German B1 grammar: the topics the exam actually tests
Redaktion · 8 October 2026 · 2 min read
In short
Only telc Deutsch B1 tests grammar in a separate part, the Sprachbausteine: 20 gaps worth 30 of 300 points. Across 100 grammar gaps in our telc B1 practice sets, the top topics were verb forms (25), articles, pronouns and case (21), connectors and question words (21) and prepositions (16). Goethe and ÖSD mark grammar inside writing and speaking instead.
Where grammar counts in B1
| Exam | Separate grammar part? | Where grammar shows |
|---|---|---|
| telc Deutsch B1 | yes: Sprachbausteine, 20 gaps, 30 of 300 points | also in writing and speaking |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | no | writing and speaking |
| ÖSD Zertifikat B1 | no | writing and speaking |
What the grammar gaps test: 100 gaps counted
| Topic | Gaps (of 100) | Examples of the correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| Verb forms: tense, person, modal verbs, Konjunktiv II, passive, infinitive with zu | 25 | würde, Hätten Sie …, ich war, ich muss, zu machen |
| Articles, pronouns, case | 21 | Ihre (possessive), mir, uns, mich (sich freuen) |
| Connectors and question words in clauses | 21 | ob (5 times), weil (4), wie (3), dass, deshalb, obwohl |
| Prepositions, also fixed with a verb | 16 | seit, ab, per, sich freuen auf, im Voraus |
| Adjective endings and comparison | 7 | ein neues Handy, ein kleines Zimmer, so … wie |
| Relative pronouns | 5 | die, den, dessen, deren |
| Adverbs, negation, word order | 5 | nicht, immer, möglichst |
Five things to revise first
- Indirect questions with ob and question words: "Ich möchte wissen, ob …", "Können Sie mir sagen, wie …?". The verb goes to the end.
- Possessives and pronouns in the accusative and dative: Ihre, Ihren, Ihrem; mich or mir.
- Polite Konjunktiv II: "Hätten Sie Zeit?", "Ich würde gern …". It appears in almost every letter.
- Prepositions with a fixed case: seit and mit take the dative, für takes the accusative.
- weil, dass, obwohl versus deshalb: after weil the verb goes to the end, after deshalb it comes straight next.
How the gap part works and how to time it: telc B1 Sprachbausteine tips. Grammar in your letter: telc B1 writing. A four-week plan: German B1 study plan. Practice sets: telc Deutsch B1.
Frequently asked questions
What grammar do I need for the German B1 exam?
Most often verb forms (tenses, modal verbs, Konjunktiv II), articles and pronouns in the right case, connectors and indirect questions, and prepositions.
Does the Goethe B1 exam have a grammar section?
No. Goethe-Zertifikat B1 has reading, listening, writing and speaking. Grammar is marked inside writing and speaking.
How many points is grammar worth in telc B1?
The Sprachbausteine bring 30 of 300 points: 20 gaps at 1.5 points each.
Is the passive needed for B1?
It appears, but rarely: once or twice in our 100 gaps. Verb tenses, modal verbs and the polite Konjunktiv II come up far more often.
Sources
- telc Deutsch B1, practice test 1 (PDF), checked 8 October 2026
- telc: Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1, checked 8 October 2026
