Listening (Hörverstehen) tests whether you understand spoken German – in three parts, all as true/false tasks. Here are the structure, strategy and exercises for each part.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Practice the same format you’ll see on exam day, get your score against official criteria, and see where you still need work.
Free to try · No account needed
Key takeaways
Listening is the third part of the written telc B1 exam. You hear different texts – news, conversations, announcements – and decide for each statement whether it is true or false. In total that’s 20 tasks and 75 points in three parts. You have around 30 minutes for the whole listening section.
At its core, it’s not about understanding every word but about grasping the meaning. The texts are played once or twice depending on the part. It gets tricky because the statements are usually paraphrased: the audio says it differently than the task. If you only listen for single words, you fall for the distractors.
The three parts call for three listening styles: in Part 1 you grasp the main idea of short texts (gist), in Part 2 you listen closely to a longer text (detail), in Part 3 you listen for specific information in short announcements (selective). Always read the statements before the audio starts.
The true/false format is clear – the hurdle is speed: you can’t rewind freely. Very doable if you read the statements first and practice a little.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Gist (T/F) | True/False | Gist listening | 5 | 25 |
| Part 2 – Detail (T/F) | True/False | Detail comprehension | 10 | 25 |
| Part 3 – Selective (T/F) | True/False | Selective listening | 5 | 25 |
Before each part you get time to read the statements. Use it: mark the key words so you can listen for them on purpose.
The right answer depends on the meaning, not on a single word. Often the audio says the same thing in different words than the task.
Don’t get stuck on one statement. Make a decision and keep listening – otherwise you miss the next piece of information.
If a text is played twice, use the second time to check your answers and fill the gaps you left open the first time.
There’s no penalty for wrong answers. When unsure, decide – guess true or false.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your +/− answers in good time, ideally right after each part.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Free to try · No account needed
In listening you’ll meet typical spoken texts:
The audio texts revolve around everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for them:
Read this guide and do a first official listening practice test with audio – no pressure, just to understand the structure.
Practice grasping the main idea of short audio texts. Listen to short news items and sum them up in one sentence.
Listen to a longer text (interview, report) and focus on details. Practice spotting paraphrases.
Practice listening for specifics in announcements: when, where, how much? Read the statements first and listen for the key words.
Listen to short German audio every day (e.g. slowly spoken news) and get used to the speaking speed.
Work through all three parts with audio in one go and transfer your +/− answers to an answer sheet.
Re-listen to the spots of your mistakes: what did you miss or misunderstand? Review your weakest part specifically.
Three parts with 20 tasks in total, all true/false: Part 1 (gist, 5), Part 2 (detail, 10) and Part 3 (selective, 5).
You can earn 75 points in listening. It therefore contributes a large share of the written exam.
All tasks are true/false statements. On the answer sheet you mark plus (+) for true and minus (–) for false.
It depends on the part: some texts are played once, others twice. On a second play you should check your answers.
The audio files belong to the official practice test; telc offers them as MP3. We don’t host audio – use the official practice test or practice listening with a Prepliq mock.
Listen to short German audio every day and work through full listening mock tests under time. At Prepliq you practice listening with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring.
Yes, you may take notes on the task sheet. Only the answer sheet is graded, though – transfer your answers in good time.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
Free to try · No account needed