Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 (DTB): format, points, pass mark
Redaktion · 7 October 2026 · 4 min read
In short
The Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 has 240 points, 60 each for reading, listening, writing and speaking. You pass with at least 144 points (60 percent) and at least 36 points in three of the four skills. The fourth can be weaker but not below 24 points. The written exam takes 125 minutes, speaking about 16.
What is the German Test for the Workplace?
The Deutsch-Tests für den Beruf (DTB) are the final exams of the BAMF's job-related language courses (Berufssprachkurse), run by telc. The DTB B2 is general workplace German: it does not require any particular profession, and the situations come from everyday work in many sectors, such as customer emails, minutes, phone notes and meetings. Typical tasks ask you to pass on what you read or heard to someone else.
What is the DTB B2 format?
| Part | What you do | Tasks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen 1 to 4 | find job-market information, understand instructions, match forum posts, understand meeting minutes | 1 to 18 | 45 min |
| Lesen und Schreiben | understand a complaint and reply in writing | 19 to 21 | 20 min |
| Hören 1 to 4 | conversations, a presentation and phone messages, each heard once | 22 to 40 | 20 min |
| Hören und Schreiben | understand a customer's phone call and write a phone note | 41 to 45 | 5 min |
| Sprachbausteine und Schreiben | two business letters with gaps, then a forum post on one of two topics | 46 to 58 | 35 min |
| Sprechen | talk about a topic, answer questions, talk with colleagues, discuss solutions, in pairs | about 16 min, no preparation |
The written exam takes 125 minutes in total. Unlike many other exams, there is no preparation time before speaking. You hear every recording only once.
What is the DTB B2 pass mark?
Each skill counts the same: 60 points for reading, listening, writing and speaking, 240 in total. According to telc, two conditions apply at once: 60 percent of the total (144 points) and at least 36 points in three of the four skills. A weaker skill is balanced out if it lies between 40 and 60 percent, that is between 24 and 36 points.
| Example | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 42 | 39 | 30 | 45 | 156 | pass: three skills at 36 or more, writing at 30 is above 24 |
| B | 54 | 48 | 21 | 45 | 168 | fail: writing below 24 |
| C | 42 | 33 | 30 | 42 | 147 | fail: only two skills at 36 or more |
How are reading and listening scored?
Every correct reading or listening task is worth 3 points. Reading has 20 tasks (1 to 20) and listening also 20 (22 to 41). So 36 points means 12 correct out of 20, and the 24-point floor means 8.
What changes in 2027?
From 1 May 2027 the DTB runs only digitally, on the DIGItelc 2.0 platform. telc describes content and marking as unchanged; what is new is working on screen. More in telc exam on computer.
How to prepare
- Time your reading: 45 minutes for 18 tasks. The meeting minutes in part 4 are the longest text.
- Practise listening without repeats, especially the phone message you turn into a note in tasks 42 to 45.
- Practise the complaint email and the forum post: together they bring most of the 60 writing points.
- Practise speaking without preparation: you get the topic and start at once, for about two minutes.
You can practise the whole DTB B2 under real timing here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the DTB B2?
At least 144 of 240 points, plus at least 36 of 60 in three of the four skills. The fourth skill needs at least 24 points.
How long is the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2?
The written exam takes 125 minutes, the oral pair exam about 16 minutes without preparation time.
How often do you hear the recordings in the DTB B2?
Each recording only once, including the phone message in the listening and writing part.
Do I need a particular profession for the DTB B2?
No. According to telc it requires no specific professional qualification; the tasks come from general working life.
Will the DTB become digital?
Yes, from 1 May 2027 it runs only digitally on the DIGItelc 2.0 platform.
Sources
- BAMF/telc: Modelltest Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 (Übungstest 1, 2020), points and pass mark pp. 49 to 50 (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- telc: Übungstest 2 Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2 (2022), test format (PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- BAMF/telc: Prüfungshandbuch Deutsch-Tests für den Beruf A2, B1, B2 und C1 (2021, PDF), checked 7 October 2026
- telc: Deutsch-Tests für den Beruf (DTB) digital, checked 7 October 2026
