The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 tests whether you can handle familiar, routine situations in German, from reading a notice board to arranging an appointment.
A2 is a common milestone between A1 and B1. Some employers and training programmes ask for it, and Goethe certificates are known worldwide.
Depending on the test centre, the oral exam takes place on the same day as the written exam or on a different day.
What each module asks you to do, in the order you take them.
Four parts: a newspaper article, an information board, an email and ads.
Four parts with five tasks each: radio programmes, conversations, answering-machine messages and announcements.
Two short texts: one to a friend, one semi-formal.
A pair exam of about 15 minutes.
Each skill is worth 25 points. You need 60 of 100 in total, with at least 45 of 75 in the written part and 15 of 25 in Sprechen, so a strong written part cannot rescue a weak oral exam.
| Module · Teil | Max. points | Pass from |
|---|---|---|
| Written part | 75 | 45 |
| Lesen | 25 | |
| Hören | 25 | |
| Schreiben | 25 | |
| Sprechen | 25 | 15 |
Based on the published exam regulations of telc, the Goethe-Institut and g.a.s.t., checked in September 2026.
The SMS needs 20–30 words and the email 30–40. Practise hitting those ranges so you cover every point without running out of time.
Lesen Teil 2 is about finding facts fast, like which floor sells what. Look for key words instead of reading every line.
In Sprechen Teil 2 you talk about yourself. Have simple sentences ready about work, family, free time and where you live.
Teil 3 is a scheduling task. Learn phrases like Hast du am Montag Zeit? and Um 10 Uhr kann ich leider nicht.
The written exam takes 90 minutes: Lesen 30 min, Hören about 30 min and Schreiben 30 min. The oral exam takes about 15 minutes.
Each skill is worth 25 points. You need 60 of 100 in total, with at least 45 of 75 in the written part and 15 of 25 in Sprechen, so a strong written part cannot rescue a weak oral exam.
Only partly. You need at least 15 of 25 points in Sprechen, however well you do in the written part.
No. Unlike Goethe B1, the A2 exam is taken as a whole.
German Exam Simulator has complete Goethe A2 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.
Timed mock exams with every part, including Sprechen with an AI partner, scored like the certificate. Exam 1 is free, no account needed.
Checked against the official exam format in September 2026.