lesen + Schreiben · Frage 20ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Welche Lösung (a, b oder c) passt am besten?
In the original: 2 questions (19–20) about the customer's email — here one of them.
Aus der E-Mail von Herrn Stemmler
„In den letzten drei Wochen kam es immer wieder vor, dass vor allem die Konferenzräume nicht ordentlich waren.“
20Die Probleme
The number „drei“ (three) is in the text — but with Wochen (weeks), not months!
→ Always check the exact time reference: the number alone is the trap.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 20): the time trapIn the text, Herr Stemmler writes: „In den letzten drei Wochen“ (in the last three weeks) there were problems. Answer b „seit einigen Wochen“ (for a few weeks) is correct. Answer c „seit drei Monaten“ (for three months) is the number trap. Always check the exact time reference from the text.
Übungstest 1 · Lesen + Schreiben · Frage 21ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Schreiben Sie eine E-Mail an den Kunden. Setzen Sie dabei alle Punkte Ihrer Teamleitung um.
In the original: the team lead's complete email — here the three instructions from it. Tap each one you'd check off.
21Marisa Leon (Teamleitung) gibt vor, was in eurer Antwort stehen muss:
Miss one instruction, miss points — Frage 21 is worth 7 points.
→ Check off every instruction first, then write. Forget nothing = full marks possible.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 21): checking off the boss's instructionsTeam lead Marisa Leon spells out exactly what needs to be in the reply: (1) answer the customer politely, (2) give the reason for the problems, (3) „ganz wichtig“ (very important): write how you'll fix the problems going forward. Underline these points and check off each one. Only if all of them appear do you get full marks.
Almost always a complaint from a customer.
The answers for 19 and 20 are in the customer's original email. Questions or email first — either order works.
Underline the boss's instructions. What has to be in your reply? Every point needs to show up.
Number trap. A number from the text often resurfaces in a wrong answer — just with the wrong unit („drei Wochen“ → „drei Monate“). Always read the number and the unit.
💡 You can practice the little signal words and connectors from this part (allerdings, grundsätzlich, weder … noch …) as a vocab set — that's exactly why I built Worio.
Hören
Listening Comprehension
Hören Teil 1–4: 20 minutes for 19 questions (57 points), „Hören und Schreiben“ adds another 5 minutes. Every text plays only once — there's no repeat. To follow along you'll need the audio: the 5 audio files are available from BAMF (Teil 1–4 + Hören und Schreiben). Ground rule: be fast, decide, move on. Don't dwell on the last question — you'll forget it anyway. Write down every answer immediately on the answer sheet.
Teil 1Picture the scene, eyes closedRead the questions first. Don't chase a single word.▾
What you do here
Three short workplace conversations. Each conversation comes with two questions: one richtig/falsch (true/false) statement, and one multiple-choice question.
3 richtig/falsch + 3 multiple choice · Fragen 22–27 · 18 points — the highest-scoring Hören part
Read the questions first and picture the scene: who's speaking? What's happening? What should I listen for?
Close your eyes while the audio plays. Reading and listening at the same time hurts your concentration.
You hear each text only once. There's no repeat — decide quickly and move on.
Example: paraphrase instead of the same wordThe correct answer almost never uses the same word as the listening text. Best example (Hören Teil 4, Julian): the word „krank“ (sick) never appears once in the audio. Julian only says he's „hurt his hand pretty badly," is „at the doctor's," and the doctor said „dass ich einige Tage nicht arbeiten darf" (that he can't work for a few days) — he's scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The correct answer a still reads „meldet sich für das Wochenende krank“ (calls in sick for the weekend). Pay attention to the meaning, not a single word.Don't search the audio for one keyword. The correct answer says it in different words.
Teil 2Mark the little wordsmeistens · sollte · muss · nicht — they carry the meaning.▾
What you do here
Four short conversations (28–31). There are six sentences to go with them (a–f) — you match each conversation to the sentence that fits best. Two sentences are left over.4 matching questions · Fragen 28–31 · 12 pointsWhat many people forgetYou get a minute beforehand to read a–f — actually use it. The instruction says: „Lesen Sie jetzt die Sätze a–f. Dazu haben Sie eine Minute Zeit.“ Anyone who skips that minute ends up reading the six sentences for the first time while the audio is already playing — and misses the entire first conversation as a result.
Before listening: mark the little words, not the content words — meistens, sollte, manchmal, muss, immer, and a nicht/kein in front of them (which flips the sentence).
Eyes closed while listening, then quickly find the matching answer.
Check first: which option doesn't fit? Cross it out. Then pick the best one — fast and confident, no long deliberation.
