How long does Goethe B2 Speaking take?

About 15 minutes as a paired exam or about 10 minutes individually, preceded by 15 minutes of preparation.

How are the points split between the parts?

Part 1 is worth 44 points and Part 2 56 points; the pass mark is 60 of 100.

Can I read out my preparation notes?

No. Notes must be keywords only and serve as a memory aid.

Who grades the speaking exam?

Two examiners grade independently of one another, and the result is the arithmetic mean of both assessments.

Goethe B2 Speaking Format: Timing, Sequence and Grading

Level:B2Duration:~3 h 15 minFee:Varies by centreValidity:UnlimitedFormat:Modular

Last updated: 21 September 2026 · Verified against current official Goethe-Institut sources

The Goethe B2 Speaking module is normally a paired exam lasting about 15 minutes. Most of the score is earned not in the rehearsable presentation but in the improvised discussion.

Sequence of the two parts

Stage	Time	Points
Introductory exchange	about 1 min	not graded
Part 1 – presentation	about 4 min per candidate	44
Part 2 – discussion	about 5 min for both together	56

Part 1: the presentation

You choose one of two topics, describe something, name pros and cons, give examples and state your personal opinion.
Afterwards your partner and one examiner each ask a question, and you ask your partner a question after their presentation.
You speak in the role of a seminar participant and use a (semi-)formal register.
A practical split of the four minutes: about 30 seconds introduction, 3 minutes body, 30 seconds conclusion.

Preparation notes must be keywords only; reading them aloud is not allowed and costs points.

Part 2: the discussion

You discuss a controversial topic with your partner, working from one question and four prompts.
Beyond those prompts you are expected to add ideas of your own and to take a clear position at the end.
You speak as a member of a debating club and use an informal register.
What is really measured is interaction: listening, genuinely responding and keeping the conversation going.

Official grading criteria

Task achievement (Erfüllung der Aufgabenstellung)
Presentation (Vortrag)
Coherence (Kohärenz)
Discussion / interaction
Vocabulary (Wortschatz)
Structures (Strukturen)
Pronunciation (Aussprache)

The introductory exchange is not graded; only Parts 1 and 2 count towards the score.

Official sources

The exam rules and figures in this guide were checked against the official sources below.

Related guide

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Rehearse presentation and discussion separately

Practise B2 presentation and discussion tasks on Zertifly with realistic timing and get feedback on coverage, fluency and pronunciation.