Comparison
B1 speaking practice with AI: ChatGPT, apps or a simulation?
B1 speaking practice with AI – with ChatGPT, an app, a tandem partner or a tutor? There are many ways to prepare for the B1 speaking exam. Here you see what each one offers and what a simulation at B1 Sprechen does differently: the real exam room, real feedback and nothing but the B1 speaking exam.
- 01
The real exam room
Two examiners, a partner as the second candidate – and you. First the preparation (Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min), then all three parts in the exam’s order and timing. One simulation is a whole exam.
- 02
Real feedback
The AI partner listens live, makes its own suggestions, responds to yours and plans with you. Afterwards the notes quote your own sentences, with timestamps – one click plays the moment. Instead of a grade: evidence and what to practise next.
- 03
Only B1 speaking
Not a platform for everything: only the B1 speaking exam. Goethe and telc each in their own format, with five task sets per exam.
Exam room and flow
| Who is in the room | Flow | One session is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Sprechen | Two AI examiners, an AI partner as the second candidate – and you, as in the real paired exam | Preparation (Goethe 15 min, telc 20 min), then all three parts in the exam’s order and timing | A complete speaking exam |
| ChatGPT and other AI chats | You and an AI chat; you set the examiner and partner roles yourself by prompt | No set exam flow; you organise tasks, timing and parts yourself | An open conversation |
| AI speaking apps (1:1) | You and one AI conversation partner (1:1) | Practice by task or part | One task or one conversation |
| Record-and-score apps | You alone at the microphone | Record single tasks | One task |
| Tandem partner | You and one person | Free conversation; you organise the exam flow yourself | One conversation |
| Private tutor | You and a teacher | Possible if the teacher plays examiner and partner | One lesson |
Conversation and feedback
| Responds to what you say | Feedback | Replay and transcript | |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Sprechen | Yes, live: the partner makes its own suggestions, responds to yours and plans with you | Notes that quote your own sentences, with timestamps – one click plays the moment | The whole recording to replay (30 days) and a transcript of every sentence |
| ChatGPT and other AI chats | Yes, as a general conversation partner | On request or as you instruct it | Chat history as text |
| AI speaking apps (1:1) | Yes | Often points or an estimate | Depends on the app |
| Record-and-score apps | No, the assessment comes after the recording | Points and notes on the recording | Your recording of the task |
| Tandem partner | Yes | Depends on the partner | Only if you record it yourself |
| Private tutor | Yes | Yes, depending on the teacher | Only if you record it yourself |
Focus, time and price
| Focus | When | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Sprechen | Only the B1 speaking exam: Goethe and telc, each in its own format | Any time, no appointment | From €5.98 per simulation, no subscription; one exam part free to try |
| ChatGPT and other AI chats | A general assistant for many topics | Any time | Free with limits or by subscription |
| AI speaking apps (1:1) | Often several levels and exams | Any time | Mostly by subscription |
| Record-and-score apps | Often all four skills | Any time | Mostly by subscription |
| Tandem partner | Everyday conversation | By appointment | Mostly free; half the time belongs to the other language |
| Private tutor | Depends on the teacher | By appointment | Mostly US$20–60 (about €18–53) per lesson on large online platforms1 |
1 Tutor prices: public price listings on large online tutoring platforms for German and exam preparation, checked on 2 October 2026; a lesson there usually lasts 50–60 minutes. Euro amounts converted at the ECB reference rate of 2 October 2026. Individual tutors charge more or less.
Try it yourself
Well-known tools compared
Questions
01Can I practise for the B1 speaking exam with ChatGPT?
Yes, for free conversation. You then set the exam flow – preparation, three parts, timing, examiners and partner – yourself by prompt. B1 Sprechen comes with that flow built in: two AI examiners, an AI partner and feedback that quotes your own sentences.
02What is the difference between an AI speaking app and B1 Sprechen?
Many apps practise 1:1 with one AI conversation partner, task by task. B1 Sprechen simulates the whole B1 speaking exam in the paired format: two examiners, a partner as the second candidate, all three parts in a row – the way you will experience it on exam day.
03Do I get a grade at B1 Sprechen?
Instead of a grade you get evidence: notes that quote your own sentences and name the moment in the conversation, plus what to practise next. Only the examiners on exam day give an official grade.