For many international residents, the Polish B1 exam is the most important test in their whole language journey. Not because B1 is an especially high level, but because real decisions depend on it: Polish citizenship, EU long-term resident status, sometimes a job. This guide covers everything you should know before you sign up: who can take the exam, what it looks like, the pass mark, the fees and how to prepare.
What is the Polish state certificate exam?
It is the official exam that certifies your knowledge of Polish as a foreign language. Certificates are issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language, and exams are run by authorised centres: universities, schools and institutions in Poland and abroad.
Exams are held at levels A1 to C2. Following the 2026 amendment of the Polish Language Act, there is one group for candidates aged 16 and over (levels A1 to C2) and one for younger candidates (levels A1 to B2). Foreigners and Polish citizens living permanently abroad can take the exam.
The certificate never expires. Once you pass B1, it stays valid for life.
Who needs a Polish B1 certificate?
The most common reasons our students take the B1 exam:
- Polish citizenship. Recognition as a Polish citizen requires proof of Polish language skills, most often the B1 certificate.
- EU long-term resident permit. You also need to show Polish at B1 level or higher.
- Work and recruitment. More and more employers ask for official proof of your level, especially in customer facing roles.
- Your own goal. A certificate gives your learning a clear target and structure.
Important: B1 and citizenship in 2026. Since 2025, Poland has been debating raising the citizenship language requirement to B2, and some drafts even proposed C1. In January 2026 the Sejm rejected one such bill, and the Ministry of the Interior announced further changes. As of publication, B1 still applies, but the rules may change. If you are planning to apply, do not put off the exam.
What does the B1 exam look like?
The exam has a written part and an oral part, usually held on two consecutive days.
Written part
- Listening. You hear recordings such as announcements, conversations and short interviews, and answer closed questions.
- Reading. You read several practical and journalistic texts: notices, articles, letters. The tasks check whether you understand the main idea and the details.
- Grammar. Tasks on word forms, cases, verb aspect, the past tense, numerals and vocabulary in context.
- Writing. Two texts: a shorter practical one (an email, a notice, a message) and a longer one (a letter, a description, an opinion). Examiners assess task completion, coherence, vocabulary and accuracy.
Oral part
- Speaking. A conversation with a two person panel. It usually includes a short warm up, a talk on a topic from a card you draw and a role play based on everyday life, such as returning a product or booking an appointment.
The pass mark: 50% in every part
To pass the Polish B1 exam you must score at least 50% in each of the five parts separately. This is the rule many candidates learn about too late. Excellent speaking will not save a failed grammar section, so your preparation has to cover every skill, not just your strongest ones.
Polish B1 exam dates for 2026 and 2027
Exam sessions take place several times a year. The next session with a B1 exam is on 5 and 6 December 2026. Several centres have already announced 2027 dates, including a session on 6 and 7 February 2027.
Places at each centre are limited, and in popular cities registration closes quickly. Follow the schedule as soon as it is published.
How much does the exam cost?
Each exam centre sets its own fee within limits set by law. Since 2026 those limits are set in Polish złoty rather than euros. In practice, in 2026 many centres charged the equivalent of about 150 euros for the B1 exam, plus a separate fee for issuing the certificate. Always check the exact amount with your chosen centre.
How to register for the Polish B1 exam
- Go to the official website certyfikatpolski.pl.
- Choose a session, level B1 and an exam centre.
- Fill in the application form.
- Pay the fee by the deadline set by the centre.
Go For Polish does not register anyone for the exam. Registration is handled only by the exam centre. We take care of what happens before the exam: your preparation.
How long does B1 exam preparation take?
It depends on where you start. If you are already at B1, an intensive prep course usually takes 6 to 10 weeks and focuses on the exam format, common traps and working under time pressure. If you are at A2, you first need a general B1 course and only then exam preparation.
For practical advice, read How to Pass the Polish B1 Exam: 12 Proven Tips.
B1 exam preparation course at Go For Polish
Our prep course is designed for learners who are already at B1:
- 8 weeks, 16 classes of 90 minutes, 24 hours of learning in total,
- small groups, never more than 6 students,
- preparation for all five parts of the exam, including a mock exam,
- 100% online, taught by a teacher specialised in Polish as a foreign language,
- a 50% money back guarantee if you do not pass, under the terms of the guarantee rules.
Not sure if you are ready? Before you sign up, you talk with Dorota, who will check your level and tell you where to start.
Two separate steps, two separate links:
– registering for the state exam: certyfikatpolski.pl
– signing up for the prep course: Polish B1 exam preparation course
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the Polish B1 exam?
You need at least 50% of the points in each of the five parts separately: listening, reading, grammar, writing and speaking. A great score in one part cannot make up for a failed part.
Is B1 enough for Polish citizenship?
As of this article’s publication (October 2026), recognition as a Polish citizen requires proof of Polish at B1 level or higher, usually the state certificate. Changes raising the requirement have been proposed, so check the current rules with the voivode’s office before you apply.
Where do I register for the Polish B1 exam?
You register yourself through the official website certyfikatpolski.pl by choosing an exam centre and session. Language schools, including Go For Polish, do not register candidates for the exam.
How much does the Polish B1 exam cost?
Each exam centre sets its own fee within legal limits. In 2026 many centres charged the equivalent of about 150 euros in Polish złoty for the exam, plus a small separate fee for issuing the certificate. Check the current fee with your chosen centre.
Can I take the Polish B1 exam online?
No. The state certificate exam takes place in person at an authorised exam centre, in Poland or abroad. You can, however, prepare for it online.