Goethe-Zertifikat C1

Goethe language learning, Berlin Photo: Goethe-Institut/Sonja Tobias

Ideal if you'd like to ...

  • prepare to study at a university or institution of higher education in Germany
  • demonstrate a very advanced knowledge of German for employment purposes
  • prepare to work in the medical sector
  • prove that you have successfully reached level C1
  • be issued with an official and internationally recognized certificate

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is an examination for adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired advanced language skills and corresponds to the fifth level (C1) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Passing the exam demonstrates that you can ...

  • understand a wide range of challenging, longer texts as well as grasp implicit meanings,
  • express yourself spontaneously and fluently without frequently having to search for words,
  • use the language effectively and flexibly in your social and professional life or during training or your studies,
  • make clear, structured and detailed statements on complex topics. 
Please contact your university, institution of higher education or preparatory course provider before your course of study is due to begin to find out if the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is able to grant you exemption from taking a language entrance test for foreign students.
 

Requirements

  • A minimum age of 16 years is recommended to take the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 exam.
  • To sit the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 exam, candidates must have German language skills corresponding to the fifth level of competence (C1) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  • To reach this level, candidates need to have completed between 800 and 1,000 45-minute units of teaching, depending on their previous knowledge and learning requirements.

What else is important to know?