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Goethe-Zertifikat · A1

Goethe A1 exam: structure, scoring and preparation

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 checks that you can handle simple everyday situations in German, from introducing yourself to understanding short announcements.

  • Written exam65 min
  • Oral examabout 15 min
  • Pass mark60 of 100 points
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Who takes this exam?

It is one of the certificates German embassies accept as proof of basic German for a spouse or family reunion visa. The tasks are the same as in telc’s Start Deutsch 1.

Exam day at a glance

Written exam 65 min

  1. Hörenabout 20 min
  2. Lesenabout 25 min
  3. Schreibenabout 20 min

Oral exam about 15 min

  1. Sprechenabout 15 min

Depending on the test centre, the oral exam takes place on the same day as the written exam or on a different day.

Part by part

What each module asks you to do, in the order you take them.

Hören

Listening
  • 25 points
  • 3 parts
  • 15 questions
  • about 20 min

Short everyday conversations, announcements and phone messages.

  1. Teil 1Short everyday conversations. For each one you choose a, b or c.
  2. Teil 2Announcements in public places, such as a station or a department store. You decide richtig or falsch.
  3. Teil 3Phone messages and short announcements. You choose a, b or c.

Lesen

Reading
  • 25 points
  • 3 parts
  • 15 questions
  • about 25 min

Short emails and letters, ads and signs.

  1. Teil 1Two short texts, such as an email or a letter. You decide whether statements are richtig or falsch.
  2. Teil 2Ads and short web pages. For each situation you pick the right text, a or b.
  3. Teil 3Signs and notices, for example at a doctor’s office or in a shop. You decide richtig or falsch.

Schreiben

Writing
  • 25 points
  • 2 parts
  • about 20 min

Fill in a form, then write a short personal message.

  1. Teil 1Complete a form with five missing details, for example a course registration.
  2. Teil 2Write a short message of about 30 words, such as an email or a note, that covers three points.

Sprechen

Speaking
  • 25 points
  • 3 parts
  • about 15 min
  • small group

A speaking test in a small group: introduce yourself, ask and answer questions, make requests.

  1. Teil 1Introduce yourself using word prompts: name, age, country, home, languages, job and hobbies. You may be asked to spell a word or say a number.
  2. Teil 2Ask and answer questions about an everyday topic using word cards.
  3. Teil 3Make requests and react to them using picture cards.

How it is scored

Hören, Lesen, Schreiben and Sprechen are worth 25 points each. Only the total counts: 60 of 100 points passes.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
Module · TeilMax. pointsPass from
Total10060
Hören25
Lesen25
Schreiben25
Sprechen25

Based on the published exam regulations of telc, the Goethe-Institut and g.a.s.t., checked in September 2026.

How to prepare

  • Learn your introduction by heart

    Sprechen Teil 1 always asks for the same details: name, age, country, home, languages, job and hobbies. Prepare one clear sentence for each and practise spelling your name.

  • Read the questions before you listen

    You get time to read the tasks before each recording. Underline days, times and prices, because those are what the recordings test.

  • Cover every point in the message

    In Schreiben Teil 2 each of the three points counts. One simple sentence per point scores better than a long text that forgets one.

  • Get fast at numbers

    Prices, phone numbers, dates and times come up in every part. Say them out loud until you understand them at normal speed.

Questions and answers

How long does the Goethe A1 exam take?

The written exam takes 65 minutes: Hören about 20 min, Lesen about 25 min and Schreiben about 20 min. The oral exam takes about 15 minutes.

How many points do I need to pass Goethe A1?

Hören, Lesen, Schreiben and Sprechen are worth 25 points each. Only the total counts: 60 of 100 points passes.

Can I take the Goethe A1 modules separately?

No. Unlike Goethe B1, Start Deutsch 1 is taken as a whole: you always sit all four parts.

Is Goethe A1 the same as telc A1?

Both are Start Deutsch 1 with the same tasks and marking. The Goethe-Institut reports the result out of 100 points and telc out of 60; the pass mark is 60 % in both.

How can I practise for Goethe A1 at home?

German Exam Simulator has complete Goethe A1 mock exams with the same parts and timings as the real exam, including Sprechen with an AI partner, and scores them the way the certificate does. Exam 1 is free and needs no account.

Practise the full Goethe A1 exam

Timed mock exams with every part, including Sprechen with an AI partner, scored like the certificate. Exam 1 is free, no account needed.

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Other exams

Checked against the official exam format in September 2026.