Polish B1 Exam – Format, Pass Mark and 2027 Dates
The B1 certificate exam in Polish as a foreign language is the most popular state Polish exam for foreigners. You need a B1 certificate, among other things, to be recognised as a Polish citizen and to get an EU long-term resident permit. Below: what the exam looks like, how many points you need, the 2027 session dates and how to prepare.
Who runs the B1 exam and who needs it
The exams are run by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (Państwowa Komisja do spraw Poświadczania Znajomości Języka Polskiego jako Obcego), with administrative support from NAWA. The sessions take place at authorised exam centres in Poland and abroad. The certificate never expires.
- Polish citizenship (uznanie za obywatela polskiego) – Polish at least at B1 level is required.
- EU long-term resident permit – also at least B1.
- Work – some employers, e.g. in healthcare or public administration, expect certified Polish.
Instead of the certificate, the office will also accept a school certificate or diploma from a school where Polish was the language of instruction.
What the B1 exam looks like – 5 parts
The exam has a written part (4 modules) and an oral part. Usually the written part is on day one of the session and the oral part on day two.
| Part | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (rozumienie ze słuchu) | up to 30 min | short recordings: announcements, conversations, interviews |
| Reading (rozumienie tekstów pisanych) | 40 min | ads, articles, information texts |
| Grammar (poprawność gramatyczna) | 45 min | cases, verb forms, aspect, numbers |
| Writing (pisanie) | 75 min | two texts: a shorter one (e.g. an ad, an invitation) and a longer one (e.g. a letter, a story) |
| Speaking (mówienie) | up to 15 min | picture description, a monologue on a given topic, an everyday role-play |
How many points do you need to pass B1
Adults pass the B1 exam if they score at least 50% in each written module and at least 50% in the oral part. The scores are not added up – great reading will not save weak grammar. So the key is to lift your weakest module, not to push your strongest one higher.
For many candidates the hardest parts are grammar (case endings) and writing – you cannot guess there, and every wrong word form costs points.
B1 exam dates in 2027
- 6–7 February 2027
- 10–11 April 2027
- 12–13 June 2027 (also B1 for children and young people)
- 2–3 October 2027
- 27–28 November 2027
You register directly with the exam centre of your choice. Places are often limited, so apply a few weeks in advance. Source: State Commission session dates (certyfikatpolski.pl).
How much the B1 exam costs and what changes in 2027
In 2026 the B1 exam fee is usually the equivalent of 150 euros, plus 20 euros for the certificate (paid in Polish zloty). The centre tells you the exact amount after you register.
On 1 January 2027 an amendment to the Polish Language Act (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 676) comes into force. The main changes for candidates:
- Fees: the maximum B1 exam fee for candidates aged 16+ is 7% of the average Polish salary, and the certificate costs 100 zł. Each centre sets its exact price.
- Age groups: candidates under 16 and over 16 take the exam separately.
- Supplement: the certificate comes with a supplement showing your result in percent.
- Re-marking: within 21 days of getting your results you can ask for the written part to be checked again.
How to prepare for the Polish B1 exam – 6 tips
- Start with a sample paper. certyfikatpolski.pl publishes papers from past sessions. Do one under exam timing and see which module falls below 50%.
- Cases come first. Declining nouns and adjectives through the 7 cases matters in grammar, writing and speaking.
- Learn ready-made phrases. For writing and speaking, use set formulas: opening and closing a letter, giving your opinion, asking for information.
- Write against the clock. 75 minutes for two texts is not much – practise with a timer and count your words.
- Speak out loud. Describe photos from your phone in Polish, record yourself and listen back.
- Listen to Polish every day – radio, podcasts, announcements at the station or in shops. Even 15 minutes a day makes a difference.
Polish B1 cheat sheets – everything on 34 A4 pages
If you prefer to revise from one place, we have prepared Polish B1 Exam Cheat Sheets – a printable PDF with explanations in English and examples in Polish with translations: grammar (the 7 cases, aspect, verbs of motion, numbers), model texts for writing, phrases for speaking and a 6-week study plan.
- Polish B1 Exam Cheat Sheets – 34 sheets + a 3-page exam insert.
- Ukrainian speaker? The same sheets with explanations in Ukrainian: Польська B1 — шпаргалки до іспиту.
- Going for B2 next? See Polish B2 Exam Cheat Sheets.
FAQ
How long is the Polish B1 exam?
The written part takes about 190 minutes in total (longer with breaks), and the oral part up to 15 minutes. The two parts are usually on two consecutive days.
What is the pass mark for B1?
At least 50% in each of the four written modules and at least 50% in the oral part. Each part counts separately.
Does the B1 certificate expire?
No. The state certificate of proficiency in Polish is valid for life.
Where do I register for the B1 exam?
At one of the authorised exam centres. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education publishes the list of centres, and the State Commission publishes the session dates on certyfikatpolski.pl.
Is a B1 certificate enough for Polish citizenship?
Polish at B1 level is one of the conditions for being recognised as a Polish citizen. The others, such as the required length of residence, depend on the basis of your application – check them with your voivodeship office (urząd wojewódzki).
Updated October 2026. Before registering, check the current dates and fees with your exam centre. Ten artykuł po polsku: Egzamin B1 z polskiego – jak wygląda, ile trzeba zdobyć i terminy 2027.
