Overview: A1 vs B1
| Feature | A1 (Permanent Residence) | B1 (Citizenship) |
|---------|--------------------------|-------------------|
| Purpose | Required for PR application | Required for citizenship |
| Level | Basic | Intermediate |
| Fee | ~3,300 CZK | ~3,700 CZK |
| Duration | ~60 minutes | ~155 minutes |
| Pass mark | 60% | 60% in each section |
| Sections | Reading, writing, listening, speaking | Reading, writing, listening, speaking |
| Provider | UJOP (Charles University) | UJOP (Charles University) |
| Booking | cestina-pro-cizince.cz | cestina-pro-cizince.cz |
A1 exam details
The A1 level means you can understand and use basic everyday expressions.Introduce yourself and others Ask and answer questions about personal details (name, age, address) Interact in a simple way if the other person speaks slowly Understand very short, simple texts (signs, notices, forms) Write short notes and fill in forms Reading (~20 min): Match texts to pictures, fill in forms, simple comprehension Listening (~15 min): Short recordings of everyday situations Writing (~15 min): Fill in forms, write a short message Speaking (~10 min): Self-introduction, simple conversation with examiner Start 2–3 months before the exam Focus on everyday vocabulary: shopping, transport, doctor, post office Practice reading signs, menus, and simple notices in Czech Watch Czech children's TV (Večerníček, Pohádky) Use CzechPath's free A1 practice tests
What you should be able to do:
Exam format:
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B1 exam details
B1 level means you can deal with most everyday situations independently.Handle travel, work, and social situations Describe experiences, events, and plans Write coherent texts on familiar topics Understand the main points of clear standard speech Read factual texts about everyday and professional topics Reading (50 min): 5 tasks — text comprehension, cloze tests, matching Listening (35 min): 4 tasks — recordings of conversations, news, announcements Writing (60 min): 2 tasks — formal letter/email + informal message/essay Speaking (10 min): Self-introduction, picture description, conversation Start 4–6 months before the exam Read Czech news daily (iDNES, Novinky, ČT24) Listen to Czech radio (Český rozhlas) Practice writing formal emails and letters Join a Czech language course (many offered by Integration Centers) Use CzechPath's B1 practice tests with timed mode
What you should be able to do:
Exam format:
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Where to take the exam
Accredited exam centers (UJOP — Charles University):Prague: Albertov, Krystal, Na Florenci Brno: UJOP Brno Plzeň: UJOP Plzeň Olomouc: UJOP Olomouc České Budějovice: UJOP České Budějovice 1. Go to cestina-pro-cizince.cz 2. Register an account 3. Choose exam level (A1 or B1) and location 4. Select a date (exams run monthly) 5. Pay the fee online 6. Receive confirmation email with details Valid passport or residence card Booking confirmation Black pen
How to book:
Bring to the exam:
Exam exemptions
You are exempt from the A1 exam if:You are under 15 or over 65 You have a physical/mental disability preventing the exam You completed primary, secondary, or university education in Czech You already passed B1 or higher You completed secondary or university education in Czech You have a certificate from an accredited Czech language course at B1+ level Special humanitarian exemptions (rare)
You are exempt from the B1 exam if:
Note: Exemption must be documented and submitted with your PR/citizenship application.