Sprechen is the speaking module of the Goethe-Zertifikat. Its format changes more than any other module: A1 is a group exam, A2 to C1 are pair exams, and C2 is an individual exam with the examiner as your discussion partner. From B1 you get preparation time once for the whole module and may take notes.
| Level | Time | Teile | Items / tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 15 min | 3 | 3 Teile | 15 raw points (3 + 6 + 6) |
| A2 | 15 min (pair), 10 min (single) | 3 | 3 Teile | 25 points (4 + 8 + 8 + 5 pronunciation) |
| B1 | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | 3 | 3 Teile | 100 points (28 + 40 + 16 + 16 pronunciation) |
| B2 | about 15 min (pair), about 10 min (single) + 15 min preparation | 2 | 2 Teile | 100 points (44 + 40 + 16 pronunciation) |
| C1 | about 20 min (pair), about 15 min (single) + 20 min preparation | 2 | 2 Teile | 100 points (52 + 32 + 16 pronunciation) |
| C2 | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | 2 | 2 Teile | 40 points × 2.5 = 100 |
| Level | Format | Time | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Group (up to 4 candidates, 2 examiners) | 15 min | none |
| A2 | Pair (single possible) | 15 min (single 10) | none |
| B1 | Pair (single possible) | about 15 min | 15 min |
| B2 | Pair (single possible) | about 15 min (single about 10) | 15 min |
| C1 | Pair (single possible) | about 20 min (single about 15) | 20 min |
| C2 | Individual (1 candidate, 2 examiners) | about 15 min | 15 min |
Two examiners rate independently on fixed criteria. A short introduction at the start (A2, B1, C2) is not rated.
Time
15 min
Teile
3
Items / tasks
3 Teile
Points
15 raw points (3 + 6 + 6)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Sich vorstellen Introduce yourself Sample task | 1 turn each | Introduce yourself using keywords (Name? Alter? Land? Wohnort? Sprachen? Beruf? Hobby?), then spell a name or place and say a number (phone, house number, postcode). About 80 seconds per candidate. | 3 |
| Teil 2 | Um Informationen bitten und Informationen geben Ask for and give information Sample task | 2 topics | Each candidate draws a card per topic (topic + one keyword, e.g. “Einkaufen – Stadtplan”), asks a partner a question and answers the partner’s question. About 60 seconds per candidate. | 6 |
| Teil 3 | Bitten formulieren und darauf reagieren Make a request and respond Sample task | 2 rounds | Cards show pictures of everyday objects. Make a request (“Geben Sie mir bitte …”) and react to your partner’s request, in words or by an action. | 6 |
Group exam: up to four candidates and two examiners. No preparation time.
Time
15 min (pair), 10 min (single)
Teile
3
Items / tasks
3 Teile
Points
25 points (4 + 8 + 8 + 5 pronunciation)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Fragen zur Person Questions about yourself Sample task | 4 cards | Each candidate gets four keyword cards (Geburtstag? Wohnort? Beruf? Hobby? …), asks four questions and answers the partner’s questions. About 3 minutes. | 4 |
| Teil 2 | Von sich erzählen Talk about yourself Sample task | 1 card | A card with a question (e.g. “Was machen Sie mit Ihrem Geld?”) and four keyword prompts. Talk about your own life; the examiner asks one or two follow-up questions. About 3 minutes per candidate. | 8 |
| Teil 3 | Etwas planen / aushandeln Plan something together Sample task | 1 task | Both candidates get a different diary page for the same day and must find a time to do something together (for example buy a present). About 5 minutes. | 8 |
Pair exam, no preparation time. A short introduction (about 1 minute) is not rated.
Time
about 15 min + 15 min preparation
Teile
3
Items / tasks
3 Teile
Points
100 points (28 + 40 + 16 + 16 pronunciation)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Gemeinsam etwas planen Plan something together Sample task | 4 guiding points | Plan something with your partner (for example a trip) along four guiding points: when, how to get there, where to stay, what to take. | about 3 min | 28 |
| Teil 2 | Ein Thema präsentieren Present a topic Sample task | 5 slides | Choose one of two topics and present it along five slides: introduce the topic and structure, your own experience, the situation in your home country, pros and cons with your opinion, conclusion and thanks. | about 3 min | 40 |
| Teil 3 | Über ein Thema sprechen Discuss the presentation | feedback + 1 question | React to feedback and questions on your presentation, and give feedback on your partner’s presentation and ask one question. | about 2 min | 16 |
Pair exam (single possible). 15 minutes of preparation alone, once for the module; notes are allowed. The introduction is not rated.
Time
about 15 min (pair), about 10 min (single) + 15 min preparation
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 Teile
Points
100 points (44 + 40 + 16 pronunciation)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Vortrag halten Give a short talk Sample task | 1 of 2 topics | Choose one of two topics with three bullet points (describe alternatives, pros and cons with your evaluation, describe one in detail). Introduction, main part, conclusion. Then your partner and the examiner ask questions. | about 4 min per candidate | 44 |
| Teil 2 | Diskussion führen Hold a discussion Sample task | 1 question | A debate-club question (e.g. “Sollen Studierende ihre Professoren beurteilen?”): exchange arguments, react to your partner, summarise the arguments for and against. Four helper keywords are given. | about 5 min together | 40 |
15 minutes of preparation, once for the module; notes are allowed.
Time
about 20 min (pair), about 15 min (single) + 20 min preparation
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 Teile
Points
100 points (52 + 32 + 16 pronunciation)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Vortrag halten Give a talk Sample task | 1 of 2 topics | Choose one of two topics: a question, a short input paragraph and four bullet points (for example give an example, argue for or against, measures, a proposal). Cover all four points. About 5 minutes of talk and 2 minutes of questions. | about 7 min per candidate | 52 |
| Teil 2 | Diskussion führen Hold a discussion Sample task | 1 situation | A situation, a short input text (for example a news item) and four bullet points (comment, justify, the situation in your home country, agree on arguments). | about 5 min together | 32 |
20 minutes of preparation (pair and single), once for the module. The exam opens with a short introduction of about 1 minute.
Time
about 15 min + 15 min preparation
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 Teile
Points
40 points × 2.5 = 100
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Produktion Seminar talk | 1 of 2 topics | Choose one of two topics (e.g. “Die Bedeutung von Heimat”) and give a structured seminar talk weighing viewpoints, with three quotations as orientation and your own examples and position. About 5 minutes of talk and 2–3 minutes of questions. | about 10 min | 20 × 2.5 |
| Teil 2 | Interaktion Discussion with the examiner | 1 of 2 topics | Choose one of two topics (e.g. “Hat die gedruckte Zeitung eine Zukunft?”), pick the pro or contra statement and start the discussion with the examiner: defend your opinion, react and try to convince. | about 5 min | 20 × 2.5 |
Individual exam: one candidate, two examiners. 15 minutes of preparation for both parts. The introduction (2–3 minutes) is not rated.
Sample tasks with answers or model answers are on the Goethe Sprechen samples page. How points are counted and converted is on the Goethe Sprechen scoring page, and common questions are answered in the Sprechen FAQ. The whole exam is summarised on the Goethe-Zertifikat format page.
For timed practice of every Teil with instant scoring and feedback from AI trained by our experts, use the Goethe practice section or sit a full Goethe mock test.
Written by Kirill O'Nayd
Language test expert and educator at TestSucceed. He works through the official Goethe-Institut model papers for every level from A1 to C2, part by part, and explains how each module awards its points. See all TestSucceed preparation materials.