German exam day: what to bring and how the day runs
Redaktion · 7 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short
Bring a valid official photo ID. At telc you may only take pens, a sharpener, an eraser, tissues and drinks in clear bottles without a label; your bag, phone and wristwatch are handed in. Arrive early: at telc, anyone who turns up after the briefing has started may not take the exam. At the Goethe-Institut, smartwatches and wristwatches are not allowed either.
What you must bring
- A valid official ID with a photo, such as a passport or national ID card. Your certificate is spelled as in your ID; check the spelling when you register.
- Your registration confirmation or the test centre's invitation, if you received one.
- Pens: telc explicitly allows pencils, other pens, a sharpener and an eraser.
What is allowed and what is not
| telc | Goethe-Institut | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | only in clear bottles without a label | ask your test centre |
| Phone and other devices | hand in before the exam | switched off as required and handed in as the centre directs |
| Wristwatch | hand in | smartwatches and analogue watches may not be worn |
| Bag, jacket | hand in | as the centre directs |
| Dictionary, grammar book, own notes | not allowed | not allowed |
| Jewellery and accessories | no specific rule | no jewellery near the face, no hair jewellery, no scarves, shawls or ties |
How does the day run?
Usually the written exam comes first, as a group, and the speaking exam afterwards or on another day. For the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, reading, listening and writing take about 165 minutes without breaks; the recommended order is reading, listening, writing, but the centre may change it. In telc German B1, reading and Sprachbausteine come first, then a break, then listening and writing. Your test centre gives you the exact schedule.
The speaking exam
Before speaking you get 15 to 20 minutes' preparation, depending on the exam. You can usually take the notes from that preparation into the exam, but not notes you brought from home. At the Goethe-Institut, the speaking examiners are not told your written results.
Checklist for the evening before
- Pack your ID and check it is valid.
- Plan your route and departure time, with a buffer.
- Put out pens, an eraser and a clear water bottle without a label.
- Do not wear a smartwatch or watch; your phone will be handed in.
- Sleep early. Learning something new now does not help.
A full mock exam with real timing is best done the week before, for example telc German B1 or the Goethe-Zertifikat B1. How to use the weeks before is in How to pass the German B1 exam: a four-week plan.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to bring to a telc exam?
A valid official photo ID. Pens, a sharpener, an eraser, tissues and drinks in clear bottles without a label are allowed.
Can I wear a watch to the Goethe exam?
No. Smartwatches and analogue watches may not be worn during the exam.
What happens if I am late for a telc exam?
Under the telc examination rules, anyone who arrives after the briefing has started may not take the exam.
Are there breaks between the Goethe B1 modules?
The implementation regulations give about 165 minutes for reading, listening and writing without breaks. Whether and when there are breaks is set by the test centre.
Can I use a dictionary?
No, neither at telc nor at the Goethe-Institut. Dictionaries and grammar books count as unauthorised aids.
Sources
- telc gGmbH: examination rules for telc exams, in force from 15.04.2025 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- Goethe-Institut: examination regulations, as of 1 September 2025 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- Goethe-Institut: Goethe-Zertifikat B1, implementation regulations, as of 1 September 2025 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
