The C1 exam in Polish

Who takes the C1 exam

The C1 exam is chosen by people who use Polish every day in demanding work and want to confirm it with a document. These are most often specialists – doctors, lawyers, teachers, translators, researchers, managers – and people who plan studies or work requiring very good knowledge of the language. The regulations on citizenship, EU long-term resident status and studies require lower levels (B1 or at least B2), so C1 is usually a choice, not an obligation. If you need a lower level, read our guides to the B1 exam and the B2 exam.

What level C1 requires

The exam standard describes C1 as understanding all non-specialist texts and – without major difficulty – specialist texts related to the candidate's interests. At this level what counts is precision, richness of vocabulary and matching style to the situation.

In practice you can hear the difference in the details. At B2 it is enough to say To jest ważny problem; at C1 you are rather expected to say To zagadnienie ma kluczowe znaczenie dla… or an apt idiom, e.g. To woda na młyn przeciwników tej reformy.

The same thought at B1, B2 and C1

The easiest way to understand the difference between levels is to compare how the same person expresses the same opinion. All three versions are correct – they differ in precision, syntax and choice of words.

At C1 the Commission pays attention not only to whether the statement is understandable, but also to whether it is precise, well organised and stylistically matched to the situation.

What the C1 exam looks like

The C1 exam has the same structure as B1 and B2, but a longer oral part and a high passing threshold in every part.

How to register for the exam and what fee limits apply at the other levels, you can read in our guide to fees and registration.

Dates of sessions with level C1

Level C1 is available only in some sessions, so it is worth planning the exam date well in advance.

It is already too late for the session of 17–18 October 2026 – the centre must register the candidate in the State Commission's database no later than a month before the exam. A realistic date for people who are starting preparation now is April or November 2027. You will find sessions for all levels in the exam calendar.

A C1 certificate without an exam

Since 9 June 2026 a graduate of second-cycle or long-cycle master's studies listed in the Polish Language Act can receive a C1 certificate without an exam, and a person with a doctoral degree – a C2 certificate. Before you register for the exam, check whether you are entitled to a certificate without an exam.

How to prepare for C1

Preparation for C1 is very individual: each candidate has different strengths and a different field in which they use Polish. That is why individual lessons work best, in which we build the programme around your weaker parts.

• Writing: argumentative texts, a speech, an official letter – with careful correction of style, not only of mistakes.
• Speaking: discussion of abstract topics, a comment on a quotation or text, paraphrasing when you are missing a word.
• Grammar: constructions less often used in everyday speech, e.g. anterior adverbial participles (przeczytawszy) and sentence equivalents.
• Reading and listening: opinion journalism, specialist texts from your field, programmes with discussion.

If you work in a business environment, part of the material can be combined with the business Polish course – meetings, presentations and correspondence are good practice for formal style. We will decide where you should start at a trial lesson.