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What is the TEG B1 Exam – And Why You Might Need It for College

If you’re hoping to study primary teaching or certain Irish-medium degrees in Ireland, you may have heard about the TEG exam – but what exactly is it?

Let’s break it down so you know what it is, who needs it, and how to prepare.

What is the TEG Exam?

TEG stands for Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge – the European Certificate in Irish. It’s an Irish language proficiency test offered by Maynooth University, and it’s designed to assess your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Irish.

The exam has different levels (A1 to C1), and the B1 level is often required for people going into careers where Irish is used day-to-day – especially in education.

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Who Needs to Do the TEG B1?

You need to sit the TEG B1 exam if you are applying to:

🟢 CM003 – Baitsiléir san Oideachas trí Mheán na Gaeilge (Primary Teaching through Irish) – Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick

🟢 CM004 – Baitsiléir san Oideachas in Education and Psychology – Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick

These courses are taught entirely through Irish, and because graduates are expected to teach in Irish-medium primary schools (like Gaelscoileanna), you need to show that you can confidently use Irish in everyday and educational contexts.

To secure your place, you must pass the TEG B1 oral exam (speaking component). It’s usually held in April or May, so timing is important – especially for your CAO application.