Teil 3Presentation — follow the slide titlesEyes open. One word from the title is your thread to follow.▾
What you do here
A presentation at work. On the sheet you see the slide titles plus four multiple-choice questions (32–35). Everything comes in order — slide by slide.
4 multiple-choice questions · Fragen 32–35 · 12 pointsWhat many people forgetThe first item is an already-solved example — it doesn't count. Right at the top is a „Beispiel“ (example) with the answer already marked. Your first real question is number 32. Anyone who mistakes the example for the first question ends up shifted one slide off for everything after. As before: one minute to read ahead, then the presentation plays once.
You know the format → skip the instructions. The example is already filled in and gives you the context.
Follow the slide titles like a thread. Read just one word from the title. Once you hear the speaker reach that point, listen closely and find the option.
Keep your eyes open here — you need the title as an anchor. Everything is in order, no going back, fewer traps.
Lost the thread? Stay calm, grab the idea, match it to a title, keep going. Losing it briefly is fine — overthinking is worse.
Teil 4Voicemails — what am I supposed to do?You're the recipient. Eyes closed, grasp the situation.▾
What you do here
Five phone voicemails (36–40). Each message comes with exactly one multiple-choice question: what does this person actually want from you?
5 multiple-choice questions · Fragen 36–40 · 15 points
Picture it: you get a voicemail. The person tells you what you're supposed to do for them.
Read the question first, then close your eyes and listen closely: what does the person need? Then open your eyes and pick the best answer.
Decide fast, don't second-guess.
H + SPhone note — Frage 41–45Don't forget Frage 41. Deliberately skip the phone number.▾
What you do here
You hear one phone message and then brief your colleague on it. First you tick the reason for the call (41: Angebot/offer, Bestellung/Buchung/order-booking, or Beschwerde/complaint), then you fill out the phone note: name, contact, further information, and "to do" (42–45).
1 multiple choice (41, 3 points) + notes (42–45, 6 points) · only 5 minutes for all of itWhat many people forgetFrage 41 is its own tick box above the note — and that's exactly the part most people leave blank. The message starts, everyone immediately starts scribbling notes, and the small multiple-choice box right at the top is easy to overlook. Yet it's worth 3 points — more than name, phone number, and "to do" combined (2 points).
Do it the other way around: the reason for the call is almost always in the first sentences. Tick 41 right away, before you start writing — then your head is free for the note.
Übungstest 1 · Hören + Schreiben · Frage 41–45ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Sie hören eine telefonische Mitteilung. Informieren Sie Ihre Kollegin. Wählen Sie für Frage 41 die richtige Lösung (a, b oder c).
In the original you hear the text — here it's written out as a quote so you can practice the decision.
Aus der Mitteilung (Altstadthotel)
„Sie haben bei uns für nächste Woche Montag unseren großen Konferenzraum ‚Atlantis' gebucht und 20 Zimmer für Ihre Gäste …“
„Ich wollte nur noch darauf hinweisen, dass wir jetzt wieder eine Tiefgarage im Haus haben. … Falls Sie Parkplätze für 12 Euro die Nacht reservieren möchten, können Sie das direkt telefonisch machen.“
41Grund für den Anruf
„gebucht“ happened earlier — the call brings something new!
Phone note — what's worth how much
41Grund für den Anruf3 points
42Name (spelled out later)0.5
43Kontakt / Telefonnummer0.5
44Weitere Informationen4 points
45Zu erledigen1 point
Task 44 is worth by far the most points (4) — the phone number (43), by contrast, is only 0.5.
→ Frage 41 is worth 3 points and takes 2 seconds. Tick it first, then write the note.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 41–45)The caller first just says „Andreas Nowitzky mein Name, vom Altstadthotel" (my name is Andreas Nowitzky, from the Altstadthotel). A bit later he spells it out: „N–O–W–I–T–Z–K–Y“. Don't worry about catching the spelling right away — listen first for the situation (the reason for Frage 41: the offer about the new underground garage). And the number „0–30–990–93–11“? You deliberately skip that.
Don't forget Frage 41! Many people miss it while writing — it's worth 3 points and takes two seconds. Circle 41 first, or draw an arrow ↑ on the task sheet and circle it once the note is done.
The name is said twice. No need to panic the first time — the person spells it out later. Focus on the situation first.
Write fast and use abbreviations (e.g. + for „und"/and). I'll send my abbreviation and spelling-alphabet list with the PDF version — enter your email below on the page.
