TELC B1 Schreiben (Schriftlicher Ausdruck) is graded out of 45 points. Two licensed raters mark your text on three criteria: Aufgabenbewältigung, Kommunikative Gestaltung, and Formale Richtigkeit. Each criterion gets a level from A to D, worth 5, 3, 1 or 0 points. The sum (maximum 15) is multiplied by 3 to give your score out of 45.
Knowing the rubric lets you write for points, not prose.
The task in 30 seconds
You receive a short email with four content points (Leitpunkte) below it. In 30 minutes, write a reply that:
- Addresses every Leitpunkt
- Uses the right register (informal du or semi-formal Sie)
- Shows B1 grammar range (connectors, past tense, modal verbs)
See letter templates and our Writing pillar guide.
The three grading criteria
| Criterion | What counts | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Aufgabenbewältigung (task completion) | How many Leitpunkte you handle adequately | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| II Kommunikative Gestaltung (communicative design) | Salutation, closing, structure, linking, fitting tone | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| III Formale Richtigkeit (formal accuracy) | Grammar, vocabulary, spelling | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
The three ratings add up to a raw maximum of 15, which is multiplied by 3 to give 45 points. There are no in-between scores: each criterion is worth 5, 3, 1 or 0.
I. Aufgabenbewältigung (Task completion)
This criterion depends on how many of the four Leitpunkte you handle adequately:
| Leitpunkte handled | Level | Points |
|---|---|---|
| All 4 | A | 5 |
| 3 | B | 3 |
| 2 | C | 1 |
| 1 or none | D | 0 |
If your text misses the topic completely (Thema verfehlt), you get D on all three criteria, which means 0 points for the whole task.
Tip: Map Leitpunkte to paragraphs. One paragraph per Leitpunkt = zero missed points.
II. Kommunikative Gestaltung (Communicative design)
Covers structure, salutation, closing, and flow:
- Correct opening (Sehr geehrte Frau Müller, / Liebe Anna,)
- Logical paragraph order
- Appropriate closing (Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Viele Grüße)
- Text functions as a real email, not a list of sentences
Tip: Use connectors: Außerdem, Deshalb, Trotzdem, Deswegen.
III. Formale Richtigkeit (Formal accuracy)
Grammar, vocabulary, spelling:
- B1 structures: weil/dass clauses, Konjunktiv II, passive, Präteritum
- Vocabulary fit for the topic (complaint, invitation, information request)
- Few errors that impede understanding
Tip: One Konjunktiv II and one passive sentence signal B1 competence — see Konjunktiv & Passiv guide.
How the two ratings work
Two licensed raters mark each script. The scores are not averaged: the second rating overrides the first, so the second rater's levels decide your result.
Full exam scoring context: 300-point system.
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FAQ
Is there a required word count?
The official practice test states no word count. What is rated is whether you handle all four Leitpunkte, not how long the text is. As a rough guide only, a few sentences per Leitpunkt plus salutation and closing fits comfortably in 30 minutes.
Formal or informal — how do I know?
The task specifies the relationship. When in doubt, semi-formal Sie is safer for unknown recipients.
Can AI grading match real examiners?
AI mirrors the three-criterion rubric closely enough for practice feedback; final scores always come from certified TELC examiners.