Information and Exam results

Frequently asked questions

In the following points, you will find important information about the Goethe certificates, in particular specific information regarding Hungary.

Recognition at home and abroad: nationally recognized and international certificate
The Goethe-Institut language exams are recognised worldwide and provide a certificate that is a credible proof of language competence and is therefore highly regarded. The Goethe-Institut offers language examinations at all six levels of the CEFR*, of which B1, B2 and C1 as well as B1 and B2 Youth (basic, intermediate and advanced) are equivalent to accredited language examinations in Hungary. This means that candidates can use the international certificate to gain extra points in the admission procedure.
Unser Gesamtangebot

Everyday useful tasks
The Goethe-Institut examinations are competence-oriented, which means that the tasks are reality-based and the knowledge tested can be applied in everyday life, study or work.

A Goethe certificate: advantage for studies and career
Goethe certificates are advantageous in all areas of life due to their competence orientation as well as their international recognition and recognition by institutions and employers.

Sie finden auf der Internetseite des Goethe-Instituts zu jeder Goethe-Prüfung Übungssätze, die für alle Interessenten und Interessentinnen zugänglich sind. Zur Prüfungsvorbereitung wird eine Reihe von Lehrwerken im Handel angeboten. Die Bibliothek des Goethe-Instituts hat zu jeder Stufe Prüfungsvorbereitungsmaterialien zur Auswahl.

Exams for adults (16 years and over):
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat A2
▪ Goethe-Zetifikat B1
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat B2

▪ Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (14 years and over)

Exams for young people (from 10 years)
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat B1, and B2 Jugendliche

Exams for young people (from 12 years)
▪ Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Fit in Deutsch

(The application is based on the calendar year of birth and not on the calendar day of birth.)

Application deadlines are listed on our website.exam registration
You must apply online for our exams by clicking on the letter of the exam you have chosen.
If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Results of exams taken in Budapest will be published on MEIN GOETHE no later than The results of the examinations taken in Budapest are published on our website no later than 21 working days after the written examination.
Fast-track fees:
3 working days after the written examination: 35.000 HUF

Please send your request at the same time as your application,at least 1 week before the actual exam to pruefungen-budapest@goethe.de.
You can ask for the result of your test at one of our rural examination centres at the examination centres.

1. Appeals against the results of the examination must be submitted in writing to the examiner of the examination centre within two weeks of the announcement of the results. Unsubstantiated or insufficiently reasoned applications may be rejected by the examination centre. Mere reference to the marks not obtained is not sufficient justification.

2.The examiner of the examination centre decides whether to accept the appeal. In case of doubt, the appeal will be made to the Goethe-Institut headquarters, which will decide instead. This decision is final and cannot be appealed. The case cannot be referred to the courts.

3. The specialist officer will obtain the views of all parties concerned, decide on the appeal and prepare a decision on the case. In case of doubt, the Goethe-Institut headquarters will decide.

An objection to the conduct of the examination must be lodged with the examiner or the head of the examination centre immediately after the examination at the examination centre.

Exam participants, who have taken the exam in the Goethe-Institut Budapest, have the possibility to consult the examination sections within two weeks of the announcement of the results.
To do so, you must send a request to bozena.berente@goethe.de. Access is only possible for the candidate (in the case of minors, the legal guardian may be present).
For our rural examination centres, please ask at the examination centre in question.
If you did not take your exam in Hungary, you should contact the representative of the examination centre where you took the exam.

The exams can be repeated at any time.
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2 exams are not modular, so they can only be repeated in their entirety.

The B1, B2 and B1 Jugendliche, B2 Jugendliche, C1 and C2 exams are modular, which means that in case of failure, each module can be repeated separately.
If the 4 modules are successfully completed within one year (365 calendar days), the candidate will receive a consolidated certificate.
The certificate for the 4 separate modules is equivalent to the consolidated certificate.
Please be particularly careful when filling in your details online as this will be the basis for the certificate. Once the certificate has been issued, the data cannot be changed afterwards.
If you download the modules separately, please do not register again but use your existing login account (are you already a client?).
Exam results after registration in two separate accounts cannot be combined on one certificate form.

No duplicate will be issued.
If the exam was taken within the last ten years, the testing location where you took the exam will issue a substitute document for a small fee.
Please ask the language secretariat for the current fees.

Für das ungarische Zeugnis kann bei OH-NYAK eine Ersatzbescheinigung beantragt werden.
NYAK

In person
At the reception of the Goethe-Institut during opening hours:
Opening hours
If you have taken the exam at one of our examination centres, the examination centre will inform you about the possibilities of getting your certificate.

By proxy
You can authorize someone to collect your certificate on your behalf. To do this, you are supposed to fill in a duly signed power of attorney in writing, certified by two witnesses. You can download the form for the power of attorney from this link. In possession of this form, the authorised person can act on your behalf by handing in the power of attorney and showing his/her identity card in the event of a personal acceptance.

