Czech Exam Speaking Part — Format and Scoring
5 min read
Speaking is the only part of the Czech exam where the format itself changes between levels: at A2 you speak one-on-one with the examiner, while at B1 you speak in a pair with another candidate — these are two genuinely different formats, not just two difficulty levels of the same task.
Below you'll find what the speaking part consists of at each level, how long it takes, how it's scored, and how to actually prepare for it — including what you can and can't practice on your own.
A2 vs. B1 speaking at a glance
| A2 (permanent residence) | B1 (citizenship) | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | solo — candidate + examiner | in pairs — two candidates + examiner |
| Length | 15 minutes | 15–18 minutes |
| Points | 40 (total for speaking) | 25 (18 task + 3 interaction + 4 phonology) |
| Tasks | questions and answers, 2 role-plays, picture-based storytelling, problem-solving, phonetics | speaking task, interaction between the pair, phonology |
| Pass threshold | 60% of 40 points (≥ 24) | 60% of 25 points (≥ 15), within the exam's overall 60% rule |
For a full breakdown of points and pass thresholds for both exams, see What the Czech A2 and B1 exams look like
A2 — solo speaking, four tasks
At A2 you speak alone with the examiner, for a total of 15 minutes. The exam has four main parts:
- Questions and answers. The examiner asks about everyday topics — family, housing, work, your daily routine. You answer in simple but complete sentences.
- Two role-plays. You act out a common everyday situation (e.g. at a shop, at the doctor's, at an office) — the examiner plays the other role.
- Picture-based storytelling. You're given a set of pictures and describe or narrate the story they show.
- Problem-solving. You respond to a given problem or situation and propose a solution.
Phonetics — pronunciation and intelligibility, not just grammatical accuracy — is also part of the scoring.
Speaking points are counted separately from the written parts: you need at least 60% of 40 points (i.e. 24 points), regardless of how you do in reading, writing, and listening.
B1 — paired speaking, three components
At B1 speaking has a different format: two candidates speak together in front of the examiner (or sometimes two examiners), for a total of 15–18 minutes. Scoring is split into three components:
- Speaking task (18 points) — an individual oral presentation on a given topic, usually with preparation time.
- Interaction (3 points) — how the two candidates communicate with each other, respond to one another, and carry a dialogue.
- Phonology (4 points) — pronunciation, intonation, fluency.
25 points total, and you need at least 60% (i.e. 15 points) — within the exam's overall requirement of scoring 60% in each individual part as well as overall.
Because this is a paired format, how you respond to the other candidate is also assessed — not just what you say on your own. This is a fundamental difference from A2 and needs a different kind of preparation.
How to prepare for the speaking part
Phrases for structuring your answer. Learn a handful of general-purpose connectors and phrases that will help you sound more fluent, even when you're unsure of the grammar:
- Giving an opinion: "I think that…", "In my opinion…"
- Sequencing: "First…, then…, finally…"
- Responding to your partner (B1): "I agree, but…", "That's interesting, I'd say…", "What do you think about it?"
- Buying yourself time to think: "That's a good question…", "Let me think for a moment…"
Phonetics counts. In both exams, pronunciation is a separately scored component, not an afterthought. It's worth specifically training sounds that Czech has and your native language may not — for example ř, the soft ť/ď/ň, and vowel length (the difference between byt and být). Listen and repeat out loud, not just read silently.
Structuring your answer. For the picture-based storytelling or the B1 speaking task, it helps to have a simple outline in mind — introduction (what it's about), development (what's happening and why), conclusion (a summary or opinion) — rather than a free flow of sentences.
Record yourself. Listening back to your own speech reveals pronunciation and pacing mistakes you don't notice while speaking.
B1 is paired — how to practice interaction without a partner
This is the most common gap in B1 preparation: most self-study tools (including AI-based practice) are solo — you record a monologue and get feedback. That's a useful foundation for fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation, but it doesn't replace practicing real interaction — responding to a partner in real time, building on their answer, and handling disagreement or follow-up.
We recommend combining:
- AI-scored monologue training on this site — solid preparation for the individual speaking task, pronunciation, and fluency. You record an answer, the AI scores it and shows you where you're making mistakes.
- Find a practice partner — a classmate from your course, someone else preparing for the exam, or a language exchange (tandem) partner. Try acting out the assigned topics out loud together, including responding and disagreeing.
- If you don't have a partner, at least record the questions on your phone and answer them out loud as if someone were sitting across from you — better than nothing, but keep in mind it won't replace live interaction.
Let's be honest about this: our AI speaking prep is a valuable building block, but it doesn't fully simulate the B1 paired format on its own.
Where to practice
Before you sit the real exam, try our sample tests in the actual exam format — they include a preview of the speaking tasks for both A2 and B1. For solo speaking practice with AI feedback, use monologue training. For a full overview of both exams, see What the Czech A2 and B1 exams look like, and for a prep plan see How to prepare for the Czech exam.
The speaking part's format, points, and scoring criteria may be updated over time. Always check the current conditions on the official websites before registering: cestina-pro-cizince.cz (A2) and ÚJOP UK (B1). This text does not constitute legal advice.