If you are planning to live, work or apply for citizenship in Poland, passing the B1 Polish State Exam (Egzamin Państwowy B1) is a mandatory step. Every year thousands of foreigners take this exam, and many fail not because of low language level, but because of poor preparation strategy.
This guide explains exactly how to prepare for the B1 Polish exam effectively and pass it with confidence.
What Is the B1 Polish State Exam?
The B1 Polish State Exam is the official national certificate confirming your intermediate Polish language proficiency. It is required for:
- Permanent residence in Poland
- Polish citizenship
- Studying at Polish universities
- Legal employment
At B1 level, you must demonstrate the ability to communicate in everyday situations, understand spoken Polish, read typical texts, write simple messages and speak clearly.
B1 Polish Exam Structure
The exam consists of five parts:
1. Listening (Słuchanie)
You listen to real-life conversations, announcements, and dialogues. Tasks include multiple-choice questions, true/false statements, and matching exercises.
Key point: Audio is played twice. Focus on understanding the main idea, not every single word.
2. Reading (Czytanie)
You read texts like emails, advertisements, short articles, and instructions. Questions test your understanding of main ideas and specific details.
Key point: Texts are based on everyday situations — shopping, travel, work, social life.
3. Grammar & Vocabulary (Gramatyka i słownictwo)
This section tests your knowledge of Polish grammar rules, word forms, prepositions, and sentence structures.
Key point: Focus on practical grammar patterns, not theoretical rules.
4. Writing (Pisanie)
You write two texts: usually a formal message (email, letter, request) and an informal message (personal letter, opinion, story).
Key point: Use clear, simple language. Follow the task instructions exactly.
5. Speaking (Mówienie)
You have a conversation with an examiner. Tasks include introducing yourself, describing a picture, answering questions, and role-playing a situation.
Key point: Speak slowly and clearly. Don't rush. Communication matters more than perfection.
💡 Important: All tasks are based on real-life communication
The B1 exam doesn't test academic Polish or complex literature. It tests your ability to function in everyday situations: shopping, traveling, working, studying, and socializing.
How to Prepare for the B1 Polish Exam
The most effective preparation includes:
1. Learning Exam Task Formats
Understanding what to expect in each part of the exam reduces stress and saves time. Download official sample exams and study the task types.
2. Practicing with Real Exam Papers
Candidates who train with real exam materials pass significantly faster. Complete at least 5-7 full practice tests under timed conditions before your exam date.
3. Improving Speaking Confidence
Many students neglect speaking practice. This is a mistake. Speaking is predictable — practice common topics like:
- Your daily routine
- Your family and friends
- Your work or studies
- Your hobbies and interests
- Your plans for the future
4. Mastering Basic Grammar Patterns
You don't need to know every grammar rule. Focus on the most common patterns:
- Present, past, and future tenses
- Common verb conjugations
- Basic case usage (nominative, accusative, genitive, locative)
- Question words and sentence structures
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the B1 Polish Exam?
Most learners need 8–12 weeks of systematic preparation to reach exam readiness. This assumes you already have an A2 level foundation.
Intensive exam-focused courses shorten this time even more. Structured courses with experienced teachers help you avoid common mistakes and focus on what actually matters for the exam.
Common Mistakes in the B1 Polish Exam
⚠️ Avoid These Critical Mistakes:
- Learning random grammar — Focus on exam-relevant grammar, not advanced topics
- Avoiding speaking — Speaking is 20% of your score. Practice regularly!
- Not knowing exam formats — Unfamiliar task types cause panic and waste time
- Translating word for word — Think in Polish, not in your native language
- Lack of revision — Regular review is more effective than cramming
Avoiding these mistakes dramatically increases your chance of passing.
Speaking and Writing Strategies for the B1 Polish Exam
Speaking and writing are predictable and structured. Learning ready-made sentence patterns and writing templates is the fastest way to improve your score.
Writing Templates
Formal message opening:
- "Szanowni Państwo," (Dear Sir/Madam)
- "Piszę w sprawie..." (I am writing regarding...)
- "Zwracam się z prośbą o..." (I am requesting...)
Formal message closing:
- "Z poważaniem," (Sincerely)
- "Łączę wyrazy szacunku," (Respectfully)
Speaking Patterns
Use these phrases to sound natural and confident:
- "Moim zdaniem..." (In my opinion...)
- "Myślę, że..." (I think that...)
- "Z jednej strony... z drugiej strony..." (On one hand... on the other hand...)
- "To zależy od..." (It depends on...)
Final Tips for Passing the B1 Polish State Exam
- Speak slowly and clearly — Rushing causes mistakes. Examiners value clarity.
- Use simple grammar — Correct simple sentences score better than incorrect complex ones.
- Focus on meaning, not perfection — Communication is the goal, not flawless grammar.
- Stay calm — Nervousness is normal. Take deep breaths and do your best.
B1 Polish Course – 10 Week Intensive Preparation
Our 10-week intensive B1 Polish course is designed specifically for the Polish State Exam. It includes real exam papers, speaking training, writing templates, small groups (max. 6 students), and 3 lessons per week.
This course helps students pass the B1 Polish exam quickly and confidently.
See Our Polish CoursesWhy Choose ENLY for B1 Exam Preparation?
At ENLY, we specialize in exam-focused preparation. Our approach combines:
- Experienced native Polish tutors who understand the exam requirements
- Real exam materials and practice tests
- Small group sizes ensuring individual attention
- Structured learning path covering all five exam components
- Regular feedback on your speaking and writing
We have helped hundreds of students pass the B1 Polish State Exam on their first attempt. Our intensive 10-week course is the fastest and most effective way to prepare.
About the author: Karina Khotsianovskaya is a certified Polish language tutor at ENLY with 8+ years of experience preparing students for state exams. She has a 96% first-time pass rate.