Before the exam, many people do the maths in their head: how many points do I actually need? The answer: there is no single pass mark, but one for each part. And not every part counts the same. You must always pass Speaking and Values, while for Listening and Reading and for Writing, one of the two is enough.
Below you will find the pass marks for each part, as set out in the ÖIF exam regulations (Prüfungsordnung, version 01/2024) and the official model exam on sprachportal.at.
The rule: three things in one sitting
According to the ÖIF exam regulations, you have passed the Integration Exam B1 if you achieve these three things in one single sitting:
- Speaking at B1: from 75 of 100 points. This is always required.
- Values passed: from 25 of 45 points. This is always required too.
- On top of that, B1 in Listening and Reading (from 33 of 45 points) or in Writing (from 15 of 20 points). One of the two is enough.
Listening and Reading count together
These two modules are graded together and add up to 45 points, one per item. You have B1 from 33 points. Because both count together, a point you lose in Listening can come back in Reading. Below 33 it is not B1 here, and then your Writing has to be at B1.
Writing: where it gets tight for many
Writing gives a maximum of 20 points, spread over four criteria (content, communicative design, accuracy, vocabulary) with 5 points each. You have B1 from 15 points. If you score less, Listening and Reading together must be at B1.
The most common reason for losing points is not bad grammar, but a forgotten guide point (Leitpunkt). If the task says “Erzählen Sie von Ihrem letzten Urlaub und laden Sie eine Freundin ein” (tell us about your last holiday and invite a friend) and you only write about the holiday, the invitation is missing, and you lose the point under the content criterion. People rarely spot patterns like this in their own texts.
Speaking is scored out of 100 points
Speaking is made up of several tasks, from a short self-introduction to planning something together with your exam partner. Pronunciation, fluency, accuracy and vocabulary are among the things assessed, on a scale up to 100. You have B1 from 75 points. You must always reach this mark: strong Listening, Reading or Writing does not make up for weak Speaking.
The values part is the easiest to plan for
The values part consists of multiple-choice questions and is graded on its own: 45 points, passed from 25. If you score less, the whole exam counts as failed, no matter how good your German is. The upside: the questions come from the official ÖIF catalogue, which anyone can view. This is the part you can secure most reliably, once you have worked through the topics properly.
Want to know where you stand before you register? A model test shows your result for each module compared with the pass mark, including feedback on your Writing and Speaking tasks.
Start a model testFrequently asked questions
Does the total score count in the end?
No, there is no overall total. You must always pass Speaking (from 75) and Values (from 25). On top of that you need B1 in Listening and Reading (from 33) or in Writing (from 15), and one of the two is enough. But do not count on it: you cannot know in advance which one goes wrong on the day. Get both over the line.
Where do these pass marks come from?
From the ÖIF exam regulations (version 01/2024) and the official model exam on sprachportal.at. Before your exam, check there whether a newer version has been published, and do not rely on numbers from forums.
Can I retake only the part I failed?
No. There are no partial certificates, so you always retake the whole exam. In return, you can repeat it as often as you like.
Where do most people lose their points?
In Writing and Speaking. These are the productive parts, where it is hard to judge without feedback how an examiner will see your performance.
As of 28 September 2026, without guarantee. You will find binding information at the official bodies: sprachportal.at (ÖIF) · osd.at (ÖSD).