How to prepare for the Polish B1 exam — step-by-step plan

The best way to prepare for the Polish B1 exam is to practise all five parts in the exam format and check your progress regularly on sample tests. Below is a simple step-by-step plan plus tips for each part.

Start by understanding the exam

Before you start studying, learn the rules of the game: what the Polish B1 exam looks like, how long each part lasts, how it is scored and what the pass threshold is. Remember the most important rule — you must score at least 50% in each part separately, so you can't afford to neglect any of them.

Step-by-step study plan

1. Take a diagnostic test. Do one full sample test pack without preparation to see which parts are your weakest.
2. Identify your weak points. Grammar and writing are usually the hardest — they're the ones that need the most regular work.
3. Practise daily, in short sessions. 20–30 minutes a day works better than one long session once a week.
4. Rotate the parts. A different skill each day: listening, reading, grammar, writing, speaking — so you cover them all within a week.
5. Track your progress. Each week, do another full pack against the clock, in conditions close to the real exam.
6. Simulate the exam. At the final stage, do a whole pack with a time limit and no breaks — this builds tolerance for the stress and the pace.

Tips for each part

Listening and reading

Listen and read every day — podcasts, short articles, announcements. The exam isn't about understanding every word, but about catching a specific piece of information. Practise on the sample tests to learn the question types.

Grammar

This is the most "technical" part — systematic review of cases, verb conjugation and common constructions pays off. Do plenty of gap-fill and sentence-transformation tasks.

Writing

Learn the templates of the typical forms (e-mail, letter, announcement) and write regularly. Use the writing practice with AI evaluation — you'll get feedback on your mistakes and tips on what to fix.

Speaking

Speak out loud, even to yourself. Practise the three oral task types: photo description, a monologue and a communicative situation. AI evaluation will help you spot recurring mistakes and work on your fluency.

How long does it take?

It depends on your starting point, but with regular study (20–30 minutes a day) people typically talk about a few months to get from a solid A2 to a confident B1. Plan your study so you finish the intensive review 1–2 weeks before the exam date.

Next steps

• Learn the format: what the Polish B1 exam looks like
• Practise on tasks: Polish B1 sample tests
• Check the logistics: how much the B1 exam costs and where to take it

All the exercises on Polski B1 are free and run in your browser — start with the test packs.