TELC Polish Language Exam.
Everything you need to know!

Table of Content:

1. Why is it worth taking the TELC exam in Polish?
2. Structure of the TELC Exam in Polish as a Foreign Language
3. The oral portion of the TELC exam
4. How many points do you need to score on the exam to receive a TELC certificate?
5. Who is eligible to take the TELC exam in Polish?
6. Where can I take the TELC exam in Polish, and how much does it cost?
7. Preparing for the TELC Polish Exam – What Should You Keep in Mind?

Many students consider the TELC Polish language exam to be a more accessible and practical alternative to traditional state certification exams. It places a strong emphasis on practical communication, which for many people simply makes it easier to pass.

A TELC certificate is a powerful asset on your resume. It is widely recognized by:

• Educational institutions (numerous universities and colleges),

• Employers and corporations,

• International organizations.

So if you’re thinking about applying for a scholarship, participating in an exchange program (such as Erasmus), or simply want to formally demonstrate your language skills in the job market, TELC is the perfect choice!

Important: If you need the certificate for government purposes (e.g., to obtain Polish citizenship), make sure to check exactly what documents the relevant institution requires—government agencies usually ask for a state-issued certificate.

One exam, two options: the innovative B1/B2 format

A major advantage of the TELC Polish language exam is its two-level structure (B1/B2). What does this mean in practice?

You take a single test that assesses your language skills across two proficiency levels according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale. Depending on how many points you earn, you’ll receive a certificate at the B1 (lower intermediate) or B2 (upper intermediate) level. This takes a huge amount of pressure off you—the certificate you receive will simply and accurately reflect your current level!

Don’t put off your language learning plans! Open the door to a career and international scholarships. Join our prep course and pass the TELC exam with ease.

👉 Check the upcoming exam dates!

The TELC exam focuses on practical skills, which is why it consists of two main parts: a written section and an oral section.

The written section lasts a total of 115 minutes and is divided into four modules. This structure allows for a thorough and comprehensive assessment of your language skills. What exactly can you expect?

• 🎧 Listening Comprehension (approx. 25 min) We’ll test how well you understand spoken language! You’ll listen to recordings (once or twice) based on everyday situations. Your task will be to answer questions, fill in the blanks, or select the correct answers.

• 📖 Reading Comprehension (approx. 40 min) You’ll work with texts of varying lengths—from short announcements to more extensive articles. The tasks assess two things: whether you can understand the general meaning of the text and whether you can efficiently extract specific, detailed information from it.

• 🧩 Language Elements: Grammar and Vocabulary (approx. 20 min) No more dry rules! This module tests your knowledge of grammar in a practical context. You’ll receive short, coherent texts (e.g., emails or letters) with gaps. Your task will be to select or match the correct grammatical form or the missing word.

• ✍️ Writing (approx. 30 min) In this section, you choose one of the two available topics and write your own essay. This module tests what is most important in written communication: the ability to express your thoughts clearly, logically, and coherently in situations taken directly from everyday life.

After a short break following the written portion, it’s time for what many find to be the most stressful part—the oral exam. But don’t worry—telc has an ace up its sleeve! You’ll take part of the oral exam with another candidate, which feels more like a natural conversation than a stiff Q&A session.

Before you enter the exam room, you’ll have 20 minutes to calmly prepare for the tasks based on the exam booklet. The interview itself lasts about 16 minutes and is divided into three practical modules that assess how well you handle everyday communication:

• 🗣️ Conversation about experiences (exchange of opinions) Let’s start with something to warm things up! Your task will be to describe the situation shown in the picture (taken straight from everyday life) and to answer questions related to it spontaneously. This is a great opportunity to show that you can express your opinions freely.

• 🎤 Short Presentation In this section, you have your “five minutes.” Choose one of the two available topics and prepare a short presentation. You don’t have to speak from memory! On the exam sheet, you’ll find guiding questions and visual aids that you can use to help you smoothly get through this stage.

