What is the passing score for speaking?

The maximum score for Mówienie is 40 points. To pass, you need at least 50%, meaning 20 points. The speaking module is assessed separately from the written block, which gives 120 points in total.

What tasks are included in the oral block?

The oral exam has three stages: photo description, where you explain what is happening in the picture; a monologue on a given topic, such as ecology, work, or traditions; and a situation, meaning a role play with the examiner, such as returning a product or making a doctor appointment.

Can I use a dictionary or phone during preparation?

No. Dictionaries, phones, notes, and other supporting materials are not allowed during the state exam. During preparation, you work only with the received zestaw and your short notes.

What should I do if I forget a word or stumble?

The commission assesses not only language range, but also communicative strategy. If you forget a word, describe it differently, use a synonym, or choose a simpler phrase. The key is not to stay silent and to continue the dialogue.

Which topics often appear in monologues?

Speaking topics often overlap with reading and listening texts. They may include ecology, new technologies, work-life balance, healthy lifestyle, education, city life, or family.

Do I need to use complex grammar structures?

You do not need to make the answer artificially complex, but appropriate B1 structures help the score. It is useful to show forms such as chciałbym and zrobiłbym, connectors that link ideas, and reasonably accurate case forms.

How is pronunciation assessed?

Pronunciation and intonation are part of the overall assessment, but they do not need to be perfect. The main condition is that your pronunciation should be understandable and should not block the meaning of what you say.

Mówienie

B1 speaking: three tasks, 15 minutes, and a clear answer plan

Q: How long does the oral exam take?

The conversation with the commission takes up to 15 minutes. After receiving the zestaw, candidates usually get about 5 minutes to prepare: you can read the tasks and sketch an answer plan.

In Mówienie, the goal is not perfect speech. You need to complete the task, react to the examiner, and show stable B1-level communication.

Open exam preparation See the demo

up to 15 min

3 tasks

Goal: 50%

How the oral part works

The oral module takes up to 15 minutes and is held separately from the written block. After receiving the zestaw, candidates usually get about 5 minutes to prepare: you can sketch a plan and mark key words.

The exam does not reward fast speech by itself. It checks whether you can describe clearly, react in a dialogue, and support an opinion. That is why preparation should follow the three task formats instead of memorizing one universal text.

What to do during preparation

Scan the zestaw: look at all three tasks and decide which phrases you need for each answer.
Write short notes: use three to five keywords instead of trying to write a full script.
Prepare connectors: keep safe openings ready: Na zdjęciu widzę..., Moim zdaniem..., Chciałbym zapytać...

Format

Three task types

The oral part usually checks three different communication modes: description, dialogue, and a short opinion. Each one needs a different preparation pattern.

What is tested: describing people, actions, clothing, place, and surroundings. What to do: say who is in the picture, what is happening, and what emotions the people may have. Useful phrases: Na zdjęciu widzę..., W tle znajduje się..., Wydaje mi się, że....

Speaking example

This example shows a useful structure: opinion first, then personal actions, suggestions for other people, and a short conclusion.

Practice example

This training example helps show the structure of speaking: opinion, arguments, reaction to the topic, and a short conclusion.

Strong answer example

Listen to a B1 answer about ecology and see the structure behind it.

Czy uważa Pani/Pan, że dbanie o ekologię w życiu codziennym ma sens? Proszę uzasadnić swoją opinię, podać przykłady własnych działań i zasugerować, co każdy z nas może zrobić dla planety.

Answer structure

1opinion and main argument
2your own actions at home
3what each person can do
4short conclusion

Listen to a strong answer in context

The answer avoids unnecessary complexity but covers every part of the task: opinion, arguments, personal examples, and suggested actions.

0:000:00

Show answer transcript

Moim zdaniem, dbanie o ekologię w dzisiejszych czasach jest niezwykle ważne. Uważam, że ma to wielki sens, ponieważ każdy mały krok pomaga chronić naszą planetę dla przyszłych pokoleń.

Jeśli chodzi o moje własne działania, to staram się być świadomym konsumentem. Na przykład zawsze segreguję śmieci w domu: papier, plastik i szkło trafiają do osobnych pojemników. Na zakupy zawsze biorę własną torbę materiałową, żeby nie kupować plastikowych reklamówek. Staram się też oszczędzać wodę i energię, na przykład gaszę światło, kiedy wychodzę z pokoju.

Co jeszcze możemy zrobić? Myślę, że każdy z nas może ograniczyć jedzenie mięsa, bo jego produkcja zużywa bardzo dużo wody. Warto też częściej wybierać rower lub komunikację miejską zamiast samochodu, aby ograniczyć smog w miastach.

Podsumowując, ekologia zaczyna się w naszym domu. Nawet jeśli myślimy, że jeden człowiek nic nie może zmienić, to razem możemy osiągnąć bardzo dużo.

Scoring

How the 40 points are awarded

The commission does not score one vague overall impression. It checks two broad areas: task completion and language accuracy. To pass the module, you need at least 50%, meaning 20 out of 40 points. A strong answer follows the instructions, sounds natural enough, and stays understandable even with some mistakes.

Task completion: 20 points: photo description, monologue, and situation should all follow the instructions.
Grammar: up to 8 points for forms, cases, tenses, word order, and avoiding serious errors.
Vocabulary and style: up to 8 points for B1 vocabulary, connectors, natural wording, and appropriate style.
Pronunciation and fluency: up to 4 points for understandable pronunciation, intonation, and speech without very long pauses.

Strategy

How to answer when you are nervous

For each task, keep a short frame: direct answer, two or three details, a real-life example, and a short ending. This is safer than memorizing one long sentence that can disappear under stress.

Start directly: Moim zdaniem..., Uważam, że..., Na początku chciałbym powiedzieć... help you begin without a long pause.
React to the examiner: in the role play, ask follow-up questions and show that you understand the other person.
Replace forgotten words: use a synonym or description instead of stopping completely.

What to focus on

In speaking, the strongest answers are not built from perfect memorized sentences. They show that you understood the instruction, can extend an idea, and can stay active when the examiner changes the direction of the exchange.

A clear first move: start with a direct sentence that answers the task instead of a long introduction.
Concrete details: in the photo task, name the place, action, people, and a possible reason for the situation so the answer does not stay vague.
Dialogue control: in the role play, ask short questions, clarify conditions, and propose a solution instead of waiting for the examiner to lead everything.
Simple repair strategy: if you forget a word, explain it with easier language and keep the sentence moving without a long pause.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Try B1 speaking preparation

Work through the mówienie format: 3 tasks, answer structure, dialogue with the examiner, and topics that appear most often in the exam.

Open B1 preparation