Polish B1 exam writing: the complete guide

Writing ("Pisanie") is one of the four modules in the written part of the Polish as a Foreign Language state certificate exam at B1 level. For many candidates it's the hardest part: recognising the right answer isn't enough — you have to produce a text in Polish yourself. The good news: the format is predictable, and you can prepare for it well.

The essentials

Time	about 75 minutes
Tasks	2 texts (short + longer)
Choice	1 of 3 task sets
Points	0–30 (0–15 per text)
Pass mark	50%, i.e. 15 points
Criteria	task completion, range of language, accuracy

The 50% threshold applies to each module separately. You can't make up for weak writing with a great reading or listening score.

What do the tasks look like?

The paper contains three sets. Each set has two tasks:

1. Short form

A short practical text, e.g.:

• wishes or a holiday postcard,
• a notice (e.g. selling a bike, a lost key),
• a note for a flatmate or colleague,
• a short invitation.

Details and models: Short written forms at B1.

2. Longer form

A longer text, e.g.:

• a personal letter or email to a friend,
• a formal letter or email (e.g. a complaint, a request for information),
• an account of an event or a story.

Models: Polish B1 exam email: model letters.

Word count

The exact word count is always given in the task. In sample papers the short text is usually a few dozen words and the longer one around 150–175. Stick to the limit: a text that's clearly too short or too long lowers your task-completion score.

How are the texts graded?

Each of the two texts gets 0–15 points across three criteria (0–5 each):

1. Task completion — is the text on topic, does it cover all task points, does it have the right format and length?
2. Range of language — vocabulary range, sentence variety, appropriate style.
3. Accuracy — grammar, spelling, punctuation.

Full explanation with examples: Polish B1 writing grading criteria.

A 75-minute plan

Time	What you do
0–10 min	Read all 3 sets and choose one. Underline the points in each task.
10–25 min	Write the short text and check it straight away.
25–35 min	Plan the longer text: one paragraph = one task point.
35–65 min	Write the longer text.
65–75 min	Check: task points, word count, endings, capital letters, vocative.

Don't start writing the final version without a plan. The most common reason for losing points is a missing task point, and a plan almost completely eliminates it.

How to choose a set

• Choose a whole set, not one topic — both tasks must be clear to you.
• Pick the form you've practised most.
• Avoid topics where you don't know the key vocabulary.

More: Letter or story? Choosing your Polish B1 writing task.

The 7 most common mistakes

1. A missing task point.
2. Nominative instead of vocative in the greeting: Cześć Marek! → Cześć Marku!
3. Mixing styles — formal greeting, informal sign-off.
4. Gender in the past tense: ona poszedł → ona poszła; oni przyszły → oni przyszli.
5. Instrumental case: jestem student → jestem studentem.
6. No paragraphs — the text is hard to read.
7. Too few or far too many words.

How to practise writing before the exam

1. Write by hand — there's no computer or autocorrect in the exam.
2. Time yourself — 75 minutes for two texts is less than it sounds.
3. Use official sample papers — the State Commission publishes them at certyfikatpolski.pl.
4. Get every text checked — without feedback you keep repeating the same mistakes.

Check your text in 5 seconds

Write a text in Polish on paper, take a photo and upload it to Oceń Tekst. You'll get a 0–15 score on the three criteria, a list of mistakes with corrections, and explanations in English of what to review before the exam.