• 🤝 Joint Discussion (Exchange of Ideas) In the final module, you’ll interact directly with your exam partner. You’ll discuss a chosen topic and exchange opinions and arguments. Here, the exam panel evaluates not only your vocabulary but, above all, your ability to carry on a natural conversation and respond to what the other person is saying.

To pass the exam, you must score at least 50% of the total points. And this is where the biggest advantage of the two-level format comes into play! Your final score will determine exactly what appears on your certificate:

• 📈 High score? Are you happy with your B2certificate.

• 📉 A slightly lower score (but above 50%)? You’ll receive a certificate at the B1.

It’s an extremely safe and motivating solution. Even if you don’t do quite as well on the day of the exam, you still have a great chance of earning official certification of your skills (at the B1 level), instead of coming home empty-handed!

Tip: Remember that your final grade depends on the total points from both the written and oral sections. Make sure to prepare equally for both of these areas!

A 100% digital certificate—delivered instantly to your email!

We have great news! Starting in 2026, telc has switched to modern, 100% digital certificates. What does this mean for you? First and foremost— no more long waits!

As usual, you’ll have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the official results, but as soon as they’re approved, you’ll receive your certificate directly via email as a secure PDF file. You can keep it with you at all times on your phone, quickly attach it to a job application email, or post it on LinkedIn. If an employer or university wants to verify its authenticity, all they need to do is scan the special QR code on it!

Don’t get left behind in the job market—get a certificate that opens doors!

A major advantage of telc certificates is that they are open to everyone, regardless of age. The lack of age restrictions means that the test is popular among both adults looking to advance their careers and young people who need an official document to gain admission to their dream university in Poland without stress.

To make it easier for different age groups to take the exam, telc offers the exam in two tailored versions:

• 🎓 General Course (for adults and older teens): Focuses on common situations in everyday life, the workplace, and social settings. Ideal for college applicants and working professionals.

• 🎒 “School” Edition (for younger students): This is an absolute hit among teenagers learning Polish as a foreign language! The difficulty level and test format remain exactly the same, but the topics of the tasks, texts, and conversations are 100% tailored to the world of young people. It revolves around school, hobbies, friends, and peer relationships, which makes it much easier for young people to express themselves freely!

The price of the TELC Polish language exam is not set by a central authority— each licensed test center sets its own price.

If you’re planning to take the exam in Kraków, we invite you to VARIA Polish Language Center! As an official TELC partner, we administer exams on-site in a friendly and stress-free atmosphere.

What happens after you pass the test? We have great news for you: the TELC certificate is completely free! The cost of generating your official digital PDF document is already fully included in the exam fee. You don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or additional administrative costs.

Are you ready to confirm your level of Polish? Take this important step for your career and education. Find out when our next exam session in Kraków will be held.

👉 Check the current dates and pricing for TELC exams at Centrum Varia!

Made your decision? Great! But before you take the exam, make sure your Polish is up to the challenge. What should you pay special attention to?

• 🧠 Vocabulary and grammar (minimum B1): These are your absolute foundation. Fluency in grammatical structures and a rich vocabulary are the keys to success, especially in the “Language Elements” module and during the oral portion.

• 🇵🇱 Familiarity with Polish culture: Although the telc exam is not a test of historical knowledge, a basic understanding of Polish traditions, culture, and everyday customs makes it much easier to understand the texts on the exam and helps you carry on a conversation more naturally.

Preparing on your own can be difficult, which is why a professional Polish language course is the best investment for guaranteed results.

Under the guidance of qualified instructors from Centrum Varia, you’ll quickly identify your strengths and weaknesses. Together, we’ll practice all types of exam tasks in a mock setting, discuss the most common mistakes, and test your skills in mock conversations—so nothing will catch you off guard on exam day!

Do you have any questions? We’re here for you!

Not sure if your language proficiency is high enough yet? Wondering if the TELC exam is really the right choice for you? Leave it to us. As an official TELC Test Center, we offer expert advice and experience.

👉 Contact us—we’ll be happy to answer all your questions!