The Goethe-Zertifikat is the Goethe-Institut’s German exam, with one exam for each CEFR level from A1 to C2. Every level tests the same four modules — Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing) and Sprechen (speaking) — but the tasks, the timing and the way the result is put together change from level to level. This page covers the adult versions of all six exams.
Levels
A1 to C2
Modules
4 at every level
Pass mark
60 of 100
Modular
From B1
Lesen, Hören and Schreiben are written; Sprechen is an oral exam with two examiners. The exam is offered on paper at a test centre, digitally at a test centre (Lesen, Hören and Schreiben on a centre laptop with a German keyboard, Hören through headphones, answers typed and changeable until the module is submitted or the time ends) and online at home under set conditions. Structure, content and rating are identical in all three formats. In the digital format, Sprechen stays face to face.
The Fit in Deutsch and Jugendliche versions for younger candidates (A1 Fit 1, A2 Fit, B1 and B2 Jugendliche) are not covered here.
| Exam | CEFR | Modular | Written modules | Sprechen | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 | A1 | No | 65 min | 15 min | 60 of 100 points overall, and every part must be taken. Below 35 of the 75 written points a pass is no longer possible. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat A2 | A2 | No | 90 min | 15 min (pair), 10 min (single) | 60 of 100 points overall, and at least 45 of the 75 written points and at least 15 of the 25 Sprechen points. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | B1 | Yes | about 165 min | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | 60 of 100 points in each module. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat B2 | B2 | Yes | about 180 min | about 15 min (pair), about 10 min (single) + 15 min preparation | 60 of 100 points in each module. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat C1 | C1 | Yes | about 180 min | about 20 min (pair), about 15 min (single) + 20 min preparation | 60 of 100 points in each module. |
| Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom | C2 | Yes | about 195 min | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | 60 of 100 points in each module. |
| Module | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 25 min | 30 min | 65 min | 65 min | 65 min | 80 min |
| Hören | about 20 min | about 30 min | about 40 min | about 40 min | about 40 min | about 35 min |
| Schreiben | 20 min | 30 min | 60 min | 75 min | 75 min | 80 min |
| Sprechen | 15 min | 15 min | 15 min | 15 min | 20 min | 15 min |
Hören times are approximate because they include the recordings, pauses and repeats. Sprechen preparation time comes on top: none at A1 and A2, 15 minutes at B1, B2 and C2, 20 minutes at C1, taken once for the whole module.
Each module is divided into Teile (parts). After each Teil comes the number of items, or the length of the text you write.
Hören, Lesen and Schreiben are taken together in 65 minutes without a break; Sprechen is a group exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 25 min | Teil 1: Kurznotizen · 5 items Teil 2: Kleinanzeigen / Internetseiten · 5 items Teil 3: Hinweisschilder und Aushänge · 5 items | 15 raw points (1 per item) |
| Hören | about 20 min | Teil 1: Kurze Alltagsgespräche · 6 items Teil 2: Öffentliche Lautsprecherdurchsagen · 4 items Teil 3: Telefonansagen · 5 items | 15 raw points (1 per item) |
| Schreiben | 20 min | Teil 1: Formular · 5 fields Teil 2: Kurzmitteilung · about 30 words | 15 raw points (5 + 10) |
| Sprechen | 15 min | Teil 1: Sich vorstellen · 1 turn each Teil 2: Um Informationen bitten und Informationen geben · 2 topics Teil 3: Bitten formulieren und darauf reagieren · 2 rounds | 15 raw points (3 + 6 + 6) |
Lesen, Hören and Schreiben are taken together in 90 minutes; Sprechen is a pair exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 30 min | Teil 1: Informationen und Argumentationen in Medientexten verstehen · 5 items Teil 2: Informationstafeln, Veranstaltungsprogramme verstehen · 5 items Teil 3: Korrespondenz verstehen · 5 items Teil 4: Anzeigen verstehen · 5 items | 20 raw points (1 per item) |
| Hören | about 30 min | Teil 1: Kurze Hörtexte · 5 items Teil 2: Gespräch: Bilder zuordnen · 5 items Teil 3: Kurze Gespräche · 5 items Teil 4: Radiointerview · 5 items | 20 raw points (1 per item) |
| Schreiben | 30 min | Teil 1: Persönliche Nachricht (SMS) · 20–30 words Teil 2: Halbformelle E-Mail · 30–40 words | 20 raw points (10 + 10) |
| Sprechen | 15 min (pair), 10 min (single) | Teil 1: Fragen zur Person · 4 cards Teil 2: Von sich erzählen · 1 card Teil 3: Etwas planen / aushandeln · 1 task | 25 points (4 + 8 + 8 + 5 pronunciation) |
Lesen 65 min, Hören about 40 min, Schreiben 60 min (with breaks of at least 15 minutes between modules); Sprechen is a pair exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 65 min | Teil 1: Korrespondenz lesen · 6 items Teil 2: Information und Argumentation verstehen · 6 items Teil 3: Zur Orientierung lesen · 7 items Teil 4: Information und Argumentation · 7 items Teil 5: Schriftliche Anweisung verstehen · 4 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Hören | about 40 min | Teil 1: Kurze Texte · 10 items Teil 2: Monolog · 5 items Teil 3: Gespräch · 7 items Teil 4: Radiodiskussion · 8 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Schreiben | 60 min | Teil 1: Persönliche E-Mail · about 80 words Teil 2: Diskussionsbeitrag · about 80 words Teil 3: Halbformelle E-Mail · about 40 words | 100 points (40 + 40 + 20) |
