The DTZ Exam Explained: Format, Scoring, the A2/B1 Split
The DTZ (Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer) is Germany’s integration-course exit exam, jointly developed by telc and the Goethe-Institut on behalf of BAMF. Its most distinctive feature: it has no fail state. You’re certified at either A2 or B1, whichever level your actual performance demonstrates — there’s no way to “fail” it outright, only to end up certified at a lower level than hoped.
Who can actually take it
Unlike Goethe or telc exams, the DTZ generally requires completing a state-funded Integrationskurs first — it’s specifically designed as that course’s exit exam, not a standalone, independently bookable test. If you’re learning German outside that system, the DTZ typically isn’t accessible to you, regardless of your actual level.
The speaking exam structure
The DTZ speaking component runs roughly 15–20 minutes, in a paired format, with three parts:
Teil 1: Über sich sprechen (about 4 minutes). You’re given a card with six prompts — typically covering name, place of birth, current residence, work or occupation, family, and languages spoken. You speak for roughly a minute using these prompts, then the examiner asks one follow-up question.
Teil 2: Ein Bild beschreiben (describing a picture, connected to personal experience). You’re shown an image related to everyday life and asked to describe it, then connect it to your own experience or situation.
Teil 3: Gemeinsam planen (planning something together). Similar in spirit to Goethe B1’s Aufgabe 1 — you and your partner plan something jointly, such as a trip or arranging a gift for a colleague, with the examiner able to offer support if the conversation stalls.
What “no fail state” actually means in practice
This is the DTZ’s defining feature, and it changes the psychology of the exam meaningfully. Every other major German exam — Goethe, telc — has a pass/fail threshold you’re measured against. The DTZ instead assesses your actual demonstrated level across all four skills and certifies you accordingly: strong enough performance across the board earns a B1 certificate; a solid but less complete performance earns A2 instead.
Multiple practical guides describe this as producing a genuinely less adversarial exam atmosphere — examiners are documented as actively supporting candidates who are struggling, since the goal is accurately assessing your actual level, not catching you out against a fixed bar.
Why this matters if you’re deciding whether to prepare intensively
Since there’s no “failing,” the calculation around exam-day pressure is different from Goethe or telc. Underperforming on exam day doesn’t mean starting over — it means being certified at A2 instead of B1, which you can then work to upgrade later, often without needing to retake the entire exam depending on your specific course provider’s process.
This doesn’t mean preparation matters less — a B1 certificate genuinely opens more doors than an A2 one, particularly for citizenship — but it does mean the DTZ is a lower-stakes environment to walk into than a strict pass/fail exam.
Whether you’re aiming to demonstrate B1 rather than settle for an A2 result, real speaking practice on exactly these task types — introducing yourself, describing something, planning together — is what closes that gap. SipLingo runs voice conversations built around real scenarios like these, with corrections in your own language. Try it free →
How the DTZ compares practically
Cost is typically bundled into your Integrationskurs fees rather than charged separately, unlike Goethe or telc where you pay per exam attempt. Scheduling is usually handled by your course provider as part of the programme’s natural progression, rather than something you book independently at a test centre of your choosing.
Practise your German out loud with SipLingo, free to try on iPhone and Android:
A fuller look at Teil 3 in practice
A representative Gemeinsam planen exchange, in the spirit of official DTZ practice materials:
Prüfer: Ein Kollege hat morgen Geburtstag. Planen Sie gemeinsam, was Sie machen können. Kandidat A: Wir könnten einen Kuchen kaufen. Kandidat B: Gute Idee, und vielleicht auch eine Karte unterschreiben. Kandidat A: Ja, genau. Wer kauft den Kuchen?
Notice the structural similarity to Goethe B1’s planning task — negotiation, suggestion, agreement — even though the DTZ’s overall scoring philosophy (no fail state) differs meaningfully from Goethe’s pass/fail modules.
Typical timeline within an Integrationskurs
A standard Integrationskurs runs around 700 total teaching units (including both the general language course and a supplementary orientation course on German society and law), typically completed over several months to about a year depending on pace and whether it’s a general or intensive course. The DTZ is taken at the end of this process, meaning your preparation for it is largely built into the course itself rather than requiring separate, independent exam-specific study the way Goethe or telc preparation typically does.
Related guides: Goethe vs telc vs ÖSD vs DTZ compared
Official sources
For the official details and the latest updates, see:
- BAMF: BAMF: integration course final exam (DTZ + Leben in Deutschland) – DTZ format and B1 certificate; Life in Germany test: 33 questions, pass marks
- Goethe-Institut: Integration course system and the DTZ (Goethe-Institut) – How the DTZ works as the integration course exam, certifying A2 or B1
Frequently asked questions
What is the DTZ exam? The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer, Germany’s exit exam for the state-funded Integrationskurs, jointly developed by telc and the Goethe-Institut on behalf of BAMF. It certifies candidates at either A2 or B1 based on demonstrated performance, with no formal fail state.
Can I take the DTZ without an Integrationskurs? Generally no — it’s specifically designed as that course’s exit exam and typically requires completion first. If you want a B1 certificate without taking a course, Goethe or telc are the accessible independent options.
What happens if I don’t reach B1 on the DTZ? You’re certified at A2 instead, not failed outright. There’s no formal “fail” result — only a lower certified level than you may have been aiming for.
Is the DTZ harder or easier than Goethe A2/B1? Neither, strictly — they test similar underlying competency. The DTZ’s no-fail structure and its integration-course context make it feel less high-stakes for many candidates, even though the language content itself is comparable.
How is the DTZ speaking exam structured? Three parts, roughly 15–20 minutes total, in a paired format: introducing yourself using six prompts, describing a picture and connecting it to your own experience, and planning something together with your partner.
Aim for B1, not just A2, with real speaking practice on the exact task types the DTZ uses. SipLingo scores you on word accuracy, grammar, fluency and intonation. A1 to B2.
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