In brief
- The B1 certificate exam for adults has a written part (up to 190 minutes) and an oral part (up to 15 minutes).[1],[2]
- The written part has 4 modules: listening, reading, grammar (poprawność gramatyczna) and writing, 30 points each; speaking is worth 40 points.[2],[3]
- To pass you need at least 50% of the points in each written module and 50% in the oral part.[5],[1]
- The fee for the B1 exam for adults is at most €150; each centre sets its own amount. The certificate costs the złoty equivalent of €20 on top.[6],[5]
- In 2026 the B1 exam for adults runs 5 times: 14–15 February, 25–26 April, 27–28 June, 17–18 October and 5–6 December.[7]
- A B1 certificate is needed, among other things, for recognition as a Polish citizen and for the EU long-term resident permit. It never expires.[12],[13],[5]
Who needs a B1 certificate
A foreigner applying to be recognised as a Polish citizen (uznanie za obywatela) must know Polish at B1 level or higher, shown by a certificate or a Polish school certificate (art. 30(2) of the Polish Citizenship Act).[12]
The EU long-term resident permit requires, among other things, 5 years of legal residence and Polish at B1 level or higher (art. 211 of the Act on Foreigners).[13]
B1 is the most popular level: 21,830 adults sat it in 2025, out of 27,518 candidates at all levels. The number grows every year.[10]
Format of the B1 exam for adults
| Module | Time (official table) | Time on the June 2024 paper | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rozumienie ze słuchu | 25 min | do 30 min | 4–5 | 30 |
| Rozumienie tekstów pisanych | 45 min | 40 min | 4–5 | 30 |
| Poprawność gramatyczna | 45 min | 45 min | 8 | 30 |
| Pisanie | 75 min | 75 min | 3 | 30 |
| Mówienie (oral exam) | up to 15 min | – | 3 tasks; the candidate draws 1 of 3 sets | 40 |
The official table gives 25 minutes for listening and 45 for reading; the June 2024 paper printed “up to 30 minutes” and “40 minutes”. The written part lasts up to 190 minutes in total.[2],[3]
Modules and task types (June 2024 paper)
Listening: 5 tasks, 30 points
- 14 short utterances played only once: choose a/b/c (0.5 points each).
- 6 dialogues played twice: choose a/b/c (1 point each).
- An interview with 5 a/b/c questions, a conversation with 6 TAK/NIE statements, and 5 people to match with 6 opinions (1 point each).
Reading: 5 tasks, 30 points
- 5 short texts with an a/b/c question, and a text with 6 TAK/NIE statements.
- A text with 7 gaps to fill with fragments A–H (one is extra).
- 7 questions to match with answers A–H, and 10 gaps where you pick the right word (0.5 points each).
Grammar: 8 tasks, 30 points
- Choosing the right form of nouns, adjectives and pronouns (10 gaps), comparatives (5) and verb aspect and mood (10).
- Conjunctions and prepositions from a box (5 gaps each, one word extra).
- Typing verb forms in the present and past (10 gaps), questions about the underlined part of a sentence (5), and rewriting sentences with a given word (5, 1 point each).
- The exam standard allows 8–11 tasks, with 0.25 to 1 point per operation.[4]
Writing: 75 minutes, 30 points
The candidate chooses 1 of 3 sets and writes both texts: a short one (30–40 words, e.g. a text message, an ad, an invitation) and a longer one (160–170 words, e.g. an e-mail or an essay). Marking: task completion 10 points, range of language 10, accuracy 10.[3]
Scoring and pass mark
Written part: 4 modules of 30 points, 120 in total. Oral part: 40 points.[2]
Pass mark for B1 adults: at least 50% of the points in each written module and 50% in the oral part, in practice 15/30 per module and 20/40 in speaking. One weak module means a fail.[5],[1]
After a fail you can sit the exam again at the next session. The certificate never expires.[5]
How much the exam costs
Each centre sets the fee, but it may not exceed €150 for B1 adults.[6]
The certificate costs the złoty equivalent of €20; it is issued within 30 days of receiving the exam report and the fee.[6],[5]
B1 session dates (adults)
Official dates for 2026 and 2027:[7],[8]
- 14–15 February 2026
- 25–26 April 2026
- 27–28 June 2026
- 17–18 October 2026
- 5–6 December 2026
- 6–7 February 2027
- 10–11 April 2027
- 12–13 June 2027
- 2–3 October 2027
- 27–28 November 2027
You register at the centre you choose; the list of centres appears about 2 months before each session, when registration opens.[9] Exam registration (official site)
Changes from 1 January 2027
The amendment to the Polish Language Act (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 676) takes effect on 1 January 2027. The State Commission stays in place, with NAWA providing its support office.[14]
From 2027 the maximum fee for B1 adults is 7% of the average wage in the third quarter of the previous year, and the certificate costs 100 zł. A new ministerial regulation will define the modules; it had not been published on the date checked.[14]
How to prepare
- Learn the format: each task has a fixed type, and knowing the instructions saves time.
- Take timed tests and count points per module: the 50% line applies to each one.
- Practise grammar by typing the forms, not only by choosing them: in the exam part of the answers must be written by you.
- Use the free past papers that the State Commission publishes as well.
FAQ
How many points do I need to pass the Polish B1 exam?
At least 50% in each of the 4 written modules (15 of 30 points) and 50% in the oral part (20 of 40 points).
How much does the Polish B1 exam cost?
Each centre sets its fee, but for adults at B1 it may not exceed €150. The certificate costs the złoty equivalent of €20 on top (100 zł from 2027).
When is the B1 exam in 2026?
14–15 February, 25–26 April, 27–28 June, 17–18 October and 5–6 December 2026.
Is a B1 certificate enough for Polish citizenship?
For recognition as a Polish citizen the law requires Polish at B1 level or higher. Confirm the requirements for your case with the voivodeship office.
How long is the written exam?
Up to 190 minutes: listening, reading, grammar and writing (75 minutes). The oral exam takes up to 15 minutes.
Does the certificate expire?
No, the certificate is valid indefinitely.
Sources
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Struktura egzaminu (poziomy, czas, moduły, próg zaliczenia)
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Kto może zdawać egzamin (struktura egzaminu B1: czas, liczba zadań, punkty)
- Państwowa Komisja – arkusz egzaminacyjny B1, czerwiec 2024 (testy z poprzednich lat)
- Państwowa Komisja – standard B1, poprawność gramatyczna (typy zadań)
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Najczęściej zadawane pytania (próg, opłaty, ważność, termin certyfikatu)
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Opłaty za egzamin
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Terminy sesji egzaminacyjnych w 2026 roku
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Terminy sesji egzaminacyjnych w 2027 roku
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Rejestracja na egzamin
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Statystyki (liczba zdających według poziomów)
- certyfikatpolski.pl – Przykładowe testy (bezpłatne arkusze, nagrania i klucze)
- Ustawa o obywatelstwie polskim, art. 30 ust. 2 (uznanie za obywatela: znajomość języka polskiego co najmniej B1)
- Ustawa o cudzoziemcach, art. 211 (pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE: znajomość języka polskiego co najmniej B1)
- Ustawa z 30 kwietnia 2026 r. o zmianie ustawy o języku polskim (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 676), w mocy od 1 stycznia 2027 r.
Polski B1 Prep is independent and is not a product of the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (Państwowa Komisja) or of NAWA. This page summarises official sources; if in doubt, what the Commission and the authorities publish prevails.