German B2 reading: a time plan for telc and Goethe
Redaktion · 7 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short
In telc German B2 you have 90 minutes for reading and Sprachbausteine together; telc suggests 15, 20 and 20 minutes for the three reading parts and 15 and 20 for the Sprachbausteine. In Goethe B2 you have 65 minutes: 18, 12, 12, 12 and 6 minutes for the five parts, plus 5 to transfer answers. Checking the clock per part gets every task done.
telc German B2: 90 minutes for five parts
| Part | Task | Points | Suggested | Points per minute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leseverstehen 1 | match 5 headings | 25 | 15 min | 1.7 |
| Leseverstehen 2 | 5 questions with three options (detailed reading) | 25 | 20 min | 1.25 |
| Leseverstehen 3 | 10 situations to 12 adverts | 25 | 20 min | 1.25 |
| Sprachbausteine 1 | 10 gaps, three words each | 15 | 15 min | 1.0 |
| Sprachbausteine 2 | 10 gaps, 15 words in a box | 15 | 20 min | 0.75 |
The numbers show: reading earns more points per minute than the Sprachbausteine. A correct answer in reading parts 1 and 2 is worth 5 points, a Sprachbausteine gap 1.5. Getting stuck on the gaps and then running out of time for reading part 3 costs a lot.
Goethe B2: 65 minutes for five parts
| Part | Task | Tasks | Suggested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen 1 | forum posts by four people, match statements | 9 | 18 min |
| Lesen 2 | magazine article, insert missing sentences | 6 | 12 min |
| Lesen 3 | newspaper article, three options each | 6 | 12 min |
| Lesen 4 | match short opinions to headings | 6 | 12 min |
| Lesen 5 | match paragraphs of a set of rules to a contents page | 3 | 6 min |
| Transfer | answers onto the answer sheet | 5 min |
In Goethe B2 every correct task counts the same, and you pass with 18 of 30 correct. Part 1 has the most tasks, so it also gets the most time. Part 5 is short, but the rule texts are dense: key words from the headings help.
Five rules for reading time
- Tasks first, then the text. You read with a purpose when you know what you are looking for.
- Do not try to understand every word. For matching tasks, the topic of a paragraph is often enough.
- Write a target time for each part, for example "10:15 part 2 done". You notice early if you are too slow.
- Mark doubtful tasks and move on. Come back at the end with a fresh mind.
- Leave nothing blank. Wrong answers cost no extra points.
How to practise this
Do at least two complete reading sections with a timer and without breaks. The first time, just measure how long each part takes you; the second time, keep to the suggested minutes. You can practise under real timing for telc German B2 and the Goethe-Zertifikat B2. The whole telc exam is explained in telc German B2: pass mark and format.
Frequently asked questions
How much time is there for reading in telc B2?
90 minutes for reading and Sprachbausteine together. telc suggests 15, 20 and 20 minutes for the three reading parts.
How much time is there for reading in Goethe B2?
65 minutes: 18, 12, 12, 12 and 6 minutes are suggested for the five parts, plus 5 minutes to transfer answers.
Do I have to keep to the suggested times?
No, they are suggestions. In telc B2 the 90 minutes cover reading and Sprachbausteine together, and you decide how to divide them.
Which telc B2 reading part is worth the most?
The three reading parts are worth 25 points each, the Sprachbausteine 15 each. Per task, reading parts 1 and 2 are worth most, 5 points each.
How many reading tasks must be correct in Goethe B2?
At least 18 of 30. That gives 60 points, the pass mark for the module.
Sources
- telc: Übungstest 1 telc Deutsch B2 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- telc: exam preparation tips Deutsch B2 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- Goethe-Institut: sample test Goethe-Zertifikat B2, adults (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
