Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor in an electrical hand-held tool, such as an electric screwdriver, battery-powered drill or the like, the electric motor being operated during the operating phase (17) at a first rotation speed, which can possibly be preset variably, until a preset limiting torque is reached. On reaching the limiting torque, the electric motor is switched to a further operating phase, which lasts until the electric motor is switched off manually by the user. In this further operating phase, a final torque (20), which is interrupted periodically by torque pauses (19), is exerted by the electric motor. A circuit arrangement for implementation of this method is also described.