| Sprechen | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | Teil 1: Gemeinsam etwas planen · 4 guiding points Teil 2: Ein Thema präsentieren · 5 slides Teil 3: Über ein Thema sprechen · feedback + 1 question | 100 points (28 + 40 + 16 + 16 pronunciation) |
Lesen 65 min, Hören about 40 min, Schreiben 75 min; Sprechen is a pair exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 65 min | Teil 1: Einstellungen und Haltungen verstehen · 9 items Teil 2: Informationen verstehen · 6 items Teil 3: Informationen verstehen · 6 items Teil 4: Standpunkte verstehen · 6 items Teil 5: Regeln und Instruktionen verstehen · 3 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Hören | about 40 min | Teil 1: Alltagsgespräche · 10 items Teil 2: Informationen verstehen · 6 items Teil 3: Aussagen verstehen · 6 items Teil 4: Vorträge verstehen · 8 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Schreiben | 75 min | Teil 1: Forumsbeitrag · about 150 words Teil 2: Halbformelle Nachricht · about 100 words | 100 points (60 + 40) |
| Sprechen | about 15 min (pair), about 10 min (single) + 15 min preparation | Teil 1: Vortrag halten · 1 of 2 topics Teil 2: Diskussion führen · 1 question | 100 points (44 + 40 + 16 pronunciation) |
Lesen 65 min, Hören about 40 min, Schreiben 75 min; Sprechen is a pair exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 65 min | Teil 1: Text mit Wörtern rekonstruieren · 8 items Teil 2: Informationsdichter Artikel · 7 items Teil 3: Kommentar mit Satzlücken · 8 items Teil 4: Fachbeiträge · 7 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Hören | about 40 min | Teil 1: Podcast über neue Bücher · 6 items Teil 2: Radiointerview · 9 items Teil 3: Diskussion in vier Abschnitten · 8 items Teil 4: Vortrag · 7 items | 30 raw points (1 per item) |
| Schreiben | 75 min | Teil 1: Diskussionsbeitrag (Forum) · about 230 words Teil 2: Formelle E-Mail / Beschwerde · about 120 words | 100 points (60 + 40) |
| Sprechen | about 20 min (pair), about 15 min (single) + 20 min preparation | Teil 1: Vortrag halten · 1 of 2 topics Teil 2: Diskussion führen · 1 situation | 100 points (52 + 32 + 16 pronunciation) |
Lesen 80 min, Hören about 35 min, Schreiben 80 min; Sprechen is an individual exam.
| Module | Time | Teile | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen | 80 min | Teil 1: Kommentar · 10 items Teil 2: Artikel · 6 items Teil 3: Bericht · 6 items Teil 4: Stellenanzeigen · 8 items | 100 points (40 + 18 + 18 + 24) |
| Hören | about 35 min | Teil 1: Radiosendungen · 15 items Teil 2: Gespräch · 5 items Teil 3: Interview · 10 items | 100 points (30 + 20 + 50) |
| Schreiben | 80 min | Teil 1: Umformungen · 10 items Teil 2: Freie Textproduktion · about 350 words | 100 points (20 + 80) |
| Sprechen | about 15 min + 15 min preparation | Teil 1: Produktion · 1 of 2 topics Teil 2: Interaktion · 1 of 2 topics | 40 points × 2.5 = 100 |
A1 and A2 are single exams scored out of 100. At A1 each of the four parts has 15 raw points, multiplied by 1.66 to 25; the written parts give 75 points and Sprechen 25. At A2 Lesen, Hören and Schreiben each have 20 raw points multiplied by 1.25 to 25, and Sprechen is worth 25.
B1 to C2 are modular: each module is scored out of 100 on its own. At B1, B2 and C1 Lesen and Hören have 30 items and the raw score is multiplied by 3.33; at C2 the items carry different weights. Schreiben and Sprechen are rated by two examiners against fixed criteria.
| Level | Modular | To pass | Retaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | No | 60 of 100 points overall, and every part must be taken. Below 35 of the 75 written points a pass is no longer possible. | Not modular: the exam can only be repeated as a whole. |
| A2 | No | 60 of 100 points overall, and at least 45 of the 75 written points and at least 15 of the 25 Sprechen points. | Not modular. Repeating only the written or only the oral part is possible in exceptional cases. |
| B1 | Yes | 60 of 100 points in each module. | Modular: each of the four modules can be taken and retaken on its own. |
| B2 | Yes | 60 of 100 points in each module. | Modular: each of the four modules can be taken and retaken on its own. |
| C1 | Yes | 60 of 100 points in each module. | Modular: each of the four modules can be taken and retaken on its own. |
| C2 | Yes | 60 of 100 points in each module. | Modular: each of the four modules can be taken and retaken on its own. |
| Points | Grade (German) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | sehr gut | very good |
| 80-89 | gut | good |
| 70-79 | befriedigend | satisfactory |
| 60-69 | ausreichend | sufficient |
| 0-59 | nicht bestanden | not passed |
The grade bands are the same at every level. Details per module are on the Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen scoring pages.
From B1 upwards, yes: B1, B2, C1 and C2 have four modules that are scored, passed and retaken separately. A1 and A2 are single exams.
60 of 100 points: per module from B1 upwards, and for the total at A1 and A2. At A2 you also need 45 of the 75 written points and 15 of the 25 Sprechen points.
No. Structure, content and rating are identical on paper, digitally at a centre and online. Only the way you enter answers changes.
A1 is a group exam, A2 to C1 are pair exams (a single format is possible), and C2 is an individual exam with the examiner as your discussion partner.
More questions are answered in the Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen FAQ pages.
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.