Overview & grading
How the Writing section works, how your texts are graded and how the bands become your grade. Read this page first. It takes about ten minutes.
The Writing section
You have 120 minutes for two tasks: one longer (~400 words, often an essay, but it can be another text type) and one shorter (~250 words). Writing is one of four equally weighted sections of the written exam, alongside Reading, Listening and Language in Use.
| Text type | Word count | Register | Title? | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | ~400 words (360–440) | Formal | Required | Argue your position with evidence |
| Article | ~250 or ~400 words | Depends on the audience | Required – catchy! | Write for real readers |
| Report | ~250 or ~400 words | Formal and neutral | Subject line + section headings | Present findings and recommend action |
| Blog | ~250 or ~400 words | Informal to semi-formal | Post only (not a comment) | Personal voice, invite interaction |
| ~250 words (225–275) | Usually formal | Required | Clear purpose, proper format |
How you are graded – the four criteria
Each text is rated with the official scale: four criteria, each scored 0–10 and weighted equally. A weaker criterion can be balanced by a stronger one.
What the bands mean (simplified)
Everything the task asks for, fully developed with well-chosen details. Conventions confidently used, wide range of vocabulary and complex structures, only occasional slips.
All content points developed with relevant details. Clear structure, good range and variety, errors are rare and never cause misunderstanding.
This is the B2 minimum (6/10): all content points developed but with limited supporting detail, a limited but appropriate set of linking words, enough range including some complex forms, and errors that do not get in the way of communication.
Content points addressed but not developed, mostly simple linear sentences, repetition and lifting from the prompt, or errors pile up beyond simple structures.
Only parts of the task recognisable, very limited language, errors make parts of the text hard to understand.
No assessable performance – or the text fails to address the set task (see the veto rule above).
Simplified from the official B2 assessment scale (BMB, 2023 revision). The scale describes bands 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. The odd-numbered bands (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are for texts between two descriptions. Your teachers grade with the full official scale.
From bands to your grade
- Your two texts get 8 band scores (2 texts × 4 criteria, each 0–10). That is 80 points at most, and both texts count the same.
- They are converted into the 25 points of the Writing section: your total ÷ 80 × 25. Reading, listening and language in use count 25 points each.
- To pass, you need at least 60 of 100 points overall and at least 25 points in each area: reading + listening, and language in use + writing.
| Points (of 100) | Grade (Note) |
|---|---|
| 90 or more | Sehr gut |
| 80 or more | Gut |
| 70 or more | Befriedigend |
| 60 or more | Genügend |
| under 60, or under 25 in one area | Nicht genügend |
Source: the official correction and assessment guide for the written exam in modern foreign languages (BMB/IQS, September 2024). Your teachers apply it. If anything is unclear, ask them.
The 8 most expensive mistakes
Each one is a habit you can change.
| Mistake | What it costs | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Writing only 2 of 3 content points | Task Achievement drops sharply | → Tick off each content point as you write it |
| Ignoring the text type’s rules (e.g. a report without headings) | Task Achievement drops – conventions are part of the criterion | → Check the Layout box in the guide before you start |
| Copying words from the prompt or the input material | Range drops: copied language does not count as your own | → Rephrase, then interpret: what does the figure mean for your point? |
| Word count more than 10% too long or too short | Task Achievement drops one band | → Count your words. Practise estimating. |
| Formal style in a blog (or vice versa) | Wrong register costs marks (it is not counted as an Accuracy error) | → Decide: formal or informal? Then keep to it. |
| Only simple linking words | Low Coherence score | → Use the B2 linking words table |
| No topic sentences | Paragraphs feel random, weak Coherence | → First sentence of each paragraph = the point |
| Forgetting to proofread | Errors you would catch in 3 minutes | → Keep about 15 minutes at the end |