“Almost Like a Local”: How to Pass the Polish Language Certification Exam at C1 Level – Practical Tips
Planning to study in Poland but worried about the high tuition fees?
It’s a myth that all foreigners must pay for their studies! With a C1 Polish language certificate, you can study full-time at public universities completely free of charge. This certificate proves an advanced command of Polish — practically at a native-speaker level. It’s a huge advantage not only when applying to universities but also in work and business.
Sounds great? Of course!
But keep in mind: the C1 exam is much harder than B1 or B2. So how do you prepare and pass it successfully?
In this article, you’ll find the most important tips and tried-and-tested strategies!
1. Keep track of deadlines!
Check certyfikatpolski.pl regularly. The C1 exam is held much less frequently than B1 or B2 — usually only twice a year. Register early, as places fill up quickly. On the website, you’ll also find a list of official exam centers.
2. Listen more!
The listening section may seem easy… until you face topics like bacteria and microorganisms! At C1, you may encounter completely new and unfamiliar content, which can cause stress. Remember: it’s a language exam, not a professional test. Focus on completing the tasks and writing down answers, not on understanding every detail.
Use extra study materials too. A great resource is Elżbieta Zarych’s “Nadstaw ucha!” — it offers both practice tasks and texts that broaden your general knowledge.
3. Master the grammar!
By C1 level, you’re expected to know practically all grammar topics: comparatives, noun declension, verb conjugation (including irregular ones) in all tenses, imperative and conditional moods, collective numerals, gender distinctions, complex sentences, participles, verbal nouns, and much more.
Before the exam, check for gaps in your knowledge. If you notice weaknesses in a mock test — don’t ignore them! Focus on grammar. Ideally, enroll in a C1 course where a teacher can guide you and prepare you specifically for the exam.
👉 Contact us — we’ll help you get ready!
4. Don’t overuse the draft sheet!
You’ll get a draft sheet during the exam, but use it only when necessary. Time flies, and you don’t want to fail just because you couldn’t copy your answers in time. Write as much as possible directly in the answer sheet — corrections and markings are allowed, as long as they’re clear for the examiner.
5. Time is money!
You have just 60 minutes for the reading section, and the tasks are numerous. Read each text only once and don’t go back. If you encounter an unknown word, guess from context and move on. Don’t get stuck on one question — it’s better to mark an answer at random than leave it blank. Work steadily, without breaks. Strategy and speed are key here!
6. Think broadly!
This advice applies not only to the exam but to life in general. In the writing section, you may face tasks ranging from comparing education systems to essays on overcoming challenges. Topics can cover virtually anything. That’s why it’s useful to explore subjects related to culture, science, and society during preparation.
7. Idioms matter!
Although this tip is often given for the C2 exam, idioms also appear at C1. Speaking “like a native” means mastering colloquial and idiomatic expressions. The good news: many Polish idioms are very similar to Russian or Ukrainian ones, which makes them easier to learn.
Helpful books include:
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“Co raz wejdzie do głowy…” by Anna Pięcińska
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“Szukać dziury w całym…” by Lucyna Kasjanowicz