The Proxy(JPG, 161 KB)

The proxy must include the details of the proxy and the authorised representative (date of birth and ID card number), details of the exam (type, level, date) and the signatures of two witnesses.

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.

To find out more about the language requirement of a specific university and/or a course or field of study in Germany, request information directly from the university.
This list shows which Goethe certificates are currently recognised by the respective university as proof of sufficient German language skills.

Recognition of Goethe-Zertifikat B2-C2 (as of August 2024)(PDF, 285 KB)

The testing locations make every effort to accommodate participants with special needs (such as chronic illnesses, visual or hearing impairment). The level and type of chronic illness/disability must be disclosed upon registering for the exam and be confirmed by a doctor’s attestation. The testing location is obligated to maintain strict confidentiality.

More detailed information can be obtained directly at the testing location at which you wish to take the exam.

Information for Exam Participants with Special Needs(PDF, 57 KB)

Binding for the scoring of the written part of all Goethe exams is the orthography introduced in August 2006. The basics are „DUDEN. Die deutsche Rechtschreibung“ (as of the 24th edition, 2006) and „WAHRIG. Die deutsche Rechtschreibung“ ( editions as of 2006).

The currently effective rules can be found at:
Duden. Die deutsche Rechtschreibung
Der Duden Produktkatalog
Bertelsmann WAHRIG. Verlagsprogramm
Institut für Deutsche Sprache (IDS)
DUDEN. Sprachberatung

No. You are not allowed to use any aids (dictionary, smart watch, etc.) during the exam.

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.

The certificates of the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP), das Kleine Deutsche Sprachdiplom (KDS) und das Große Deutsche Sprachdiplom (GDS) will be valid after the introduction of the new Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom and with the change of the the exam offers on the level C2 beginning 01.01.2012.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1
The exam is deemed to have been passed if at least 30 points (50% of the maximum point score) have been earned and if all sections of the exam have been completed.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
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.

Goethe-Zertifikat A2
Goethe-Zertifikat A2: Fit in Deutsch
Goethe-Zertifikat B2
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. Otherwise, the entire exam will be deemed to have been failed.

Goethe-Zertifikat B1
Goethe-Zertifikat B2 (modular)
Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (modular)
Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom
A module is deemed to have been passed if at least 60 points or 60% are attained.

You can know more about the Goethe certificates by clicking on the examination title.

In the case of a name change (for example due to marriage, adoption, divorce, etc.), neither a new certificate nor a substitute document will be issued.

A change of name can be verified either with an official document from the relevant authority (birth certificate, marriage license, etc.) or a notarized copy of the above.

Name/ spelling of name must be documented via photo ID during registration at the testing location. The certificate for the exam will be issued based on this previously recorded personal information.

Goethe-Zertifikat B1, B2, C1,C2
The following rules apply to the internationally recognised, modular Goethe-Zertifikat B1, Goethe-Zertifikat B2 and Goethe-Zertifikat C2: a module is deemed to have been passed when at least 60 points or 60% have been earned.

Goethe-Zertifikat A2
The following rules apply to the internationally recognised, complex Goethe-Zertifikat A2
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. Otherwise, the entire exam will be deemed to have been failed.

Further offers

Online consultation hours – Exams (DE)

During our online consultation hours, you can ask any questions about the Goethe-Zertifikate B2 and C1.
Our teachers will introduce the two exams, tell you about the process of the two exams, and give you tips and tricks for preparing for the exams.
Exam Preparation

In these courses we prepare you specifically for the requirements of our B2 and C1 exams. You will learn about the contents of the exam, solve different sample tests and practise the most important exam techniques.
Accessible exam training materials

Online practice exam for those interested in a German exam for beginners to advanced (A1 – C2) – fully accessible and therefore especially suited for people with disabilities

Contact

Language Office

Kinga Jeszenszky K.F.

Nagymező u. 54-56
1065 Budapest

Tel.: +36 1 374 4082
pruefungen-budapest@goethe.de

Information and Exam results

Frequently asked questions

Why should I choose a Goethe-Institut exam?

Where can I get practice materials for the exam?

Is there an age limit for taking the exam?

How long before the exam do I have to register? Do I have to register in person?

How and when will I know the result?

How can I object to the result?

How can I object to the implementation?

Can I view my exam?

How often can I take the exam?

What shall I do if I lose my certificate?

Where can I get my certificate?

Which Goethe Exam entitles one to study at a college/university in Germany?

Can exam participants with special needs also take an exam?

Which orthography is used in exams?

Can I use any aids during the exam?

Does the certificate /my exam expire?

How many marks do I need to obtain in order to pass the examination?

My name changed. Can i get a new certificate?

Further offers

Contact