What the B1 exam looks like – parts, timing and scoring
The B1 exam in Polish for adults consists of a written part and an oral part. The written part lasts no more than 190 minutes and has four modules: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, grammatical accuracy and writing. The oral part lasts no more than 15 minutes. To pass, you must score at least 50% of the points in each module and in the oral part – a high score in one part does not make up for a weak score in another. A mock exam or a trial lesson with a level diagnosis will show which part is your weakest.
The five parts of the B1 exam in one table
Each of the five parts of the B1 exam tests a different skill and is assessed separately. The description of the requirements comes from the regulation on the exams, which sets the standard for the B1 level. If you are just starting, read the guide to the B1 exam first.
| Part | What it tests | Sample texts and situations |
|---|---|---|
| Listening comprehension | the main idea and specific information from recordings at normal speed | a phone call, a simple discussion, a report on an event, an extract from a radio programme |
| Reading comprehension | the meaning of a text, the author's intention, finding information | a notice, a menu, a timetable, a simple form, a press note, a letter, an extract from a story |
| Grammatical accuracy | correct forms in sentences | inflection of nouns and adjectives, aspect, tenses, the conditional mood |
| Writing | an independent text in an official or unofficial style | a formal or informal personal letter, an invitation, a notice, a description, a story, an opinion on a film or book |
| Speaking | fluent, understandable speech and conversation | a talk about experiences and plans, a description, an opinion with reasons, a dialogue in a typical situation |
The written part lasts no more than 190 minutes in total. How much time is allotted to each module is given by the Commission on the exam paper, so you will see the exact breakdown only in the exam room.
The pass mark: 50% in every part
At B1 level for adults, you pass the exam when you have at least 50% of the points in each of the four modules of the written part and in the oral part. The result of each part is calculated as a percentage – the ratio of the points obtained to the points available in that part. The number of points for individual tasks depends on the exam paper, but what decides whether you pass is always the percentage in each part.
| Part | Candidate A | Candidate B |
|---|---|---|
| Listening comprehension | 62% | 85% |
| Reading comprehension | 58% | 90% |
| Grammatical accuracy | 55% | 46% |
| Writing | 60% | 75% |
| Speaking | 65% | 80% |
| Result | passed | failed – grammar below 50% |
Candidate B has a much higher average and still does not pass. That is why it is not enough in your preparation to "improve in general" – you need to find your weakest part and raise it above the threshold. Most often that part is grammar or writing – see which mistakes cost candidates points there.
For comparison: at levels B2, C1 and C2, the pass mark is 60% in each part. In the group for children and young people, at least 50% of the whole written part and 50% of the oral part count.
How the exam day runs
The exam day follows a fixed order: an identity check, the written part divided into modules, and then – on the same or the next day – the oral part.
- Identity check. The chair of the board checks your identity document – the centre tells you which document to bring when you register.
- Instructions. The chair of the board explains how the exam runs, how to fill in the paper and what the consequences of breaking the rules are. You have to sign the paper.
- The modules of the written part. Before each module, the chair announces the start and end times. After each module, the board collects the papers, and the break lasts at least 10 minutes.
- Problems with the paper. If a page is missing from the paper or the recording is damaged, report it at once – the board may suspend the exam until the paper is replaced or the recording is repaired.
- The oral part. It takes place after the written part, on the same day or the next. You draw one set of tasks, and the speaking time is given on the set.
What is not allowed in the exam room
You may not bring into the room any aids or devices that can transmit, receive or record information. You leave your phone, smartwatch and headphones outside the room. During the exam you may not talk to other candidates, and the members of the board do not comment on the tasks or explain them.
For bringing in prohibited materials or devices, communicating with other candidates or disrupting the exam, the chair stops the exam and invalidates it – no matter how well it was going before.
How to pace yourself in the written part
Because every module has to exceed 50%, an "all or nothing" strategy in one part does not pay off. A few rules that help you fit within the time and get over the threshold:
- Listening: before the recording, read the instructions and questions – then you know what information to wait for.
- Reading: first skim the text, then look for details. Do not translate every word.
- Grammar: do not leave any blanks – at the end, check the forms you were not sure about.
- Writing: plan your text in a few points, answer every element of the task and leave a few minutes to check endings and spelling.
How to use this knowledge in your preparation
Knowing the structure translates into concrete decisions about your studies:
- Practise in blocks of time. Almost 190 minutes of written tasks is an effort that cannot be simulated with short exercises – take a full mock exam at least once in conditions close to the session.
- Write by hand. At the exam you write on the paper, and the standard requires legible handwriting and correct spelling, e.g. może (not "moze"), Wielkanoc (with a capital letter).
- Practise speaking with another person. In the oral part you have to answer questions and react on the spot. Even one oral exam simulation shows which topics still need work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a dictionary in the B1 exam?
No. Dictionaries, notes and other aids are prohibited in all parts of the exam – the chair invalidates the exam of anyone who brings them in.
Can I leave the room during a module?
Only in justified cases and with the permission of the chair of the board, who must make sure that you do not contact anyone. If you finish a module early, you hand in your work and leave.
How many points do I need to get in the B1 exam?
The number of points depends on the paper, which is why the regulations speak of percentages: at least 50% in each module of the written part and 50% in the oral part.
Is the oral part always on the same day as the written part?
Not always. It may take place on the day of the written part or the next day – the centre where you register gives the time.
Does spelling affect the writing score?
Yes. The B1 standard includes, among other things, writing Polish letters, using capital and small letters and the basics of punctuation, so spelling mistakes lower the score for a written response.
Sources
- Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education on exams in Polish as a foreign language (Rozporządzenie w sprawie egzaminów z języka polskiego jako obcego), Dz.U. 2025 item 217 – § 12–17, § 19, § 22–23 and Annex 1 (the B1 level standard)
- State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language – certyfikatpolski.pl – information on the exams
A full online B1 exam. A teacher marks your writing and speaking against the State Commission's criteria, and you get a report with recommendations.
See also
- WritingTypes of written text at B1, ready-made phrases for formal and informal letters and a step-by-step writing plan.Read →
- SpeakingHow the oral part runs, the types of speech, rescue phrases and an answer pattern that works for every topic.Read →
- B1 mock examA full timed B1 exam, then the teacher marks your writing and speaking and gives a report on what to improve.199 PLNRead →