Step 1 on Cracking Polish B1 Exam

Preparing for the Polish B1 exam requires not just understanding grammar but also expanding your vocabulary. After completing all the basic lessons, I realized that while I had a good grasp of the language, I still lacked a strong foundation in essential verbs. Since verbs are the backbone of any language, I decided to dedicate a focused effort on memorizing 300-400 Polish verbs—an intense yet effective strategy that significantly boosted my fluency. Here’s exactly how I did it and how you can follow the same approach.

1. The Importance of Learning Verbs

Verbs are essential in forming sentences, expressing actions, and understanding grammar rules. Without a strong verb foundation, speaking and writing in Polish becomes difficult. Since the B1 exam includes sections that test writing, speaking, and listening, knowing a broad range of verbs helps in all these areas.

Why focus on verbs?

• Verbs help in structuring sentences effectively.
• They play a key role in perfective vs. imperfective aspects (important for B1 level).
• Expanding verb knowledge enhances listening comprehension in conversations.
• It makes speaking more natural and fluent.

2. The Verb List I Used

I compiled a list of 300-400 essential verbs. While not every verb form was perfect, it served as an excellent starting point. The list covered:

• Communication verbs (mówić – to speak, słuchać – to listen, pytać – to ask)
• Common action verbs (jeść – to eat, pić – to drink, chodzić – to walk)
• Emotional and mental verbs (czuć – to feel, rozumieć – to understand, myśleć – to think)
• Daily routine verbs (wstawać – to wake up, pracować – to work, gotować – to cook)
• Travel-related verbs (jechać – to go by vehicle, lecieć – to fly, rezerwować – to book)

If you want to download the list of 300 verbs, please follow the link below.

Download here!

3. My Memorization Strategy

I used a dual approach to commit these verbs to memory:

A. Traditional Flashcards (Handwritten)

• I wrote each verb on one side of a small flashcard and its English meaning on the other.
• Grouped them into sets of 50 and reviewed each group before moving on.
• Used a “testing cycle” where I tested myself after every 10-15 minutes of review.

B. Flashcard App (Digital Method)

• I loaded the verb list into a flashcard app (such as Anki or Quizlet).
• The app’s spaced repetition system (SRS) helped reinforce difficult words.
• Used the app on the go—whenever I had free time, I quickly reviewed verbs.

4. Execution: A 3-Day Plan

Here’s how I broke down my learning process:

Day 1: Absorbing the Basics

• Memorized 100-150 verbs using both the flashcard methods.
• Practiced pronouncing each verb aloud to reinforce auditory memory.
• Wrote 10 simple sentences using new verbs to see them in context.

Day 2: Strengthening Recall

• Focused on another 150 verbs, reviewing old ones as well.
• Started recognizing patterns in conjugation (which made learning easier).
• Did quick recall exercises—mentally translating verbs from English to Polish and vice versa.

Day 3: Full Review and Final Testing

• Completed the full 400-verb set and did an intense review.
• Asked myself to use the verbs in spoken sentences, pretending to explain a story.
• Practiced using them in perfective/imperfective pairs to understand verb aspects.
• Self-tested using flashcards until I could recall 90%+ correctly.

5. The Results and Takeaways

After three days, I felt a huge improvement in my ability to form sentences quickly and understand spoken Polish better. By committing to this intensive approach: ✔ I learned 300-400 new verbs in record time. ✔ I could speak and write with more fluency in Polish. ✔ I gained confidence for the B1 exam’s speaking and writing sections. ✔ I built a habit of active recall, which made remembering Polish words easier long-term.

6. How You Can Do It Too

If you’re preparing for the Polish B1 exam, I highly recommend dedicating a weekend or 3-4 days to memorizing essential verbs. Here’s how you can adapt my method: 1️⃣ Gather a list of common verbs (Use my list or create your own.) 2️⃣ Use both paper and digital flashcards for active recall. 3️⃣ Break learning into small chunks (100-150 words per day). 4️⃣ Practice saying sentences out loud to reinforce usage. 5️⃣ Keep testing yourself until the words become second nature.

By following this plan, you’ll build a solid foundation in Polish verbs—a key step toward passing the B1 exam with confidence! 💪🇵🇱

Are you ready to challenge yourself? Grab a notebook, download a flashcard app, and start memorizing! Let me know if you’d like the full list of verbs I used. Happy learning! 🎉