Deliberately skip the phone number. It's the hardest part to catch, but it's only worth 0.5 of 6 writing points — and it's all-or-nothing: one wrong digit = the whole thing wrong. That just makes you nervous. Fill in „Weitere Informationen" (4 points) and „Zu erledigen" instead.
💡 In Hören, almost everything comes down to whether you recognize the paraphrase — the same thing in different words. That's exactly what you train in Worio: learning words together with their synonyms and word families, not in isolation.
Sprachbausteine
Grammar & Vocabulary
Two emails with twelve blanks (46–57): find the right word or expression — grammar and vocabulary, 6 points total. Watch out for the time trap: both parts share 35 minutes with the forum post (Frage 58) — the 12 blanks are worth only 6 points, the essay alone is worth 14.
Teil 1Blanks from a word list — Frage 46–51Text first, sure blanks first. Connectors are the key.▾
What you do here
An application email with six blanks (46–51). There's a box with ten words to go with it (a–j) — you find the right word for each blank.
6 matching questions · Fragen 46–51 · only 3 points (0.5 per blank)What many people forgetNot every word fits — four are left over, and each word can only be used once. The instruction says exactly that: „Sie können jedes Wort im Kasten nur einmal verwenden. Nicht alle Wörter passen in den Text.“ Anyone who thinks all ten have to go somewhere ends up changing blanks that were already correct — and gets them wrong as a result. Leftover words are normal.
Übungstest 1 · Sprachbausteine Teil 1 · Frage 49ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Welche Wörter a–j passen am besten in die Lücken 46–51? Sie können jedes Wort im Kasten nur einmal verwenden.
In the original: 6 blanks and 10 words — here one blank with 3 words from the box.
49„Es wäre sehr hilfreich, wenn Sie mir kurz mitteilen könnten, ___49___ ich frühestens mit einer Antwort rechnen kann.“
„frühestens“ (earliest) → this is about a point in time, not a yes/no.
Words in the box
eOB
gSOBALD
iWANN
→ The sentence shows you which part of speech is missing. Only then look in the box.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 49)The sentence: „…wenn Sie mir kurz mitteilen könnten, [49] ich frühestens mit einer Antwort rechnen kann“ (…if you could briefly let me know [49] I can earliest expect a reply). This is asking about a point in time → the correct word is WANN (i, "when"). The sentence itself shows you what kind of word is missing (here, an indirect question about time).
Don't read the word list first — individual words give you no information.
Read the whole text first. Picture the situation and start guessing in your head which words fit.
Fill in the sure blanks first. That makes the rest easier.
Teil 2Email with multiple-choice blanks — Frage 52–57Skim first, then guess. It's about verb + noun.▾
What you do here
An order email to a company, again with six blanks (52–57). This time each blank has three expressions to choose from (a, b, c) — you pick the one that fits best.
6 multiple-choice questions · Fragen 52–57 · only 3 points (0.5 per blank)
Übungstest 1 · Sprachbausteine Teil 2 · Frage 53ⓘRecreated for this guide — not an original scan. The full official practice test is free as a PDF from BAMF.
Welcher Ausdruck (a, b oder c) passt am besten in die Lücken 52–57?
In the original: 6 blanks in an order email — here one of them.
53„Wir sind ein Heizungs- und Sanitärunternehmen und möchten unseren ___53___ um Badmodernisierungen erweitern.“
Read the verb first: what can you even „erweitern“ (expand)?
→ The verb already tells you which noun fits.
Show explanation ▾Example from the practice test (Frage 53)The sentence contains the verb „erweitern“ (expand) — „möchten unseren … um Badmodernisierungen erweitern“. Only one noun fits with it: c „aktuellen Leistungsbereich“ (service scope), not „letzten Auftrag“ (last order) or „Arbeitsnachweis“ (work record). The verb in the sentence already shows you which noun belongs in the blank.
Skim the whole email first (without focusing on the blanks). What's the situation? What does the person want?
Then go to the first blank: guess it yourself first, and compare with the answer choices.
Torn between two? Keep reading and look for information that confirms or rules one out.
This part tests verb + noun (which words go together?). Learn fixed collocations like rechnen mit … or einen Bereich erweitern.
💡 You can paste fixed collocations (verb + noun) from your practice tests as text into Worio — the app automatically turns them into a practice set.
Schreiben
Written Expression
This is about the two free-form texts: the reply email (Frage 21, 7 points) and the forum post (Frage 58, 14 points). Prepare templates before the exam — that saves the most time. Frage 21 belongs to the 20-minute „Lesen und Schreiben" block, Frage 58 to the 35-minute „Sprachbausteine und Schreiben".
