DTZ Writing: Tips Preparation for the Exam · DTZ / telc B1
Exam preparation · DTZ / telc B1
DTZ Schreiben: tips
30 minutes. One letter. 20 points. The Schreiben section is the most predictable part of the DTZ: the task always has the same structure, the assessment criteria are known in advance, and typical mistakes repeat from exam to exam. If you know the rules — these are your easiest points on the exam.
CONTENTS
- Task format: what to expect
- 4 assessment criteria (official)
- Letter structure step by step
- How to properly address Leitpunkte
- Useful phrases for the letter
- 5 typical mistakes
- Distribution of 30 minutes
- Frequently asked questions
1. Task format: what to expect
The Schreiben section is the third part of the written exam. You have 30 minutes for it. The task is one: write a semi-formal or formal letter in response to a received letter or announcement. Maximum score — 20 points.
On the task sheet there will be: an incoming letter or announcement-trigger and 4 Leitpunkte — four mandatory points that must be addressed in the reply. Your letter must cover all four.
⚠ The form includes a choice of task A or B — choose one and indicate on the form which one. If not marked — this may affect the acceptance of your work.
2. 4 assessment criteria (official)
Your letter is checked by two licensed examiners according to four criteria. Each criterion — maximum 5 points, total up to 20 points. For level B1 you need 15–20 points, for A2 — 7–14 points.
I
Aufgabenbewältigung — task fulfillment
The most important criterion. It evaluates whether you have fully and accurately addressed all 4 Leitpunkte. If all 4 are clearly addressed — maximum 5 points. Each unaddressed or unclear point lowers the score.
II
Kommunikative Gestaltung — coherence and structure
Is there a logical structure in the letter? Do you use conjunctions (weil, deshalb, aber, außerdem)? Does the letter look like a single text, not just a collection of sentences?
III
Korrektheit — grammar and spelling
Grammar constructions, declensions, word order, punctuation, spelling are evaluated. A perfect letter is not required — a few mistakes are allowed if they do not hinder understanding.
IV
Wortschatz — vocabulary
Variety of words, avoidance of excessive repetition, use of thematically appropriate B1-level vocabulary. The same word 5 times in a row — bad.
| Criterion | B1 good (5) | B1 (4) | A2 good (3) | A2 (2) | A1 (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Inhalt | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| II Komm. Gestaltung | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| III Korrektheit | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| IV Wortschatz | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
3. Letter structure step by step
Every letter in the DTZ must have a clear structure. Here is the canonical form you should use:
A
City and date (top right corner)
München, den 5. April 2025
B
Salutation
Sehr geehrte Frau Müller, / Liebe Anna,
Sehr geehrte/r — for formal letters. Liebe/r — for semi-formal (acquaintances, colleagues).
C
Introductory paragraph — reason for the letter
vielen Dank für Ihre Anfrage / Ich schreibe Ihnen wegen...
D
Main part — all 4 Leitpunkte
Each Leitpunkt — at least one or two sentences. Use conjunctions between points: Außerdem, Des Weiteren, Ich möchte auch fragen, ob...
E
Closing phrase
Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort. / Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
F
Signature (name)
Ihr/Ihre [Vorname Nachname]
4. How to properly address Leitpunkte
Tip: practise what you've just read with interactive exercises — it sticks better.
Start B1 exercises →Leitpunkte are the heart of the task. All 4 points must be addressed clearly and unambiguously. If the examiner is not sure whether you addressed a point — it is considered unaddressed.
- Read all 4 Leitpunkte before writing. Understand exactly what is required from you. Question? Request? Explanation? Proposal? Each point requires its own language register.
- Each Leitpunkt — separate sentences, not just a word. “Termin” — is not addressed. “Ich möchte gerne einen Termin vereinbaren. Ist der 10. April möglich?” — fully addressed.
- Follow the order of Leitpunkte. Address them in the order they are given in the task. This helps the examiner and improves the letter’s logic.
- Don’t invent unnecessary things. Write only what relates to the Leitpunkte. Long digressions about the weather or general reflections take time and do not earn points.
5. Useful phrases for the letter
BEGINNING OF THE LETTER
- vielen Dank für Ihren Brief
- ich schreibe Ihnen bezüglich...
- mit großem Interesse habe ich...
CONNECTING POINTS
- Außerdem möchte ich fragen, ob...
- Des Weiteren wäre es wichtig...
- Ich würde auch gerne wissen...
REQUEST / QUESTION
- Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen...
- Ich bitte Sie, mir zu schreiben...
- Ich wäre Ihnen dankbar, wenn...
ENDING THE LETTER
- Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort.
- Mit freundlichen Grüßen
- Viele Grüße (semi-formal)
6. 5 typical mistakes
- Missing one or more Leitpunkte. The most costly mistake — automatically lowers the score for criterion I. Before submitting the form, reread the letter and check each point.
- Missing salutation or signature. Without “Sehr geehrte...” and signature — the letter looks unfinished. This lowers the score for Kommunikative Gestaltung.
- Letter too short. If each Leitpunkt is addressed with one word — the examiner does not count it as “fulfilled.” Minimum 1–2 full sentences per point.
- Confusing formal and informal style. “Lieber Herr Müller” — incorrect. “Sehr geehrter Herr Müller” — correct for an unfamiliar person. Look at the situation in the task.
- Not marking task A or B on the form. The Schreiben form has a field “Welche Aufgabe haben Sie bearbeitet? A / B”. Be sure to fill it out.
7. Distribution of 30 minutes
| 0–5 min | Reading the task, planning |
| 5–20 min | Writing the letter |
| 20–27 min | Checking, corrections |
| 27–30 min | Transferring to the clean copy |
⚠ Be sure to leave 3–5 minutes for checking. Check: are all 4 Leitpunkte addressed? Is there a salutation and signature? Is A or B marked on the form?
8. Frequently asked questions about DTZ Schreiben
How much time is given for Schreiben in DTZ?
30 minutes are allocated for the Schreiben section. You need to write one letter covering all 4 Leitpunkte. The optimal length is 80–120 words.
What criteria are used to assess the letter in DTZ?
The letter is assessed by 4 criteria, each with a maximum of 5 points: I — Aufgabenbewältigung (addressing all 4 Leitpunkte), II — Kommunikative Gestaltung (coherence), III — Korrektheit (grammar), IV — Wortschatz (vocabulary). Maximum 20 points. For B1 you need 15–20 points.
What are Leitpunkte in the DTZ Schreiben task?
Leitpunkte are 4 mandatory points that must be addressed in the letter. Each missed or unclearly addressed point lowers the score for the first criterion. All 4 points must be addressed with full sentences.
How many words should be written in DTZ Schreiben?
There is no official minimum word count. Practically, the optimal length is 80–120 words. Very short letters risk not addressing all Leitpunkte. Very long letters take time and increase the risk of grammatical errors.
Summary
Schreiben is the most “controlled” part of the DTZ. The format does not change, the criteria are known, the letter structure is fixed. Your task: address all 4 Leitpunkte with full sentences, follow the letter structure, and check your work before submitting.
On DeutschMeister you can write letters and get instant AI feedback on all 4 DTZ criteria — with specific comments on each point.
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