The Polish B1 state exam — a complete guide by a state examiner
Everything you need to know about the state certificate exam in Polish as a foreign language at B1 level: the format, 2026 and 2027 session dates, fees, pass requirements — and the traps that actually cost candidates points.
What is the B1 certificate exam?
It is the only state examination that officially certifies knowledge of Polish as a foreign language. It is organised by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language and run by authorised exam centres in Poland and abroad. The B1 certificate is an official document recognised by Polish offices.
B1 is by far the most frequently taken level, because the certificate is required in two important procedures:
- Polish citizenship — when applying for recognition as a Polish citizen, you must document knowledge of Polish at B1 level or higher;
- permanent residence / EU long-term residence permit — official confirmation of language knowledge is required.
Exam format
The exam has a written and an oral part. The written part (adult group) takes no longer than 190 minutes in total and consists of four modules:
| Module | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Listening comprehension | everyday recordings: announcements, conversations, interviews |
| Reading comprehension | notices, articles, letters, practical texts |
| Grammatical correctness | declension, syntax and word formation in practical tasks |
| Writing | your own texts, e.g. a letter, a description, a story — following the instructions |
The oral part takes up to 15 minutes. You draw a set of three tasks: describing a picture, a short monologue on a given topic, and a communicative situation role-played with the examiner (e.g. a conversation at an office, making a complaint, arranging an appointment).
Pass requirements — the most important part of this guide
To pass, you need at least 50% in each of the five components separately: listening, reading, grammar, writing and speaking. The average does not matter — a brilliant reading score will not rescue a writing score below the threshold. This is the most common reason people fail: they keep practising what they are already good at instead of strengthening their weakest module.
2026 and 2027 session dates
Sessions in 2026
Exam sessions for the adult group in 2026:
| Session | Date | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| spring | 25–26 April 2026 | closed |
| summer | 27–28 June 2026 | closed |
| autumn | 17–18 October 2026 | opens 17 August 2026 |
| winter | 5–6 December 2026 | opens 5 October 2026 |
Sessions in 2027
In 2027 the B1 exam for the adult group is scheduled in as many as five sessions:
| Session | Date |
|---|---|
| winter | 6–7 February 2027 |
| spring | 10–11 April 2027 |
| summer | 12–13 June 2027 (also the children and youth group) |
| autumn | 2–3 October 2027 |
| November | 27–28 November 2027 |
Registration opening dates for the 2027 sessions have not been announced yet — centres publish them closer to each date.
You register directly with your chosen exam centre — the official website certyfikatpolski.pl publishes the up-to-date list of centres. Places in popular cities can sell out within hours, so be ready on the first day of registration.
How much does the exam cost?
The exam fee for B1 is around 170 euro (in 2026 typically about 730 PLN), including the 20 euro certificate issuance fee. The exact amount depends on the centre. If you withdraw less than 25 working days before the exam, the fee is usually not refunded.
Typical traps — an examiner's perspective
As an examiner and committee member, I see where candidates really lose points. Most often it is not advanced grammar — it is things that are easy to train:
- Writing that ignores the instructions. The task requires a specific form (e.g. a formal letter) and specific content points. A text that misses the topic — even in beautiful Polish — earns few points.
- Poor time management. Each module has a fixed time. Many candidates leave writing until the end and hand in an unfinished text.
- Oral part: not completing the whole task. In the communicative situation you must cover every element of the instructions, not just "have a chat".
- Training only your strengths. The 50% threshold applies to every module separately — preparation has to target your weakest one.
How long does preparation take?
It depends on your starting level. Learners who communicate comfortably at A2 usually need from a few months up to a year of regular work — what matters most is the frequency of lessons and training all five components, not only speaking. After a free consultation I'll build a realistic plan up to your chosen exam date.
Prepare for B1 with a state examiner
We train every part of the exam, run mock exams under real conditions and keep every module above the 50% threshold. The first lesson is free.
Book a free trial lessonFrequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass?
At least 50% in each of the five components separately: listening, reading, grammar, writing and speaking.
How much does the B1 exam cost?
Around 170 euro (about 730 PLN) including the certificate issuance fee; the exact amount depends on the centre.
When is the next exam?
The next session is 17–18 October 2026 (registration opens 17 August), followed by 5–6 December 2026 (registration opens 5 October). In 2027 there are five sessions with B1 — the first one already on 6–7 February.
Where do I register?
Directly with your chosen exam centre — the list of centres is published at certyfikatpolski.pl.