German examinations

At the A1 level, the Goethe-Institut offers two exams:

• Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1 (for children and young people, recommended ages 10 and above)
• Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 (for adults, recommended ages 16 and above) 

Both exams confirm basic language knowledge at the A1 level. The exams comprise listening, reading, writing and speaking sections. 
By passing the A1 exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can interact in a simple way and introduce themselves, as well as answer basic questions about personal information and fall back on gestures; 
• can use known, mundane and commonly used phrases and simple sentences (e.g., information about themselves and their family, about shopping, work/school, their living situation): 
• understand short, basic conversations in everyday situations if the interlocutor/s speaks slowly and clearly. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is recognized as proof of language proficiency for spousal reunification.
 

At the A2 level, the Goethe-Institut offers two exams:  

• Goethe-Zertifikat A2: Fit in Deutsch (for young people, recommended ages 12 and above) 
• Goethe-Zertifikat A2 (for adults, recommended ages 16 and above) 

Both exams confirm basic language knowledge at the A2 level. The exams comprise listening, reading, writing and speaking sections.

By passing the A2 exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can use and understand commonly used expressions and phrases in everyday situations; 
• can participate in basic, routine communication if it is about familiar and common topics like their origin and education, the immediate environment and needs; 
• can extract the main information from short texts with frequent vocabulary (simple newspaper articles, advertisements or notice boards). 

At the B1 level, the Goethe-Institut offers the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 as an exam version for young people (recommended ages 12 and above) and an exam version for adults (recommended ages 16 and above). Both exams certify proficient language knowledge at the B1 level. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 comprises listening, reading, writing and speaking modules, which can be taken individually or combined. The exam offers full flexibility thanks to its modular structure. 

By passing the B1 exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can understand the main information if clear standard language is spoken and the conversation is about everyday topics like work, school or leisure; 
• can express themselves in a simple, structured and addressee-specific way about known topics, personal interests and experiences, dreams and goals, as well as give reasons and explanations; 
• can understand uncomplicated non-fiction texts about their interests and their own field. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is recognized as proof of language proficiency for permanent residency and naturalization in Germany. 

At the B2 level, the Goethe-Institut offers the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 as an exam version for young people (recommended ages 15 and above) and an exam version for adults (recommended ages 16 and above). Both exams certify proficient language knowledge at the B2 level. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 comprises listening, reading, writing and speaking modules, which can be taken individually or combined. The exam offers full flexibility thanks to its modular structure. 

By passing the B2 exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can understand the main information in complex texts about concrete and abstract topics and professional discussion in their field; 
• can communicate spontaneously and fluently so that regular interaction with another German speaker is possible without strain on either party; 
• can express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, explain a position on a current question and specify the advantages and disadvantages of different possibilities. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is recognized as proof of language for visa procedures regarding the search for an apprenticeship. For some studies at a university or institutions of higher education in Germany, the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is also accepted. 

At the C1 level, Goethe-Institut offers the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 as an exam version for adults (recommended ages 16 and above). It certifies advanced proficient language knowledge at the C1 level. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 comprises listening, reading, writing and speaking modules, which can be taken individually or combined. The exam offers full flexibility thanks to its modular structure. 

By passing the C1 exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can use the German language flexibly and effectively in private, public, academic and professional contexts; 
• can understand challenging and long texts and their implicit meaning even if the topic is not familiar; 
• can communicate spontaneously and fluently and argue a position. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is recognized as proof of language at many universities and institutions of higher education in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 
 

At the C2 level, Goethe-Institut offers the Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes deutsches Sprachdiplom as an exam version for adults (recommended ages 18 and above). It certifies highly advanced proficient language knowledge at the C2 level. 
 
The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 comprises listening, reading, writing and speaking modules, which can be taken individually or combined. The exam offers full flexibility thanks to its modular structure. 
In the second part of the writing module, candidates may choose a literature-related topic. These exercises are being created in collaboration with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. 
 
By passing the exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can summarize information from different written and oral sources and reproduce justifications and explanations coherently; 
• can communicate fluently, spontaneously and precisely and make differentiated meanings clearly; 
• can understand practically everything they read or hear in German without any effort. 

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 is recognized as proof of language proficiency for studies or research in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at all universities and institutions of higher education. 
In Germany, the Federal States recognize the C2 exam as proof of language proficiency as part of the teaching qualification (“Lehramtsqualifikation”). 
Further information is given by the recognizing bodies in the respective federal state, such as the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, the Office for Teacher Training, the District Council or the Senate Committee. 

The Goethe-Test PRO: German for Professionals is a digital German test for adults (recommended ages 16 and above). The test evaluates listening and reading competence in professional settings using an adaptive test method. The result is documented on a scale from A1 to C2. 

The Goethe-Test PRO can be implemented as a B2B product directly at a company on site. For further information, please reach out to pro@goethe.de. 
  Abstract
The Goethe-Test PRO: German for Professionals has been conducted at the Goethe-Institut's examination centres and with corporate clients worldwide since April 2017. It is designed as an adaptive online test and assesses listening and reading competence in the workplace at levels A1-C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 
In this study, the psychometric quality of the Goethe-Test PRO was analysed with regard to various measures on the basis of test data from N = 5,636 test subjects from 17 countries. The Goethe-Test PRO delivers reliable test results with a reliability of > .9. The psychometric properties of the test are similar in different countries in which the Goethe-Test PRO is administered.

The Goethe-Test PRO Pflege: German for Nursing Care is a German exam for adults (recommended ages 16 and above) who are already working in health care or who would like to do so in the future. The exam documents profession-specific language knowledge at the B2 level. 

The Goethe-Test PRO Pflege comprises listening, reading, writing and speaking sections. In the digital part, reading and listening skills are assessed using an adaptive test method on a scale from A1 to C2. 
The writing and speaking parts are paper-based and examine German knowledge at the B2 level. 
 
By passing the exam, candidates prove that they… 

• can understand relevant types of text with professional and profession-specific topics; 
• can write reports and messages fitting the care context in a style and register; 
• can talk about their work, conduct patient interviews, give an oral case report and participate in work discussions. 

For further information, please contact pflege@goethe.de.