DTZ and telc B1 Listening: 12 Practical Tips to Pass the Listening Test on the First Try

Most people who fail the Hören section have a sufficient level of German to pass it successfully. The problem is not the language, but the unfamiliar format.

You don’t know when to listen carefully and when you can relax. You get anxious and miss key words. This article will fix that.

April 5, 2025 · 8 min read

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Contents

• Structure of the Hören section: what to expect
• Teil 1 — Phone calls and public announcements
• Teil 2 — Media messages
• Teil 3 — Everyday dialogues
• Teil 4 — Different opinions on one topic
• General strategies for all parts
• 5 common mistakes and how to avoid them
• How to practice at home
• Frequently asked questions

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1. Structure of the Hören section: what to expect

The Hören section is the first part of the written DTZ exam. It lasts about 25 minutes and consists of 4 parts and 16 tasks in total.

You get 1 point for each correct answer. The Hören results are not a passing barrier by themselves, but together with other sections determine your overall level — A2 or B1.

DTZ Hören structure (official g.a.s.t. format)

Part	What you listen to	Task type	Number	Listenings
Teil 1	Phone calls, public announcements	Multiple Choice (a/b/c)	4	1 time
Teil 2	Short messages (radio/TV)	Multiple Choice	5	2 times
Teil 3	Everyday dialogues	richtig/falsch + Multiple Choice	8	2 times
Teil 4	Discussion	Zuordnung	3	2 times

Important: all answers must be transferred to a separate answer sheet (Antwortbogen).

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2. Teil 1 — Phone calls and public announcements

In the first part you hear 4 short audio recordings: answering machine, announcement, message, or voicemail.

Main feature: the recording is played only once.

Strategy

• Tip #1: read the questions BEFORE listening.
• Tip #2: listen for numbers, time, place, actions.
• Tip #3: don’t be afraid of unfamiliar words.

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3. Teil 2 — Short messages in media

5 audio recordings in the format of news or announcements. Each recording is played twice.

Strategy

• Tip #4: first listening — general content, second — verification.
• Tip #5: pay attention to negations (nicht, kein, nie).

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4. Teil 3 — Everyday dialogues

4 dialogues + 8 tasks. Format: richtig/falsch + Multiple Choice.

Strategy

• Tip #6: first read all tasks.
• Tip #7: look for exact matches.
• Tip #8: eliminate wrong options.

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5. Teil 4 — Different opinions on one topic

Discussion with several participants. You need to determine who said what.

Strategy

• Tip #9: memorize the speakers before listening.
• Tip #10: use the “none” option.

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6. General strategies

• Tip #11: transfer answers immediately.
• Tip #12: don’t leave any blanks.

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7. Five common mistakes

1. Trying to understand every word
2. Choosing the first “plausible” answer
3. Ignoring reading time
4. Panicking after missing something
5. Lack of practice in exam format

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8. How to practice at home

Weeks 1–2

Develop listening skills (DW, podcasts, news)

Weeks 3–4

Learn the format (Übungssatz g.a.s.t.)

Weeks 5–6

Practice tests and error analysis

On DeutschMeister you will find DTZ format exercises with audio, timer, and checking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Hören last?

About 25 minutes.

How many times is the audio played?

Teil 1 — 1 time, others — 2 times.

Are points deducted?

No, wrong answers are not penalized.

Where to find materials?

gast.de or DeutschMeister.

What is the minimum score for B1?

Depends on the overall result across all sections.

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Summary

Hören is not a test of language knowledge, but a test of understanding the format and strategy.

Regular practice = a high chance to pass the exam.