DTZ Lesen: All 5 Reading Parts — Formats, Timing, Strategy

How DTZ Reading is Structured

Lesen is the longest module of the written part: 45 minutes for 25 tasks in 5 parts. There is enough time, but only with the right technique: in DTZ, texts are not read “like a book” — you look for the answer to a specific question. First the question, then the text, and only those parts that answer the question.

All 5 parts are very different in format — from searching by table of contents to grammatical gaps. This is good news: there is a separate technique for each part, and they all train quickly. Bad news for the “intuitive” approach: without knowing the formats, even a strong student loses time and points on mechanics.

You cannot use a dictionary. But it is not needed: the tasks are structured so that they are solved by understanding the situation, not every word. An unfamiliar word in the text is normal and almost always does not prevent you from finding the answer.

Five Parts: Formats and Technique

1. Teil 1 — Directories and Tables of Contents (5 tasks)

   Course catalog, phone directory, brochure table of contents: you need to find the correct section or page for the situation. Technique: read the situation, highlight the key condition (for whom? what is needed?) and look for the section that covers exactly that. If there is no ideal one, there is an option “no suitable one”.

2. Teil 2 — Advertisements for Situations (5 tasks)

   5 situations, 8 advertisements a–h, one advertisement may not suit anyone — then the answer is X. Classic trap: the advertisement contains words from the situation, but does not fulfill its condition (looking for morning work — offering evening work). We have a separate detailed guide for this part — with examples and elimination technique.

3. Teil 3 — Informational Texts (6 tasks)

   Short texts: house rules, information from school, newspaper article. “richtig/falsch” formats and choosing an answer from three. Trap: the statement rephrases the text, and incorrect options use words FROM the text. Check the meaning, not the words.

4. Teil 4 — Official Letter (3 tasks)

   Letter from a Behörde, insurance, or Vermieter — formal German with bureaucratic phrases. richtig/falsch statements. Don't be afraid of long words: look for WHAT is required from the recipient, BY WHAT deadline, and WHAT will happen if not done — questions are almost always about this.

5. Teil 5 — Sprachbausteine, Text with Gaps (6 tasks)

   A short letter with 6 gaps, with three options for each: prepositions, pronouns, verb forms, conjunctions. This is the only “grammatical” part of the exam. It is solved quickly — leave it for the end, but don't forget: 6 easy points in 5 minutes.

Timing: How to Allocate 45 Minutes

Guideline: Teil 1 and 2 — 8–10 minutes each, Teil 3 — 10 minutes, Teil 4 — 7–8 minutes, Teil 5 — 5 minutes, and 3–5 minutes buffer for transferring answers and debatable points. If a task took more than two minutes — choose the best of the remaining options and move on.

The order can be changed: many find it more convenient to start with Teil 5 (quick points) or Teil 4, while the mind is fresh for formal language. During practice, try both orders and fix yours — it's too late to experiment during the exam.

There should be no empty answers: points are not deducted for incorrect answers, so at the end, go through the sheet and fill in all gaps, even if by guessing.

How to Prepare

Reading is the part that improves fastest with format training: the “question → condition search” technique can be mastered in a couple of weeks of daily 15-minute sessions. Start with Teil 2 and Teil 5 — they are the most “technical”, then add informational texts and official letters.

Our trainer includes all 5 parts of DTZ Lesen: real formats, a timer, analysis of each answer with an explanation of why the correct option is correct and why the trap is a trap. Plus a separate mode for Sprachbausteine and ending practice.