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telc C1 Hochschule: writing and speaking
telc C1 Hochschule Exam: Scoring and Pass Mark
How many points you need, what 350 words means and how writing is scored. Write your text and get an honest assessment against the telc criteria. We also assess your speaking — plus reading and listening in the exam format.
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Quick answer
The telc C1 Hochschule tests academic German (CEFR C1) across 5 sections: Reading, Language Elements, Listening, Written Expression and Oral Expression. You pass from 60% in the written block overall (with compensation within the written parts) and 60% in the oral part - the two are graded separately.
M
Margarita Votteler
Experienced TestDaF / DSH / Goethe / telc C1 examiner since 2009
How GermanExamPro works
70 min
Exam duration
min. 350
Words
Good (172–192,5)
Target level
written at least 99 of 166, oral at least 29 of 48, overall at least 128 of 214 points
To pass
The two parts you can't grade yourself
Whether your text and your speaking are enough, you otherwise only learn on exam day.
AI imageAI imageSpeaking
You get a task and speak your answer into the microphone. With time like in the exam.
In telc C1 Hochschule you first present on your own, then talk with the other candidate. We assess your presentation, not yet the conversation.
Reading and listening: You practise with tasks like in the exam, also as a full mock exam. You see right away what is correct.
Exam format: telc C1 Hochschule writing
In the writing section you produce one science-oriented text: you take a position on two short, contrasting statements (Erörterung). There is no reading text and no graph; you choose between two topics. Working time 70 minutes.
1
One task (choice of 2 topics): discursive essay — take a reasoned position on two short, contrasting statements (min. 350 words)
telc Points scoring levels
How your performance in telc C1 Hochschule is graded
Very Good (193–214)
of 214 points (overall)Excellent academic writing competence
Good (172–192,5)
of 214 points (overall)Good academic writing skills
Goal for university admission
Satisfactory (151–171,5)
of 214 points (overall)Sufficient competence for university studies
Sufficient (128–150,5)
of 214 points (overall)Passed - minimum score reached
Not Passed (0–127)
of 214 points (overall)Academic level not achieved
Evaluation criteria
This is how examiners grade your text
1
Task Achievement
12 ptsComplete processing, both statements addressed, own reasoned position, scientific orientation
2
Accuracy
12 ptsGrammar, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation
3
Variety of words and sentences (Repertoire)
12 ptsVariety in vocabulary and structures, academic language
4
Structure and logical flow (Kommunikative Gestaltung)
12 ptsText structure, a clear line of thought, fits the reader and the type of text
Practice topics for telc C1 Hochschule
Our own practice tasks, built like the real exam. Nobody knows in advance which topic comes up on exam day.
Studieren ohne Abitur
Künstliche Intelligenz im Studium
Klimaschutz an der Hochschule
Englischsprachige Studiengänge
Leistungsdruck im Studium
Click a topic to practice with your Agent →
AI imageHow GermanExamPro helps you
Honest like the exam. And practice until it is enough.
Every criterion on its own
Content, structure, vocabulary and grammar: you see where you stand.
telc Points scoring
You see roughly which telc Points level your text reaches.
Practice with your Agent
Your agent practises exactly your weak spots with you. Until you pass.
Jump right in
Write a text. Your agent shows you honestly whether it is enough.
Avoid common mistakes
These mistakes cost you points
Risk no. 1: off topic = 0 points
The AI checks whether your text fits the task. You see it right away.
Task Processing
Only one of the two statements addressedNo reasoned position of your ownTopic missed
Address both statements, take a clear position, and support it with arguments.
Structure & Logical Flow
No clear structureMissing linking words like „deshalb“ or „jedoch“Well under 350 words
Clearly structure introduction, argumentation, and conclusion; min. 350 words.
Academic Style
Personal pronouns used excessivelyColloquial languageShort, simple sentences
Write objectively without „ich“ (e.g. „Es zeigt sich, dass …“), use passive voice and complex structures.
Frequently asked questions about telc C1 Hochschule writing
Is telc C1 Hochschule the same as the general telc Deutsch C1 exam?
No. telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule is the university-admission variant with science-oriented tasks. The general telc Deutsch C1 has no university focus. For study admission, German universities usually require the Hochschule variant.
How does telc C1 Hochschule differ from Goethe C1?
telc C1 Hochschule is specifically designed for the academic context and contains more science-oriented tasks.
Is the test accepted at German universities?
The framework regulation (RO-DT 2025, § 8 para. 2) exempts telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule from the DSH. Which proof a university requires for admission is set by the university itself.
How long is the certificate valid?
How long a proof is recognised is decided by each university. Check the admission rules of your target university.
Free
Free downloads for telc C1 Hochschule
Templates and checklists as PDF
Printable practice exam
Full practice exam telc C1 Hochschule
Every exam part as on exam day, with an answer section and a reason for every answer. Audio files online.
€5.25 incl. VAT (Germany) · PDF, 37 pages
See the bookletUnofficial practice material, not from the exam provider. Sold via Gumroad.
Official information:
Explore telc C1 Hochschule in depth
Answers to the most common questions.
Does the 60-percent rule apply per section?
Why the 60% applies to the written block as a whole - not per section - and how compensation works within the block.
Mehr erfahren
Written Expression: the 350-word count explained
Why exactly 350? What happens below 280 or above 400 words? Answered by an experienced examiner.
Mehr erfahren
The 4 grading criteria in the writing part
Task appropriateness, accuracy, variety of words and sentences (Repertoire), structure and logical flow (Kommunikative Gestaltung) - what examiners look for in each criterion and where points are lost.
Mehr erfahren
Articles about telc C1 Hochschule
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