The telc Deutsch B1 oral exam lasts about 15 minutes, is taken in pairs, and has three parts - getting to know each other, discussing a topic from a picture or text, and planning something together.
Teil 1 - Kontaktaufnahme (about 3 minutes). You and your partner introduce yourselves to each other: where you are from, what you do, why you are learning German. It is deliberately easy and exists to settle nerves. Answer in full sentences and ask your partner something back - a one-word answer here already costs marks under "communicative design".
Teil 2 - Gespräch über ein Thema (about 6 minutes). Each candidate gets a short text or picture on an everyday topic and talks about it, then discusses it with their partner. You are expected to describe what you see, relate it to your own experience, and give an opinion.
Teil 3 - Gemeinsam etwas planen (about 6 minutes). Together you plan something practical - a birthday party, a trip, a colleague's farewell. This is the part that decides most results, because it is the only one that requires genuine back-and-forth: making suggestions, agreeing, disagreeing, and reaching a decision.
Four criteria, applied by two examiners:
The ranking surprises people: accuracy matters least. A candidate who speaks fluently with mistakes outscores one who is grammatically careful but halting.
Preparing a monologue and delivering it regardless of what the partner says. Teil 3 is scored on interaction, so a rehearsed speech that ignores your partner is penalised even if the German is perfect.
Not reacting. Phrases like Das finde ich auch, Da bin ich anderer Meinung, and Wollen wir lieber…? are what makes an exchange look like a conversation, and they are quick to learn.
Falling silent while searching for a word. Saying Wie sagt man…? or paraphrasing scores better than a pause - repair strategies count as fluency, not as failure.
Speaking is the hardest section to prepare without a partner, which is why most candidates underprepare it. In the simulator you answer aloud, the AI takes the role of the other candidate and keeps the dialogue going, and your answer is then assessed against these same four criteria - including which one cost you points.
About 15 minutes for a pair of candidates, preceded by 20 minutes of supervised preparation during which you may make notes. If you are examined in a group of three, the exam runs about 20 minutes.
Normally no - the exam is designed for pairs, because two of the three parts require interaction with another candidate. If numbers are uneven, centres examine in threes rather than singly.
You are assessed individually, not as a pair. A weaker partner cannot lower your score. In practice a passive partner works in your favour, since taking the initiative is itself part of what Teil 3 assesses.
75 of the 300 total points. It is assessed separately from the written exam and must be passed on its own - a strong written result does not compensate for failing it.
Drill this section on its own, with instant scoring and an explanation for every answer.