Frequently asked questions
German Exams

Take our free placement test "Test your German".
The test will give you an initial idea of which exam is the appropriate choice for you.
If you want to register for a course or an exam, you should take a thorough assessment test either at a Goethe-Institut or at one of our partner institutions.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to advise you.

Our general terms and conditions are displayed during the booking process. You can find additional country-specific regulations here.

No, they are recommendations.
Please contact us directly. We are happy to advise you.

Yes, digital German exams take place at select exam centres on Goethe-Institut laptops with a German keyboard. Exam candidates complete the modules Listening (with headphones), Reading and Writing on the laptop. As with the paper-based exam, the module Speaking takes place on site with two experienced Goethe-Institut examiners.
You can find more information about our digital exams here.

Yes, we offer German exams online. However, they are currently still in a pilot phase. We thank you for understanding that we are only offering certain exams in an online version.
Please note: In order to be able to take an exam remotely (e.g. from home), you have to meet certain technical and spatial requirements. As an exam candidate you will be monitored by an online exam invigilator.

Please find further information about our online German exams here.

Goethe-Zertifikate B1, B2, C1 and C2 are modular exams. The four modules are: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
You can take the modules separately and at different times or all together on the same exam date.

An adaptive test automatically adjusts to your language level. All test takers start with a task at level A. Depending on how you solve this task, the next task will either be more difficult or easier. The programme therefore reacts to your answers and adapts accordingly. This also means that the test is different for each participant, so the order of the tasks is not fixed. In this way all test participants receive an individualised test. At the end, the programme calculates your result and determines your language skills in reading and listening on a scale from A1 to C2.

You can find free exam training materials for each exam on the Goethe-Institut website. The materials are similar to the actual exam in terms of task types, number of items and time limit.
An interactive version with evaluation is also available for each exam (programmed and certified for accessibility).

You can find additional materials to practice on-site at the institute or in the online library. Come and visit us - we will be happy to advise you.

Learning is an individual process. How much time you personally need to reach a level depends on various factors like commitment, time invested and use of additional practice programmes.

If you have already learnt one or more languages, you will usually learn German more quickly. It makes a big difference whether you participate in a language course in your home country or in Germany, where you can also hear and speak German outside the classroom.

The intensity of the lessons (e.g. intensive or evening course) also impacts the learning process.

We are happy to advise you individually.

No. You can book an exam at any time.

However, a preparation course is recommended. Please contact us for a personal consultation.

Goethe-Institut written exams are judged according to the spelling rules as they have been regulated since August 2006. The reference for this is: DUDEN. Die deutsche Rechtschreibung (from 24th edition 2006).
The applicable rules can be found on the Internet, for example at: www.duden.de 

On the use of double s for -ß: candidates in Switzerland and Liechtenstein only are not required to apply the distinction between double s and -ß. This is a variant of the standard German spelling. The correct spelling there is therefore: Grüsse (versus standard German Grüße), Füsse (Füße), draussen (draußen), heiss (heiß) and so on.

You can leave the room to use the restroom. The invigilator will keep a record of your absence.

Technical aids such as mobile phones, mini-computers, smartwatches or other devices suitable for recording or playback are prohibited. Aids such as dictionaries, grammar books or prepared cheat sheets are also not permitted.
These items may not be taken into the preparation room or the exam room. An offence will result in exclusion from the exam (see exam regulations § 11).

Yes, the Goethe-Zertifikat is an internationally recognised language certificate for visa procedures, recognition of professional qualifications or university admission.
Please select an exam. Information on recognition can be found on the exam page.

If you have taken your exam at a Goethe-Institut and have not received any other information, you can retrieve your exam results at MeinGoethe.de. You will be informed about when you can retrieve your results in the invitation to the exam.

If you took your exam with an examination partner working with the Goethe-Institut, please contact your examination centre directly.

Here you will find an overview of the regulations for the Goethe-Zertifikat:

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1

The exam is passed if at least 60 points (60 % of the maximum number of points) have been achieved and all parts of the exam have been passed.
Further details:

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1

The exam is passed if at least 30 points (50 % of the maximum number of points) have been achieved and all parts of the exam have been passed.
Further details:

Goethe-Zertifikat A2
Goethe-Zertifikat A2: Fit in Deutsch
The exam is passed if a total of at least 60 points (60 % of the maximum number of points) are achieved and all parts of the exam have been passed. Of these, at least 45 points must be achieved in the written exam and at least 15 points in the oral exam.
Further details:

Goethe-Zertifikat B1
Goethe-Zertifikat B2
Goethe-Zertifikat C1
Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom

A module is passed if at least 60 points or 60 % are achieved.
Further details:

Once you have taken the exam and passed it, you can download the certificate from your MeinGoethe.de account and print it out yourself. Instructions can be found here:

If you took your exam at one of our exam cooperation centers, please contact your examination center directly.

Goethe-Institut certificates are valid indefinitely.

Please enquire directly with the recognising body (e.g. authorities, German diplomatic missions abroad, universities, employers) as to how current your Goethe certificate must be.

These exams have been offered by the Goethe-Institut in the past and can be assigned to these levels of the CEFR:

• Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD), level B1
• Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache (ZDaF), level B1
• Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP), level C1
• Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB), level B2
• Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD), level C1
• Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP), level C2
• Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) und Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS), level C2

Please write to pruefungen@goethe.de if you require a level confirmation for these exams.
If you present a certificate from one of these exams, you will receive a corresponding level confirmation.

Yes, you will receive a certificate for each module you pass (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), which you are free to combine with other certificates.

Yes, if you have completed the four modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) within one year

• at Goethe-Instituts within the European Union or

• at Goethe-Instituts in third countries within a country

• with exam cooperation partners at the same exam centre

you can receive an overall certificate.

Duplicate certificates are not issued.

The exam centre can issue you a replacement certificate for exams that took place no more than ten years ago. For reasons of data protection, the Goethe-Institut is obliged to delete all personal data after ten years.

No, in the event of a name change (e.g. marriage, adoption, divorce), neither a new certificate nor a replacement certificate will be issued. The name change can be evidenced by the corresponding official document (birth certificate, marriage certificate or similar) or a notarised copy.

Exception: In cases of gender reassignment, a new certificate can be issued. Please contact us to find out what proof is required for this.

If you fail an exam, you will receive a confirmation of participation with the number of points achieved.
You can repeat any exam as often as you would like.