Deutsch-Test für den Beruf (DTB) explained: the 144 of 240 B2 pass rule, the one weak skill you can carry, and who runs the exam

There are four: A2 and B1 close the specialised courses, B2 and C1 close the basic courses.

Only course providers that BAMF has authorised as DTB exam centres can run them. telc says plainly that the DTB is not part of the licence of an ordinary telc exam centre, and that telc's own exam regulations do not apply to it.

The DTB is not telc's general job-focused exam. telc warns that the two are not identical and need separate licences. If a job or an authority names one, do not assume the other will do.

Our reading: if you are not in a Berufssprachkurs, ask a provider whether it can register you before you plan around this exam. telc's page says you can check dates there, and that a published date does not mean places are free.

The total is 240 points: 60 each for reading, listening, writing and speaking.

To pass you need 60% overall (144 points) and at least three of the four skills above 60% (36 points). One skill can be weaker if it lands between 40% and 60%.

Our reading: 40% of 60 is 24 points. So a candidate with 24 in one skill is not out, as long as the others are above 36 and the total reaches 144. That means the three strong skills must make up 120 points between them, an average of 40 of 60 each.

Written: 125 minutes. Reading 45, reading and writing 20, listening 20, listening and writing 5, language elements and writing 35.

Oral: about 16 minutes, in pairs. Part 1 is a short talk on a topic with examiner questions (about 2 minutes each for talk and questions, per candidate), part 2 is talking with colleagues (about 3 minutes), and part 3 is discussing solutions (about 4 minutes).

Tasks are mixed. Reading and listening each have 20 items at 3 points, and some of them sit inside tasks that also feed the writing score.

The language-elements items carry little. There are 12, at half a point each: 6 of the 60 writing points. The final writing task's content is worth 14, and 27 of the 60 writing points are for cross-task criteria. Speaking is similar: 30 of its 60 points are cross-task criteria.

You get a certificate or a results sheet. Within three months of it you may look at your own answer sheet; telc's DTB page explains how to apply.

telc's page publishes the exam dates for 2026 and 2027. We did not find a price or a validity period on the pages we read, so ask your course provider about both.