Frage 21Replying to a complaintOne universal template. Just swap the information.▾
What you do here
This is the reply email from „Lesen und Schreiben" (Frage 21). You respond to the customer's complaint and address every point your team lead specifies — in suitably formal language.
1 reply email · Frage 21 · 7 points
The space is very small. Write compactly, no long text.
Prepare ONE template that works for any complaint. You just swap the information — not many templates, just one.
The template should always include: thanks for the email · a genuine apology · the real information filled in · every instruction from the boss checked off.
Frage 58Forum postFixed structure: for · against · your own opinion.▾
What you do here
A post for the company forum. You get two topics (A and B) and write about one of them: justify your opinion, give fitting examples, organize the text into sensible paragraphs.
1 forum post · Frage 58 · 14 points — the highest single point value in the whole written examWhat many people forgetAgain, write on the answer sheet, not in the notes box. Just like Frage 21: the „Platz für Notizen" box is not graded — the finished text belongs on the answer sheet, page 7.
Read the topics quickly. Pick the one you have the most to say about. Commit — don't hunt for the perfect topic, start right away.
Fixed structure: 1–2 points for · 1–2 points against · a short summary with your own opinion at the end (not just neutral!). Close politely, e.g. „Ich freue mich auf das nächste Treffen“ (I look forward to the next meeting).
Finding ideas: think about the effect on yourself and on others — mentally, physically, emotionally, socially. That gives you arguments fast.
Frequently asked questions about the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2
Every number here comes from the official Übungstest 1 (test format and „Punkte und Gewichtung"/points and weighting) — not from the internet.
How many points do you need to pass the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2?
144 out of 240 points — that's 60%. In addition, at least three of the four subtests (Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen) must be above 60%, which is 36 out of 60 points per subtest.
How are the 240 points distributed across the exam parts?
25% each go to Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, and Sprechen — 60 points per skill. In Lesen and Hören, every correct answer is worth 3 points.
Note: "Schreiben" is more than just the essay. 33 points come from the individual tasks — the reply email (Frage 21, 7 pts.), the phone note (42–45, 6 pts.), both Sprachbausteine parts (46–57, 6 pts.), and the forum post (58, 14 pts.). The remaining 27 points come from an additional cross-task assessment: your overall writing performance across all texts gets assessed separately once more. That's how the 60 points add up.
Can I make up for a weak exam part?
Yes, but only one. In one subtest, your score is allowed to fall between 40 and 60% — that weaker result can be compensated for. The other three subtests must be above 60%.
How long does the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 take?
The written part takes 125 minutes: Lesen 45 min., Lesen und Schreiben 20 min., Hören 20 min., Hören und Schreiben 5 min., Sprachbausteine und Schreiben 35 min.
The oral exam takes about 16 minutes and is conducted as a Paarprüfung (paired exam).
How is the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 structured?
Five written blocks plus the oral exam: Lesen (4 parts), Lesen und Schreiben (2 parts), Hören (4 parts), Hören und Schreiben (2 parts), Sprachbausteine und Schreiben (3 parts), and Sprechen (Teil 1A/1B/1C, Teil 2, Teil 3).
The questions are numbered from 1 to 58 — that's why the essay is called "Frage 58."
How many times do I hear the listening texts in the exam?
Only once. In all four Hören parts and in Hören und Schreiben, it says explicitly: „Sie hören die Gespräche einmal.“ (you hear the conversations once) There's no repeat — so decide quickly and move on.
Is there preparation time in the oral exam?
No. There is no preparation time in the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2. The oral exam is a Paarprüfung, takes about 16 minutes, and consists of three parts.
In Teil 1A you choose one of two topics — the pair is drawn from eight topics presented in the practice test.
Where can I get an official practice test for the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2?
Free and without sign-up from BAMF: „Übungstest 1 — Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2“. There you'll find the complete PDF and the 5 audio files for Hören Teil 1–4 as well as Hören und Schreiben. Every example on this page refers to exactly this test.
The excerpts on this page are recreated (own formatting, not original scans) and each show only a short part of the task.
One last thing
These tips don't replace practice. But if you already know the method before you sit down with the practice tests, you can apply it right away and get a clearer view of your results.
Pick one exam part right now and do exactly that part in Übungstest 1 — ideally today. That's exactly how I started. 💪
Vocabulary helped me the most
During my prep I built Worio — a vocab app for German (A1–C2): paste in a text, get a practice set, study a few minutes each day.
Sign up and you'll be added to the closed beta — you get the app before it's public on the Play Store.
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PDF, Sprechen strategies & lists by email
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