It is great to know German and to use it frequently. It is even better to be able to prove this with an official certificate. The Goethe-Institut examination certificates are internationally recognized as proof of qualification. Confirmation of participation in a German language course is often not enough, so register for the German exam at the Goethe-Institut of your choice.
Which German exam should I take, and where?
You may take the Goethe-Institut’s German exams after completing a Goethe language course, but this is not compulsory. If you have been in a German language course at the Goethe-Institut, you are already familiar with the classification of the difficulty levels. You can take an examination at each of the six levels: Levels A1 and A2 are for beginners in German, B1 and B2 build on this knowledge, C1 and C2 are the highest possible examinations. If you have learned German elsewhere, you can find out which examination level is right for you by taking an online test or a placement test at your local Goethe-Institut.
Exams for all levels are available at twelve locations in Germany. You can choose an examination that suits your preferred timetable or you can choose one of the dates of your preferred location.
Are you ready for the exam?
You don't want to leave anything to chance for your exam? Let the Goethe-Institut, the developer of the Goethe-Zertifikate, prepare you for your next German exam. Since every person learns differently, the Goethe-Institut offers different preparation formats. Depending on whether you prefer to prepare in a group with other examinees or individually online, you can choose between two preparation courses:
How taking a German exam works
Once you have chosen location and level, you can register for the exam. You can find the corresponding dates online and book them right away. Please note that the exams are not free of charge. However, if you have taken part in a German course at the Goethe-Institut or attended one of our German language summer programs for young people, we will grant you a discount.
For preparation, you will find practice material for listening, reading, writing and speaking for all levels on our website. The questions in the test have been developed by experts and were thoroughly checked before being used in our exams. Each test is assessed by two examiners, which gives us a high degree of reliability in terms of assessment and rules out discrimination. If you pass the exam, your certificate of the language level you have achieved will be sent to you, except for the above-mentioned locations, which will issue the certificate on the same day. Congratulations!
If you have not passed your German exam, you can repeat the full exam or possibly just some select parts of it. The details are regulated in our Terms and Conditions for Exam Administration of the respective examination.
FAQs
Is Goethe exam difficult? For beginners, A1 or A2 levels, the exam may be challenging as it tests foundational knowledge and basic language skills.
How much does the Goethe exam cost? ›
Examination Fee Structure 2024
| Level | Exam | External |
|---|
| A1 | Goethe-Zertifikat A1. Start Deutsch 1 | INR 9400 |
| Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1 | INR 4700 |
| A2 | Goethe-Zertifikat A2 | INR 10600 |
| Goethe-Zertifikat A2: Fit in Deutsch | INR 10600 |
11 more rowsCourse Prices
| Course type | Fees/ trimester (incl books) in KES |
|---|
| Superintensive courses (A1) | 44,000 |
| Superintensive courses (A2) | 42,000 |
| Exam Preparation Courses (A1, intern) | 6,000 |
| Exam Preparation Courses (A1, extern) | 8,000 |
23 more rowsThe Goethe-Test PRO is a flexible online test. It can be taken either at one of our test centres worldwide or on your company's premises. The test employs the methods of the renowned Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) and is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Is B2 German fluent? ›
B2 speakers can carry fluent conversations with native speakers with neither side having to speak slowly or use simple words.
How long does it take to go from B1 to B2 German? ›
Intermediate B1 to B2 – German level B1 takes 200 hours and B2 takes approximately 300 hours to become fluent. Advance C1 to C2 – C1 Level takes around 240 hours and C2 level takes around 240 hours to complete the whole course and become a pro at speaking German.
How long is the Goethe certificate valid for? ›
Goethe-Zertifikats A1 through C2 do not expire. Many institutions and employers, however, expect the certificate to be dated not more than two years ago.
What is the passing score for Goethe Institute exam? ›
The exam is deemed to have been passed if at least 60 points (60 % of the maximum point score) have been earned and if all sections of the exam have been completed. Further Informationen: Exam guidelines (PDF, 337 KB) Terms and conditions for the exam administration (PDF, 303 KB)
What level of German is required to study in Germany? ›
Whether you are planning to study or work in Germany, it is highly recommended to be proficient in the German language at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Do German universities accept Goethe? ›
Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom, Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP), Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) and Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) are recognized for study at a college/university in Germany, and exempt one from taking the TestDaF exam or any similar exam.
Course Quality. At the heart of any language learning institution lies its curriculum and teaching methods. And, in this aspect, the Goethe-Institut stands out for its high-quality courses, designed to cater to learners at all levels — from beginner to advanced.
Is B1 German enough? ›
Many employers in Germany require at least B2 level German for most jobs, particularly in customer service or sales positions. However, some part-time jobs in less language-intensive fields may be available to those with B1-level proficiency.
Which German language certificate is the best? ›
The Goethe-Institut certificate (Zertifikat) is recognised worldwide as a German language certification, and can be used in Germany for visa, residence permit and citizenship applications, as well as for university entrance requirements.
How to book Goethe exams? ›
- Step 1: Know the important date. You must know 3 important dates before you should register yourself for the Goethe Institut Exam.
- Step 2: Create an account. You need to create an account with your E-Mail ID. ...
- Step 3: Book an examination. ...
- Step 4: Getting the admit card. ...
- Step 3: Writing an examination. ...
- Examination fee:
Language learning follows a pretty standard system with A1 and A2 being beginners, B1 and B2 being intermediate, and so on. A1 is essentially the basics and I managed to pass an A1 German exam in just two weeks. This was because my spousal visa meant I needed to prove that I had a basic level of German.
What is the passing score for Goethe German exam? ›
The exam is deemed to have been passed when at least 60 points (60 % of the maximum point score) have been earned and if all sections of the exam have been completed. Of these points, at least 45 points must have been earned in the written exam and at least 15 points in the oral exam.
What level is the Goethe exam? ›
The Goethe-Institut offers German exams worldwide for adults and young learners at levels A1-C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Is it hard to pass B1 German exam? ›
The B1 level is the most difficult because of the lot of grammar and vocabulary knowledge that you need to grasp.
