telc C1 Hochschule scoring: pass mark 99/166 and 29/48
Last updated: 11 November 2026 · Checked against the official exam documents
telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule has two separate pass lines: the written exam (Leseverstehen, Sprachbausteine, Hörverstehen, Schriftlicher Ausdruck) needs at least 99 of 166 points, the oral exam (Mündlicher Ausdruck) at least 29 of 48. This guide shows what each part is worth, how Schreiben and Sprechen are scored and what realistic results look like, so you can see where points are cheapest to win.
Points per part at a glance
The 166 written points are spread over four parts, and items are not all worth the same. Every Leseverstehen item and every item in Hörverstehen Teil 2 and Teil 3 counts 2 points; Sprachbausteine gaps and Hörverstehen Teil 1 items count 1 point.
| Part | Aufgaben | Per item | Max. points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leseverstehen Teil 1 – Textrekonstruktion | 1–6 | 2 | 12 |
| Leseverstehen Teil 2 – selektives Verstehen | 7–12 | 2 | 12 |
| Leseverstehen Teil 3 – Detailverstehen + Makroaufgabe | 13–24 | 2 | 24 |
| Sprachbausteine | 25–46 | 1 | 22 |
| Hörverstehen Teil 1 – Zuordnung | 47–54 | 1 | 8 |
| Hörverstehen Teil 2 – Radiosendung | 55–64 | 2 | 20 |
| Hörverstehen Teil 3 – Vortrag mit Notizen | 65–74 | 2 | 20 |
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck – Erörterung | 1 text | 4 criteria × 12 | 48 |
| Written exam total | – | – | 166 (pass: 99) |
In practice: one wrong answer in Leseverstehen Teil 3 costs as much as two Sprachbausteine gaps. In Hörverstehen Teil 3 the gaps are scored by keyword groups, so the examiners look for the right piece of information, not a full sentence.
99 of 166: how compensation works
The written exam is judged as one total. There is no separate pass mark for Leseverstehen, Sprachbausteine, Hörverstehen or Schriftlicher Ausdruck, so a weak part can be balanced by a strong one. Three example candidates:
Candidate A scored only half the points in Hörverstehen but passed the written exam comfortably thanks to a strong Leseverstehen. Candidate B has no disastrous part and still misses the line by 3 points. Candidate C passes exactly on the line. That is why you should train for a few points above 99, not for 99 itself: nerves and unfamiliar topics move scores on exam day.
| Candidate | Leseverstehen /48 | Sprachbausteine /22 | Hörverstehen /48 | Schriftl. Ausdruck /48 | Total /166 | Written result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 40 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 104 | Passed |
| B | 30 | 12 | 26 | 28 | 96 | Not passed |
| C | 34 | 15 | 30 | 20 | 99 | Passed (on the line) |
Ergebnis berechnen · Original exercise 1
Lesen Sie die Punkte einer Kandidatin und entscheiden Sie.
Hat die Kandidatin die Prüfung bestanden?
Zertifly created these original tasks from the official task formats; they are not past exam questions.
How Schriftlicher Ausdruck is scored
The Erörterung is assessed with four criteria. Each gets level A, B, C or D, worth 12, 8, 4 or 0 points. There are no in-between values; the maximum is 48.
The task asks for at least 350 words. A short text does not automatically get 0, but length counts under Aufgabengerechtheit. If the text misses the topic (Thema verfehlt), all four criteria get D, which means 0 points. A text written entirely in capitals or entirely in lower case drops one level in Korrektheit.
| Criterion | What it looks at | A / B / C / D |
|---|---|---|
| Aufgabengerechtheit | Doing the task: dealing with both statements (Aussagen), justifying your own position, required length | 12 / 8 / 4 / 0 |
| Korrektheit | Grammar and spelling accuracy | 12 / 8 / 4 / 0 |
| Repertoire | Range of vocabulary and structures | 12 / 8 / 4 / 0 |
| Kommunikative Gestaltung | Structure, linking, fitting academic register | 12 / 8 / 4 / 0 |
Schriftlicher Ausdruck · Original exercise 1
Ein Text wurde so bewertet (A = 12, B = 8, C = 4, D = 0 Punkte je Kriterium).
Wie viele Punkte erhält der Text?
Zertifly created these original tasks from the official task formats; they are not past exam questions.
Mündlicher Ausdruck: 48 points, pass 29
Two examiners assess the oral exam. 16 of the 48 points depend on the tasks (Aufgabengerechtheit); 32 are given for your language across the whole oral exam. Every criterion is scored in levels A/B/C/D.
Teil 1B is often underestimated: you summarise what struck you in your partner's presentation and ask at least one follow-up question, and this step alone is worth 4 points. In Teil 2 you say how you understand a quote, how far you agree, give reasons and examples, and react to your partner.
| Criterion | Applies to | Max. points |
|---|---|---|
| Aufgabengerechtheit Teil 1A | Präsentation (about 3–4 min) | 6 |
| Aufgabengerechtheit Teil 1B | Zusammenfassung und Anschlussfragen | 4 |
| Aufgabengerechtheit Teil 2 | Diskussion (6 min) | 6 |
| Flüssigkeit | Whole oral exam | 8 |
| Repertoire | Whole oral exam | 8 |
| Grammatische Richtigkeit | Whole oral exam | 8 |
| Aussprache und Intonation | Whole oral exam | 8 |
| Total | – | 48 (pass: 29) |
Ergebnis berechnen · Original exercise 1
Lesen Sie die Punkte eines Kandidaten und entscheiden Sie.
Welche Aussage ist richtig?
Zertifly created these original tasks from the official task formats; they are not past exam questions.
What this guide deliberately leaves open
How grades are shown on the certificate, whether you can retake only one part, how long a result is accepted and the deadlines for appeals are set out in the telc Prüfungsregularien and your exam centre's terms. These rules can change, so we do not quote numbers for them here.
- If you passed only the written or only the oral part, check your options in the current telc Prüfungsregularien and with your exam centre.
- If your university sets a specific result or date requirement, confirm it with its admissions office.
- Compare score tables you find online with the official Handbuch: the 166/99 and 48/29 lines come from the current official documents.
Estimate your own score with Zertifly
The most reliable estimate comes from doing the parts under exam timing and adding up your points with the table above. On Zertifly, Leseverstehen, Sprachbausteine and Hörverstehen are scored automatically; Schriftlicher Ausdruck and Mündlicher Ausdruck are scored /48 by AI along the official criteria. Free accounts include a small number of AI evaluations.
Each list's Simulation tab gives you a timed run under exam conditions. It is a Pro feature: with a free account you see what it contains and an upgrade option.
Official sources
The exam rules and figures in this guide were checked against the official sources below.
Related guide
See your score before the exam
Work through every part in the exam format with Zertifly's telc C1 Hochschule lists and compare your results with the 99/166 and 29/48 lines.