A lot of people really dread the writing part of an official CEFR exam, and since it comes at the end of the entire written exam (following the reading, grammar and listening parts), it requires a strong final push in energy after a long slog.
The positive parts of the B1 TELC German exam are as follows:
- You only have to complete one task, which always has the same format
- You can use a lot of the same vocabulary over and over again
You only have 30 minutes to complete the writing task – so there’s no time to waste.
In this post, I’m sharing the mark scheme in English and my free cheat sheet to make mastering the writing section faster and less stressful. Whether you’re still dreading it or already feel confident, these tools will sharpen your strategy and help you write like a pro on exam day.
For the full lowdown on what’s involved in the B1 German TELC exam, read my Everything you need to know about the B1 TELC German exam post.
Mark scheme
The email you write in the exam will be evaluated against 3 criteria:
- Task completion: was each bullet point addressed in a meaningful manner and was the answer comprehensible?
- Text organisation: is the text structured, logical and coherent, and is the level of formality appropriate to the original email?
- Formal accuracy: do errors impede the fluent comprehension of the text’s content?
You can find more information about the writing mark scheme on pages 37-38 of the official TELC Übungstest PDF.
Downloadable word mat
Want to print my word mat for your exam preparation?
Download my free writing exam word mat PDF and get:
- 1-page PDF
- Formal and informal phrases for opening/introductions, giving and requesting information, expressing wishes and more
Master the B1 TELC writing exam with my word mat
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Check your work
There are two ways I recommend you get your work corrected, if you don’t have a fluent speaker to hand:
a) Lang Correct
On Lang Correct you can submit short pieces of writing, and have natives correct your work for free. Here’s an example of a short corrected piece in German.
b) Language Tool
Language Tool is useful for when you’re ready to self-correct. Simply type directly into the window, or paste your text into it. The programme then displays your errors and categorises them (red for spelling errors, yellow for other errors).
Learning to spot your own errors and correct them yourself is a key part of perfecting your writing.
Final thoughts
My best advice for the writing exam is: “don’t say what you want to say, say what you can say.” A simple email that is grammatically accurate is much better than a more complex letter littered with errors.
My cheat sheet is designed to take the guesswork out of your writing and help you stay calm and focused on exam day. Use it regularly in your practice, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your writing becomes clearer, more confident, and more exam-ready.
If you found any of my cheat sheet and mark scheme useful, please like and share this post!
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