Goethe B2 Hören
the listening module, part by part
30 items in four parts, about 40 minutes plus 5 minutes to transfer, and 60 of 100 points to pass. Here is what you hear in each Teil, which recordings play only once, how the reading pauses and the signal tone work, and how scoring works.
B2 Hören at a glance
The module has exactly 30 items, split 10 / 6 / 6 / 8 across four parts. You always read the questions first, then hear the text. Two parts are played once and two twice — and it is not the same pattern as at B1.
| Part | What you hear | Task | Items | Played | Reading time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Five short conversations and statements | Richtig/Falsch + a/b/c, alternating | 10 (1–10) | once | 15 s |
| Teil 2 | A radio interview with an expert | a/b/c | 6 (11–16) | twice | 90 s |
| Teil 3 | A radio discussion with three speakers | Who says that? a/b/c | 6 (17–22) | once | 60 s |
| Teil 4 | A short lecture by one speaker | a/b/c | 8 (23–30) | twice | 90 s |
The rhythm: pause, tone, text
B2 Hören follows one fixed rhythm. The narrator tells you which items to read, you get a silent reading pause, a signal tone ends the pause, and then the text plays. The narrator explains the tone at the very start and plays it once so you know what it sounds like. B1 has no tone at all, so this is new if you come from B1.
How every block runs
- 1. The narrator names the items to read„Lesen Sie jetzt die Aufgaben eins und zwei.“
- 2. A silent reading pause
- 3. The signal tone ends the pause„Am Ende jeder Pause hören Sie dieses Signal.“
- 4. The text plays
In Teil 1 there is no answering pause after a text: the next reading pause follows almost at once. Mark your answers while you listen and use the 5 transfer minutes at the end.
Teil 1: five short texts (items 1–10)
You hear five short conversations or statements, and each one is played only once. Every text carries two items: the odd one is Richtig/Falsch, the even one a choice between a, b and c. The example is numbered 01 and 02, and you get 15 seconds to read it.
Before each new text you read its two items in a short pause. Since you hear the text once, decide what each item hinges on before the tone — a reason, a plan, an opinion — and listen for exactly that.
Teil 2: a radio interview (items 11–16)
A radio interview with one guest, an expert in their field. You answer six a/b/c questions and hear the interview twice, with 90 seconds to read the questions first. There is no example.
On the first play, mark the option you think is right. On the second, check the items you were unsure of — the narrator announces the repeat with „Sie hören jetzt den Text noch einmal.“
Teil 3: a discussion — who says that? (items 17–22)
A radio conversation with three speakers: a moderator and two guests. For six statements you decide who says it — „Wer sagt das?“. The three speakers are the options for every item, and the same speaker can be the answer more than once. There is an example numbered 0, 60 seconds of reading time, and the discussion is played only once.
The speakers are introduced by name at the start. Note which voice belongs to whom in the first minute, and remember that the moderator is a real answer option, not just the person asking questions.
Teil 4: a short lecture (items 23–30)
One speaker gives a short talk on a topic. Eight a/b/c questions, 90 seconds of reading time, no example — and the lecture is played twice.
With eight items, this is the largest part after Teil 1. Use the first play to follow the structure of the talk and mark a first answer for each item, and the second to confirm.
How B2 Hören is scored
Each correct item is one raw point, and the 30 raw points are converted to a scale of 100. You pass the module with 60 points. Every B2 module is passed on its own; there is no overall score across modules.
One honest caveat: unlike B1, Goethe has not published the conversion table for B2. So you will not find an official "you need X correct answers" for B2 Hören — treat any exact number you read elsewhere as an estimate.
Six mistakes that cost points
Expecting a repeat in Teil 1 or 3
At B2, Teil 1 and Teil 3 are played only once. At B1, Teil 1 is played twice, so a B1 habit can mislead you here. Answer while you listen; there is no second chance in these two parts.
Reading after the text instead of before
The reading pause comes before each text, and there is no pause for answering after it in Teil 1. Use the next reading pause and the 5 transfer minutes to fix your marks.
Being surprised by the tone
A signal tone ends every reading pause, right before the text starts. When you hear it, stop reading and listen.
Forgetting the moderator in Teil 3
Each statement in Teil 3 belongs to one of three speakers, and the moderator is one of them. Speakers can be the answer more than once.
Spending the 90 seconds badly
Teil 2 and Teil 4 give you 90 seconds to read six and eight questions. Underline the key word in each question and in each option, so you know what to listen for.
Ignoring the second play
In Teil 2 and Teil 4 the second play is your chance to confirm the items you were unsure of. Mark a first answer on the first play, then check it on the second.
Where to practise
Start with the official model test (Modellsatz) that the Goethe-Institut publishes for B2 on its website, with the recording. Do it once under exam conditions: no pausing, and Teil 1 and Teil 3 only once.
Then build the timing reflex with full mocks. ScoreUp's Goethe B2 Hören mocks follow the official format part by part, with the reading pauses and the signal tone, and explain every answer. New accounts get three free exam credits; one complete Hören mock uses one.
Why practise on ScoreUp
- Mock exams in the official Goethe-Zertifikat format — the same parts, item counts and timing as the real exam
- Writing graded by AI against the official criteria, with feedback in your language
- Reading and listening scored instantly, every answer explained
- 3 free exam credits, no credit card — practice stays free
Take a full B2 Hören mock
30 items in the real order of parts, with reading pauses and the signal tone — free with your starter credits.Frequently asked questions
How long is the Goethe B2 Hören module?
About 40 minutes of listening, plus 5 minutes at the end to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet. The recording sets the pace, including the reading pauses.
Which parts of B2 Hören are played twice?
Teil 2 (the interview) and Teil 4 (the lecture) are played twice. Teil 1 (the short texts) and Teil 3 (the discussion) are played only once.
Is there a signal tone in the B2 listening test?
Yes. At the start the narrator says „Am Ende jeder Pause hören Sie dieses Signal.“ and plays the tone once. From then on, the tone ends every reading pause, just before a text begins.
How many points do I need to pass B2 Hören?
You need 60 of 100 points. Your 30 answers are converted to the 100-point scale. Goethe has not published the conversion table for B2, so there is no official number of correct answers that equals a pass.
What happens if I fail only the Hören module?
The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is modular: each module is scored on its own and passes at 60 of 100 points. There is no overall score across modules, and you can retake Hören alone.
Are there pictures in the B2 listening test?
No. Every B2 Hören task is audio plus printed text.
Can I use a dictionary or my phone?
No. Dictionaries and phones are not allowed in the Hören module.