telc Deutsch C2 – Guide: format, scoring & tips
Your guide to telc Deutsch C2: how each part works, how long it takes, how it is scored, and tips for every section.
This month:
Ready to start your practice?
No account needed — start immediately.
This month:
Or Practice a Single Section
Full Exam Structure
Leseverstehen (Reading Comprehension)
40 points 80 min
Leseverstehen (Reading Comprehension)
Reading is the first part of the written telc C2 exam. It has three parts with 25 tasks in total and 40 points. You have 80 minutes for it – a separate block.
Hörverstehen und Schreiben (Listening Comprehension)
40 points 60 min
Hörverstehen und Schreiben (Listening Comprehension)
The Listening-and-Writing part is a special feature of the telc C2 exam: instead of separate listening and writing parts, both are combined. You listen to a longer, demanding text – such as a lecture or feature – and then summarize the key information in writing or transfer it into a given frame. You have 60 minutes for it in total.
Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Written Expression)
40 points 90 min
Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Written Expression)
Written Expression is the part of the telc C2 exam where you produce a demanding text yourself. You write a coherent, well-structured and differentiated text on a given topic – usually an essay, a statement or a commentary. You have 90 minutes and can earn 40 points.
Mündlicher Ausdruck (Oral Expression)
40 points 15 min
Mündlicher Ausdruck (Oral Expression)
Oral Expression – the speaking exam – is the last part of the telc C2 exam. Unlike the lower levels, it’s an individual exam: you speak with the examiner, not with a partner. The exam lasts around 15 minutes; beforehand you get preparation time. In total you can earn 40 points.
Frequently asked questions
How is the telc German C2 exam structured?
It has a written and an oral part. In writing you do reading, the combined listening-and-writing part and the written part. In the oral exam you give a presentation and have an in-depth discussion – the oral exam is an individual exam.
How long does the telc German C2 exam take?
The written part takes around 3 hours 50 minutes in total: 80 minutes reading, 60 minutes listening and writing, and 90 minutes for the written part. The oral exam takes about 15 minutes.
How many points do I need to pass the telc German C2 exam?
At least 72 of 120 points in the written exam and, separately, at least 24 of 40 points in the oral exam – 60 % in each part. Within the written exam the parts offset each other: strong reading can make up for weaker writing. But no written result makes up for an oral exam below 24 points.
What is special about the telc German C2 exam?
C2 is the highest level and certifies near-native command of the language. There is no separate Sprachbausteine part; instead, listening and writing are combined into one part where you process what you’ve heard in writing. The oral exam is an individual exam.
How can I prepare for the telc German C2 exam?
Practice each exam part separately, do full model tests under real time conditions and get feedback above all for writing and speaking. At Prepliq you do realistic mock exams with instant scoring – writing is graded automatically on criteria of Prepliq’s own, speaking with reference to the published assessment criteria.
How much does the telc German C2 exam cost?
Each exam center sets the fee itself – it is not cheap, and anyone who fails pays the full fee again for the next attempt. Ask your telc center directly for the current price and the next dates. A Prepliq model test gives you feedback on every part, so you see where you stand.
What is the difference between telc C1 and C2?
C2 is the highest level and sits above C1: the texts and tasks demand near-native command, grasping implicit meanings as well as very differentiated, stylistically assured writing and speaking.
Ready to start your practice?
No account needed — start immediately.
Or Practice a Single Section
What to expect:
- Exact exam conditions and timing
- Real-time score calculation
- Detailed feedback after completion
- Progress tracking across attempts