Polish Writing Exam: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

The writing section of the Polish certification exam is where your preparation either pays off or falls apart. Unlike multiple-choice sections, there is nowhere to hide — the examiner reads your actual text and evaluates it against specific criteria. The good news is that the format is predictable, and with a clear method, you can consistently produce texts that pass. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to approach the writing section.

Step 1: Read the task carefully — twice. Every writing task gives you a scenario and specific points to address. At B1, you might be asked to write a letter to a landlord about a problem in your apartment, mentioning what the problem is, when it started, and what you expect them to do. At B2, you might write an opinion piece about remote work, presenting arguments for and against. Underline the specific requirements. The examiner checks each one with a checklist — miss a required point and you lose marks regardless of how well you write.

Step 2: Choose the correct register and plan your structure. If the task involves writing to an institution, employer, or official — use formal register (Szanowny Panie/Szanowna Pani, uprzejmie proszę, z poważaniem). If it is a letter to a friend — use informal (Cześć, buziaki). Then outline your paragraphs: greeting, introduction (state the purpose), 2–3 body paragraphs (each addressing one required point), closing (summary or request), farewell formula. Spending 5 minutes on this plan saves you from structural problems later.

Step 3: Write the body using linking phrases. Polish formal writing expects explicit connections between ideas. Start paragraphs with markers: 'Po pierwsze' (Firstly), 'Ponadto' (Moreover), 'Niestety' (Unfortunately), 'W związku z tym' (Therefore). Within paragraphs, use 'ponieważ' (because), 'jednak' (however), 'mimo to' (despite that). These phrases signal textual competence and can raise your score even if your grammar is not perfect. Aim for 3–5 linking phrases per text.

Step 4: Check the required length and leave time for proofreading. B1 texts should be 120–150 words; B2 texts 200–250 words. Going significantly over or under the target can cost marks. In the last 10 minutes, read through your text specifically checking: (1) Did I address all required points? (2) Are my verb tenses consistent? (3) Are my case endings correct after prepositions? (4) Did I maintain the correct register throughout? Fix obvious errors — a corrected mistake scores better than an uncorrected one.

Common phrases that appear in almost every formal letter and are worth memorizing: 'Zwracam się z prośbą o...' (I am writing to request...), 'Pragnę poinformować, że...' (I would like to inform you that...), 'Byłbym wdzięczny/Byłabym wdzięczna za...' (I would be grateful for...), 'W odpowiedzi na Państwa pismo...' (In response to your letter...), 'Oczekuję odpowiedzi w ciągu...' (I expect a response within...), 'Z poważaniem' (Yours faithfully). Having these phrases memorized means you can produce a well-structured formal letter even under time pressure.