Goethe B2 Lesen
the reading module, part by part
30 items in five parts and 65 minutes, and 60 of 100 points to pass. Here is what you read in each Teil, how many options are left over in each matching task, how to spend the time, and how scoring works.
B2 Lesen at a glance
The module has exactly 30 items, split 9 / 6 / 6 / 6 / 3 across five parts. Every part opens with an example numbered 0, and each item has one right answer. You may start with any part; the sheet suggests a working time for each that adds up to 60 of the 65 minutes.
| Part | What you read | Task | Items | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Four forum posts (a–d) on one topic | Who says this? Same person can be the answer several times | 9 (1–9) | 18 min |
| Teil 2 | A magazine article with gaps | Put sentences a–h into the gaps | 6 (10–15) | 12 min |
| Teil 3 | A newspaper article | a/b/c | 6 (16–21) | 12 min |
| Teil 4 | Eight short opinions (a–h) | Match opinions to statements | 6 (22–27) | 12 min |
| Teil 5 | A formal regulation with a table of contents | Match paragraphs to headings | 3 (28–30) | 6 min |
Teil 1: four forum voices (items 1–9)
Four people, a to d, write forum posts on the same topic. Nine statements follow, and for each you decide which person says it. The four letters are the options for every item, and a person can be the answer more than once — with nine statements and four people, that is unavoidable. There are no extra distractors.
This is the longest part, with 18 suggested minutes. Read each post once and note the writer's position in a few words beside it; then the statements are a matter of matching ideas, not re-reading four texts every time.
Teil 2: sentences into gaps (items 10–15)
A magazine article has six gaps, plus the example gap 0. You get eight sentences, a to h, and place one in each gap. The example's sentence is printed in full and is not one of the eight — so two sentences fit nowhere. Each sentence can be used only once.
Look at what comes before and after each gap: a pronoun, a connector or a repeated word often links the missing sentence to its neighbours. Check every choice by reading the paragraph through with the sentence in place.
Teil 3: a newspaper article (items 16–21)
One newspaper article with six a/b/c questions and an example. Exactly one option is right per question.
Find the passage each question refers to before you compare the options. An option can repeat words from the text and still say something the text does not — check the meaning, not the vocabulary.
Teil 4: eight opinions (items 22–27)
Eight short opinions, a to h, each signed with a name and a city. Six statements must each be matched to one opinion. Here the example uses opinion a, which cannot be used again — so of the seven remaining opinions, exactly one fits no statement.
Cross out a first. Then match the clearest pairs and leave the one opinion that fits nothing for last.
Teil 5: a regulation and its headings (items 28–30)
A formal document — a set of study regulations, for example — with a table of contents of eight headings, a to h. You match three paragraphs to their headings. The example uses one heading, so four headings are not needed. With only three items, this is the smallest part of the whole exam.
Read each paragraph for its main point before looking at the headings. Formal texts often contain several topics; the right heading names what the whole paragraph regulates.
The leftover options, part by part
Three parts give you more options than items, and the example works differently in each. Knowing how many options stay unused tells you when to stop looking for a match.
| Part | Options | The example | Items | Left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 2 | 8 sentences (a–h) | printed in full, uses no option | 6 | 2 |
| Teil 4 | 8 opinions (a–h) | uses opinion a | 6 | 1 |
| Teil 5 | 8 headings (a–h) | uses one heading | 3 | 4 |
How B2 Lesen 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.
Unlike B1, Goethe has not published the conversion table for B2, so there is no official "you need X correct answers" — treat any exact number you read elsewhere as an estimate.
Six mistakes that cost points
Using each forum voice once in Teil 1
Nine statements, four people: the same person is the answer several times. Do not cross a voice out after using it.
Counting the example in Teil 2
The example sentence in Teil 2 is printed in full and is not one of a–h. Two of the eight sentences fit nowhere.
Reusing opinion a in Teil 4
In Teil 4 the example uses opinion a, and it cannot be used again. Of the remaining seven opinions, one fits no statement.
Expecting every heading to fit in Teil 5
Teil 5 has eight headings for three paragraphs plus the example, so four headings are not needed at all.
Ignoring the suggested times
The sheet suggests 18, 12, 12, 12 and 6 minutes — 60 of the 65. You may start anywhere, but Teil 1 alone takes almost a third of the time.
Forgetting the answer sheet
Only answers on the answer sheet count. Transfer them inside the 65 minutes; there is no extra transfer time in Lesen.
Where to practise
Start with the official model test (Modellsatz) that the Goethe-Institut publishes for B2 on its website. Do the Lesen part once against the clock, with the suggested times and the answer sheet, inside 65 minutes.
Then keep practising with full mocks. ScoreUp's Goethe B2 Lesen mocks follow the official format part by part and explain every answer. New accounts get three free exam credits; one complete Lesen 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 Lesen mock
30 items in five parts, in the official format — free with your starter credits.Frequently asked questions
How long is the Goethe B2 Lesen module?
65 minutes for five parts. The sheet suggests 18, 12, 12, 12 and 6 minutes per part — 60 minutes — so about five minutes remain as a buffer. Your answers must be on the answer sheet within the 65 minutes.
How many points do I need to pass B2 Lesen?
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.
Do I have to do the parts in order?
No. The instructions say you can start with any task. Plan your order around the suggested times printed on the sheet.
Why are there more options than gaps in Teil 2?
Teil 2 has eight sentences for six gaps. The example sentence is printed separately and is not one of the eight, so two sentences are left over.
Can I use a forum voice more than once in Teil 1?
Yes. The instructions say the people can be chosen more than once. With nine statements and four people, some people must be the answer several times.
What happens if I fail only the Lesen 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 Lesen alone.
Can I use a dictionary or my phone?
No. Dictionaries and phones are not allowed in the Lesen module.