Schreiben is the writing module of the Goethe-Zertifikat. Every level asks for real-life texts with a given purpose and reader — a form and a short note at A1, e-mails at A2 and B1, forum posts and formal messages at B2 and C1, a rewriting task and a 350-word text at C2 — and every task lists the content points you must cover.
| Level | Time | Teile | Items / tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 20 min | 2 | 2 tasks | 15 raw points (5 + 10) |
| A2 | 30 min | 2 | 2 tasks | 20 raw points (10 + 10) |
| B1 | 60 min | 3 | 3 tasks | 100 points (40 + 40 + 20) |
| B2 | 75 min | 2 | 2 tasks | 100 points (60 + 40) |
| C1 | 75 min | 2 | 2 tasks | 100 points (60 + 40) |
| C2 | 80 min | 2 | 2 tasks | 100 points (20 + 80) |
Texts are rated by two independent raters on fixed criteria, and the mean is taken. From A2 upwards, a text that fails the task (criterion Erfüllung rated E, or 0 at C2) scores 0 for the whole task, so covering every content point is the first priority.
Time
20 min
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 tasks
Points
15 raw points (5 + 10)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Formular Fill in a form Sample task | 5 fields | A short text describes a friend’s situation; you fill in the five missing fields of a form (number, place, date and so on). 1 point per correct field. | 5 |
| Teil 2 | Kurzmitteilung Short message Sample task | about 30 words | A short e-mail, letter or note on three guiding points (why you are writing, a request, a question), one or two sentences each, with greeting and closing. | 10 |
Only the module time is set at this level; divide it between the two tasks yourself.
Time
30 min
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 tasks
Points
20 raw points (10 + 10)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Persönliche Nachricht (SMS) Personal text message Sample task | 20–30 words | A text message to a friend covering three guiding points (for example: apologise for being late, say why, suggest a new place and time). | 10 |
| Teil 2 | Halbformelle E-Mail Semi-formal e-mail Sample task | 30–40 words | A semi-formal e-mail (for example to your boss: thank and accept, ask to bring someone, ask the way) covering three guiding points. | 10 |
Only the module time is set at this level; divide it between the two tasks yourself.
Time
60 min
Teile
3
Items / tasks
3 tasks
Points
100 points (40 + 40 + 20)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Persönliche E-Mail Informal e-mail to a friend Sample task | about 80 words | Three guiding points (describe, give reasons, make a suggestion). Mind the structure: greeting, introduction, the points in order, closing. | 20 min | 40 |
| Teil 2 | Diskussionsbeitrag Opinion post in an online guest book Sample task | about 80 words | React to a comment on a TV discussion topic and give your opinion. | 25 min | 40 |
| Teil 3 | Halbformelle E-Mail Semi-formal e-mail Sample task | about 40 words | Apologise, ask or inform (for example to your course leader). Do not forget the greeting and the closing. | 15 min | 20 |
Time
75 min
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 tasks
Points
100 points (60 + 40)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Forumsbeitrag Opinion post in a forum Sample task | about 150 words | Give your opinion on a topic covering four content points (opinion, reasons, alternatives, advantages). Remember an introduction and a conclusion. | 50 min | 60 |
| Teil 2 | Halbformelle Nachricht Semi-formal message Sample task | about 100 words | A message (for example to your supervisor) covering four content points in any order. Do not forget greeting and closing. | 25 min | 40 |
Time
75 min
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 tasks
Points
100 points (60 + 40)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Diskussionsbeitrag (Forum) Forum contribution Sample task | about 230 words | A contribution to an online forum (for example “Studieren – aber was?”) covering four bullet points (explain criteria, argue with an example, reasons against, an alternative). | 50 min | 60 |
| Teil 2 | Formelle E-Mail / Beschwerde Formal e-mail or complaint Sample task | about 120 words | A formal or semi-formal e-mail or complaint (for example to a supervisor) covering four bullet points. The rating focuses on the content points, correctness and how the text is linked. | 25 min | 40 |
Time
80 min
Teile
2
Items / tasks
2 tasks
Points
100 points (20 + 80)
| Teil | Task | Items | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Umformungen Rewrite passages of a short talk | 10 | Rewrite ten marked passages of a short talk using the given word, which must not be changed, and make all necessary changes. 2, 1 or 0 points each. | 20 min | 20 |
| Teil 2 | Freie Textproduktion Extended text, 1 of 4 topics Sample task | about 350 words | Choose one of four topics: two free topics (for example a letter or e-mail to an editorial office responding to three quoted statements) and two literature topics (a book review on a title from the annual reading list). | 60 min | 80 |
Sample tasks with answers or model answers are on the Goethe Schreiben samples page. How points are counted and converted is on the Goethe Schreiben scoring page, and common questions are answered in the Schreiben 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.