Polish state exam at B1: five parts, a written part of up to 190 minutes
B1 is a paper of its own with separate registration, not an easier B2. Here: what it is made of, how long it runs and how it differs from B2.
What the B1 paper is made of
| Part | Points |
|---|---|
| Listening | 30 pts |
| Reading | 30 pts |
| Grammar | 30 pts |
| Writing | 30 pts |
| Speaking | 40 pts |
How B1 differs from B2
The points and the length of the texts are printed on the paper. The ranges come from past papers.
| B1 | B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bar in every part | 50% | 60% |
| Written part | up to 190 min | up to 250 min |
| Oral part | up to 15 min | up to 15 min |
| Points per written part | 30 pts | 40 pts |
| Short text | 25–60 words | 30–150 words |
| Long text | 140–175 words | 150–270 words |
Next sittings at B1
- 17 – 18 October 2026B1 · C1 · C2
- 5 – 6 December 2026B1
- 6 – 7 February 2027B1 · B2
- 10 – 11 April 2027B1 · B2 · C1
The Commission announces the dates for adults. You register at a centre that runs the sitting — not every centre runs every one. As of 19 September 2026. certyfikatpolski.pl — session dates
Who sits B1
B1 is the level a citizenship application and the EU long-term residence card ask for. For citizenship only the state certificate counts; for the residence card telc is accepted too — confirm the requirement with the office handling your case.
B1 papers to practise on
The library holds 14 B1 papers from past sittings — the same tasks, recordings and answers.
State exam sample tasksCommon questions
How long is the B1 exam?
The written part runs without a break, up to 190 minutes. The oral part is a separate meeting with the examiners, up to 15 minutes.
How many points do you need at B1?
At least 50% in every part: 15 out of 30 points in each written part and 20 out of 40 in the oral one. The total saves nothing: one part below the bar and the whole sitting is failed.
Is B1 an easier part of the same exam as B2?
No. It is a separate paper with separate registration. You register for one level and sit that level's paper — unlike telc, one sitting does not come back as B1 or B2 depending on the score.
One B1 paper is open without a card
Start with one part, or with the whole paper against the clock.