B1 State Certificate · ECL · updated for 2026
Polish B1 & ECL exam practice
Whether you're taking the państwowy egzamin certyfikatowy B1 or the ECL B1, the fastest way to pass is to practise in the real exam format and learn the traps examiners set. Here's everything you need to know, plus full mock exams you can take in Pluddy.
Polish B1 State Certificate: format and pass mark
The B1 exam (Państwowy egzamin certyfikatowy z języka polskiego – B1) is run by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish. The written part takes up to 190 minutes and the oral part about 15 minutes.
| Part | Time | Points | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening Rozumienie ze słuchu | ~30 min | 30 | 15 |
| Reading Rozumienie tekstów pisanych | 40 min | 30 | 15 |
| Grammar Poprawność gramatyczna | 45 min | 30 | 15 |
| Writing Wypowiedź pisemna | 75 min | 30 | 15 |
| Speaking Wypowiedź ustna | ~15 min | 40 | 20 |
Pass rule: At least 50% in EACH of the five parts. There is no average: one failed part means the whole exam is failed.
- Recordings are played once or twice depending on the task — the instruction tells you which.
- In the writing part you choose ONE of the task sets and write every text in that set.
- In the oral part you draw one of three sets (2–3 tasks) and perform it in front of the board.
ECL B1 (Polish): format and the new 60% rule
ECL tests four skills with no separate grammar paper. From August 2026 every module is independent and needs 60%.
| Part | Time | Points | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Rozumienie tekstów pisanych | 35 min | 25 | 15 |
| Writing Wypowiedź pisemna | 40 min | 25 | 15 |
| Listening Rozumienie ze słuchu | ~25 min | 25 | 15 |
| Speaking Wypowiedź ustna | ~20 min | 25 | 15 |
Pass rule: From August 2026: at least 60% in EACH module. Modules are independent — pass 1–3 and you get a certificate for those; pass all four within a year for the full certificate.
- Reading: 2 tasks, 500–700 words, 10 answers per task, no dictionary.
- Writing: 2 texts of ~100 words built on four bullet points; printed dictionaries allowed.
- Listening: 2 recordings, each played twice, with 60–120 s to read the questions first.
- Speaking is in pairs, with no preparation time: warm-up, guided conversation, then a monologue on four pictures.
B1 State Certificate or ECL: which should you take?
B1 State Certificate
- The official Polish state certificate
- Includes a separate grammar part
- 50% needed in each of five parts
ECL B1
- International consortium exam, held in many countries
- No grammar paper; dictionary allowed in writing
- 60% needed in each module, which can be passed separately
Requirements differ between offices, employers and universities. Always check which certificate the institution you apply to accepts.
The traps examiners set (and how to beat them)
The speaker changes their mind
The first time, day or item you hear is often corrected later („nie, jednak…”, „sprawdziłam jeszcze raz…”). The final version is the answer.
„Film jest o siódmej… sprawdziłam, seans jest kwadrans po ósmej.” → 20:15
Same word, wrong answer
The option that repeats a word from the text or recording is often the distractor. Look for the answer that means the same thing, not the one that sounds the same.
Ad says „rowery” (bike rental), but the person wants to BUY a bike.
Hidden negation
One „nie”, „wcale”, „ani” or „tylko” flips the meaning. Underline them while you read.
„Nie pozwala TYLKO palić”, so pets ARE allowed.
Numbers, times and prices
Several numbers are said; only one answers the question. Watch -naście vs -dziesiąt (piętnaście 15 / pięćdziesiąt 50), wpół do ósmej = 7:30, kwadrans po = :15, co piąty = 20%.
„tor drugi przy peronie trzecim” → platform 3
Negation → genitive
Accusative objects become genitive after „nie”: mam czas → nie mam czasu, widzę kota → nie widzę kota. Nominative after „być” doesn't change: nie jestem lekarzem.
Nie mają dzieci. Nie mogę znaleźć kluczy.
Numbers + nouns
2/3/4 and numbers ending in 2/3/4 (22, 33, 44…, but not 12–14) + nominative plural; everything else (5–21, 25–31…) + genitive plural; dużo / wiele / mało / kilka + genitive; groups of men: pięciu studentów, dwóch/dwaj panów.
dwa jajka, pięć jajek, dwadzieścia dwa jajka, dwanaście jajek
Try a B1 grammar question
Kupiłam dwadzieścia dwa ______.
Show the answer
jajka. Numbers ending in 2, 3, 4 (except 12–14) take the nominative plural: dwadzieścia dwa jajka. But: dwanaście jajek.
Take full mock exams in Pluddy
Frequently asked questions
How is the Polish B1 State Certificate exam scored?
There are five parts: listening (30 points), reading (30 points), grammar (30 points), writing (30 points), speaking (40 points). You must score at least 50% in each part separately. There is no average, so one failed part means the whole exam is failed.
What is the ECL pass mark in 2026?
From August 2026, ECL is modular: you need at least 60% in each module (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The old rule of 40% per skill with a 60% average no longer applies. Pass one to three modules and you get a certificate for those; pass all four within a year for the full certificate.
How long is the Polish B1 exam?
The written part takes up to 190 minutes (listening 30 min, reading 40 min, grammar 45 min, writing 75 min). The oral part takes about 15 minutes.
Can I use a dictionary in the ECL exam?
Only in the writing module: a printed monolingual or bilingual dictionary is allowed (not a thematic one). Reading is done without a dictionary. ECL writing is two texts of about 100 words in 40 minutes.
Is Pluddy's exam simulator free?
The Exam Simulator is included in Pluddy's 1 month free trial, and no card is needed. It has full B1 and ECL mock exams, explanations for every answer and AI marking of your writing.
Where can I find official past papers?
The State Certification Commission publishes past B1 papers with audio and answer keys on certyfikatpolski.pl, and ECL publishes online sample tests on eclexam.eu. Pluddy links to both from the simulator.
Official practice papers
- Past B1 exam papers 2021–2024, with audio and transcripts
- B1 sample tests (2017, 2019, 2020) with answer keys
- Official exam structure
- ECL online sample tests (choose Polish → B1)
- ECL exam structure by level
- ECL passing rules (modular from Aug 2026)
Exam formats checked against certyfikatpolski.pl and eclexam.eu on 2026-09-23. Pluddy's mock exams are original practice material in the official format and are not affiliated with either exam board.