telc Deutsch explained: exams, skills and how to prepare
telc gGmbH publishes German exams at every level from A1 to C2, including tests aimed at the workplace. If an employer or a course has mentioned telc, here is what you need to know. Our telc preparation path lists the steps.
Updated · 5 min read
A family of German exams
telc Deutsch includes exams for several purposes. One example is telc Deutsch B1 Beruf, which is aimed at working life. Look at the name of the exam your employer or course has asked for, and check that you are preparing for exactly that one.
What is tested
The B1 Beruf page lists reading, language elements, listening, writing and speaking. Language elements means grammar and vocabulary tested directly, which gives you a clear reason to work on them every day.
Paper or computer
telc exams are offered on paper and on a computer. Before you book, ask the exam centre which format it uses, and practise in that format.
What telc is used for
telc exams are often used for work, for study and for visas and residence. Requirements come from the employer, university or authority concerned, so ask them which exam and which level they accept.
How to prepare
- Take a free German level test.
- Learn German words with their articles, 16 a day.
- Practise full sentences and short dialogues to get word order right.
- If your exam is aimed at the workplace, focus on messages, requests and appointments. On 16Word, the job topics give you vocabulary for your profession.
- Use the official exam page to see what the test expects.
German for your goal
Choose your goal and level, and 16Word sets out the words, sentences and dialogues to learn next.
16Word's paths stop at B2 and do not imitate telc papers. They build the vocabulary and recall that the exam relies on.
For a comparison, read Goethe, TestDaF or telc and language exams for work and visas.
Keep exploring
Every exam below has its own preparation page on 16Word.
The other language exams
- Sproochentest (Luxembourgish)
- Inburgeringsexamen (Dutch)
- Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch)
- TOEFL iBT (English)
- IELTS (English)
- Cambridge English (English)
- PTE Academic (English)
- DELF (French)
- DALF (French)
- TCF (French)
- TEF (French)
- Goethe-Zertifikat (German)
- TestDaF (German)
- DELE (Spanish)
- CILS (Italian)
- CAPLE (Portuguese)
- HSK (Chinese)
- JLPT (Japanese)
- TOPIK (Korean)
- YKI (Finnish)
- Ellinomatheia (Greek)
- Certyfikat polski (Polish)
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- The TCF French test: five skills, levels and validity
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- Goethe-Zertifikat explained: levels A1 to C2 and how to prepare
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- Goethe, TestDaF or telc: which German exam should you take?
- The DELE Spanish diplomas: levels and how to get ready
- CILS Italian certificate: levels, skills and how to pass
- CAPLE Portuguese exams: levels A1 to C2 and who needs them
- HSK explained: levels 1 to 9 and the five skills tested
- How to prepare for the JLPT: a plan from N5 to N1
- How to prepare for TOPIK: a study plan for levels 1 to 6
- The YKI Finnish test: levels 1 to 6 and how to prepare
- How to prepare for the Greek Certificate of Attainment
- How to pass the Polish language certificate exam
- Staatsexamen NT2: how scoring works and how to prepare
- Language exams for studying abroad: which certificate to take
- Language exams for work and visas: which certificate you need
- Language exams for citizenship: which certificates are used
- Do language certificates expire? Validity of the main exams
- Language exams you can take at home: what to check first
- Free official sample papers for 17 language exams
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- Luxembourgish levels A1 to B2: what each CEFR level means in practice
- What level of Luxembourgish do you need for citizenship?
- The inburgering reading exam (A2 and B1): format, question types and tips
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- The KNM exam (Knowledge of Dutch Society): format, themes and how to prepare
- Staatsexamen NT2: programme I (B1) or programme II (B2)?
- A2 or B1 Dutch: which level do you need for inburgering, nationality or study?
- Inburgering exemptions and dispensation: when you take fewer or no exams
- What inburgering costs: exam fees, free attempts and the DUO loan
- The 3-year inburgering deadline: letters, fines and extra time
- How to register for the inburgering exams and the Staatsexamen NT2
- Dutch citizenship: the A2 language requirement and the naturalisation test
- Belgian nationality: the A2 language requirement and the Flemish Dutch test
- Inburgering in Flanders: the integration pathway and A2 Dutch
- The three inburgering routes: B1, education and Z route explained
- A 12-week plan to prepare for the inburgering exams
- Spanish nationality: the DELE A2 and CCSE requirement explained
- Italian citizenship: the B1 Italian language requirement
- Portuguese nationality: the A2 requirement and the CIPLE exam
- Finnish citizenship: the language requirement and the YKI test
- The Czech A2 exam for permanent residence: format, points and fee
- JLPT levels N5 to N1: sections, times and pass marks
- Polish citizenship: the B1 Polish certificate and how to get it
- The Greek Certificate of Attainment: levels, dates and fees
telc Deutsch: frequently asked questions
What levels do telc Deutsch exams cover?
From A1 to C2.
What is telc Deutsch B1 Beruf?
A German exam at B1 aimed at working life.
What does the telc B1 Beruf exam test?
Reading, language elements, listening, writing and speaking.
Is telc on paper or on a computer?
Both formats exist. Ask your exam centre.
What is telc used for?
Often for work, study, and visas and residence.
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Official sources
Keep going
- /certifications/telc
- Goethe, TestDaF or telc: which German exam should you take?
- Goethe-Zertifikat explained: levels A1 to C2 and how to prepare
- TestDaF explained: TDN 3 to 5 and studying in Germany
- The DELE Spanish diplomas: levels and how to get ready
- CILS Italian certificate: levels, skills and how to pass
- CAPLE Portuguese exams: levels A1 to C2 and who needs them
- HSK explained: levels 1 to 9 and the five skills tested
- How to prepare for the JLPT: a plan from N5 to N1
- All guides