How the module works
Pisanie takes 75 minutes and is worth 30 points; you need at least 15 points to pass. You choose one of three sets (I, II or III) and write both texts in it — task a and task b. You write the set number on the answer pages; draft paper is provided separately (April 2024 paper).
| Set | Task a (short) | Task b (long) |
|---|---|---|
| I | An invitation to a talk by a traveller, for a cultural centre’s website — 50 words | An e-mail to a friend in Poland about a language course you are unhappy with — 150 words |
| II | Holiday greetings to a colleague — 25 words | A competition entry about someone you met in Poland — 175 words |
| III | A social-media ad looking for a flatmate — 50 words | A concert review for a magazine — 150 words |
The official sample test has similar tasks: a note in the lift about a noisy party, inviting colleagues to a barbecue, a TV series review, a description of your employer. Everyday topics, no specialist knowledge.
How the 30 points are awarded
Each text is worth 15 points. Both are marked on three criteria, 10 points per criterion across the two texts (2024 paper):
| Criterion | What it covers | Points for both texts |
|---|---|---|
| Wykonanie zadania — task completion | Content (every point of the task), text form, length | 10 |
| Środki językowe — range of language | Vocabulary and phrases, sentence structure, style | 10 |
| Poprawność językowa — accuracy | Grammar, spelling and punctuation | 10 |
The short text: 25–50 words
A notice, invitation, greeting or message. Accuracy and form matter: a greeting, every point of the task, a signature. Here is a short text we wrote for this article (not an exam task):
Drodzy Sąsiedzi! W najbliższą sobotę o 10:00 zbieramy w holu ciepłe ubrania i koce dla schroniska dla zwierząt. Jeśli możecie pomóc, przynieście rzeczy czyste i w dobrym stanie. Z góry dziękuję! Marta z mieszkania nr 12Greeting, what and when, a request, thanks, signature — about 35 words, nothing extra. (It reads: "Dear neighbours! This Saturday at 10:00 we are collecting warm clothes and blankets in the hall for the animal shelter. If you can help, please bring clean things in good condition. Thank you in advance! Marta from flat 12.")
The long text: 150–175 words
A letter, story, review or description. A simple three-part structure works:
- Opening (2–3 sentences). Greeting and purpose: «Piszę, żeby opowiedzieć Ci o…», «Chciałabym zaprosić Państwa na…».
- Body (2–3 paragraphs). One paragraph per point of the task, with examples and linking words: «po pierwsze», «poza tym», «jednak», «dlatego».
- Closing. A conclusion or request and the right formula: «Czekam na Twoją odpowiedź», «Pozdrawiam serdecznie», «Z poważaniem».
Register: ty or Pan / Pani
To a friend: «Cześć Kasiu!», «Droga Aniu!», «Pozdrawiam / Ściskam». Formal: «Szanowni Państwo», «Szanowna Pani», closing with «Z poważaniem». In letters to friends, «Ty» and «Twój» are traditionally often capitalised. Do not mix registers in one text — it costs style points.
Phrases that help
- Opinion: Moim zdaniem… · Uważam, że… · Wydaje mi się, że…
- Cause and effect: ponieważ · dlatego · w związku z tym · dzięki temu
- Contrast: jednak · ale · z jednej strony…, z drugiej strony…
- Suggestions and requests: Może spotkamy się…? · Czy mógłbyś…? · Proszę o…
- Recommending in a review: Polecam ten film, bo… · Nie polecam, ponieważ…
How to use the 75 minutes
- 5 minutes — choose the set where you know the words for both tasks, not the one with the most interesting topic.
- 15 minutes — the short text, with a check.
- 10 minutes — plan the long text point by point.
- 35 minutes — the long text.
- 10 minutes — copy out neatly and check endings, Polish letters (ą, ę, ł, ó, ś, ż, ź, ć, ń), every point of the task and the rough length.
Write in pen, legibly: pencils and correction fluid are not allowed (guidance for candidates). Cross out mistakes neatly.
How to practise
Write one short and one long text a week using tasks from past papers, and always have them checked: you will hardly spot your own mistakes, and repeated mistakes are half of the accuracy points. For the other exam parts, see the B1 speaking exam and the exam format.
