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Polish B1 exam

Everything worth knowing before the state B1 certificate exam: its parts, how long it takes, the score you need, how to register and what the certificate is for. Based on Polish law, with sources at the bottom of the page.

As of 16 October 2026

What the B1 certificate is for

The certificate is issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (Państwowa Komisja). It is most often needed in two procedures.

  • Recognition as a Polish citizen

    You need to prove Polish at B1 level or higher: with the certificate, or with a school certificate from Poland or from a school abroad taught in Polish. Since 1 July 2025 a post-secondary school (szkoła policealna) certificate no longer counts.

    Art. 30(2) and (2a) of the Polish Citizenship Act

  • EU long-term resident permit

    You need to prove Polish at B1 level or higher. Besides the state certificate, the office also accepts ECL and TELC certificates, some university certificates, and school or university diplomas from studies taught in Polish. People under 16 are exempt.

    Art. 211(1)(3), (3) and (4) of the Act on Foreigners

The law changes. Before you apply, check the requirements with the office that handles your application.

What the exam consists of

The exam has a written and an oral part. To pass, you must pass each module separately, so it pays to practise all of them.

Written partup to 190 min in total

  1. Listening

    You listen to recordings and complete tasks about them.

  2. Reading

    You read texts and answer questions.

  3. Grammar

    You choose or write the correct word forms.

  4. Writing

    You write your own texts, for example a notice, an invitation or a text on a general topic.

Oral partup to 15 min

Speaking

You draw a set of tasks and speak in front of the examiners.

  • The time for each written module is printed on the exam sheet.
  • There is a break of at least 10 minutes between written modules.
  • The oral part takes place on the same day as the written part or the next day.

The score you need to pass

at least 50% in every module

At B1 you need at least 50% of the points in each module of the written part and at least 50% in the oral part. A very good result in one module does not make up for a weak result in another.

Each module's result is the percentage of the points available in that module.

Dates, registration and fee

  1. The State Commission announces the schedule of exam sessions. Centres authorised to run the exam publish their dates within 14 days of the schedule being announced.

  2. You sign up at the centre of your choice and pay for the exam. The centre must register you no later than a month before the exam, so don't leave it to the last minute.

  3. The centre sets the fee. Until the end of 2026, for adults at B1 it may not exceed the equivalent of 150 euro.

  4. You get your result in writing within 3 days of the centre receiving the exam report. Within 21 days you can ask to see a copy of your exam work.

Session schedule and list of centres on the State Commission's website

What changes on 1 January 2027

The maximum fee for the B1 exam will be 7% of the average wage in the third quarter of the previous year, and issuing the certificate will cost 100 zł.

How to prepare

  • Take at least one full practice exam with the time limit. You'll see how you feel after several hours of writing.
  • Practise every module. Since each one must be passed on its own, your weakest part is where you gain the most.
  • Write short everyday texts: emails, notices, invitations, opinions. Get them checked and fix the mistakes you keep repeating.
  • Speak out loud: talk about your experiences, plans and opinions. In the exam you speak in front of examiners, so it helps to get used to it.
  • Register for the exam early. The centre must register you no later than a month before the exam date.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Polish B1 exam?

The written part takes up to 190 minutes in total and has four modules, with breaks of at least 10 minutes. The oral part takes up to 15 minutes and is held on the same day or the next day.

What score do you need to pass the B1 exam?

At least 50% of the points in each of the four written modules and at least 50% in the oral part. Failing one module means failing the exam.

How much does the B1 exam cost?

The fee is set by the centre where you take the exam. Until the end of 2026, for adults at B1 it may be at most the equivalent of 150 euro. From 1 January 2027 the cap is 7% of the average wage in the third quarter of the previous year.

Is a B1 certificate enough for Polish citizenship?

Yes, recognition as a Polish citizen requires at least B1. Instead of the certificate you can show a school certificate from Poland or from a school abroad taught in Polish, but not a post-secondary school certificate.

Do I need the B1 exam for the EU long-term resident card?

You need proof of Polish at B1 level or higher. Besides the state certificate, the office accepts ECL and TELC certificates and documents from school or university studies taught in Polish. People under 16 don't need to prove it.

How do I register for the B1 exam?

Choose a centre authorised to run the exam, sign up there and pay the fee. The centre registers you no later than a month before the exam. The State Commission publishes session dates and the list of centres.

When will I get my exam result?

The centre gives you your result in writing within 3 days of receiving the exam report. Within 21 days of getting the result you can ask to see a copy of your exam work.

Prepare with Bejeden

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Bejeden is an independent learning tool and is not affiliated with the State Commission or with NAWA.

Sources

As of 16 October 2026