telc B1 Writing Assessment Criteria: How the 45 Points Work
Last updated: August 2026 · 8 min read
The telc Deutsch B1 writing task is worth 45 points. Markers assess Aufgabenbewältigung, Kommunikative Gestaltung and Formale Richtigkeit separately. Each receives A, B, C or D, and the raw total is multiplied by three.
The scoring table
| Criterion | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Aufgabenbewältigung | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| II Kommunikative Gestaltung | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| III Formale Richtigkeit | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
telc multiplies the sum of the three raw scores by three.
Criterion I: task achievement
Four appropriately covered prompts earn A, three earn B, two earn C, and one or none earns D. A prompt can be fulfilled in one short sentence if it is understandable and relevant.
If the text has little or no connection to the writing occasion, it is Thema verfehlt and all three criteria receive D. A wrong situation alone can reduce Criterion I to D while the language criteria are still marked.
Criterion II: communicative design
Markers assess text type, address, register, vocabulary range, connectors and logical flow. The required text is a personal or semi-formal email; sender, recipient, date and subject line are not required.
An incorrect or shifting du/Sie register, disconnected prompts, or starting most sentences with Ich or Wir prevents an A.
Criterion III: formal accuracy
Grammar, spelling and punctuation matter, but the official principle gives priority to comprehensibility. Systematic errors can still fall within B1 if the text remains quick to understand.
When reviewing a draft, rate the effect of each error, not just the count. Fix meaning-blocking problems such as subject–verb agreement, verb position and tense confusion first.
Official sources
Dates, timings, scores and procedures were checked against the primary sources below.
Related telc B1 guides
Learn by practising the telc B1 format
Practise reading, listening, writing, speaking and Sprachbausteine in exam format on Zertifly.