Frequently asked questions

We will inform you here about frequently asked questions on the examinations of the Goethe-Institut. If you have additional questions concerning the Goethe certificates A1 through C2, please arrange an informational, free-of-charge personal consultation at one of our testing locations (Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centers or Goethe Examinations partners).

The exams of the Goethe-Institut are available to anyone interested, regardless of the exam candidate’s citizenship. They are designed to demonstrate knowledge in German as a second language and/or as a foreign language.
We do recommend a minimum age for taking the exams.

Exam guideline(PDF, 351 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.

Supplement to the terms and conditions for exam administration: exam participants with special needs(PDF, 223 KB)
Information for exam participants with special needs(PDF, 186 KB)

You may leave the room for a reasonable time (bathroom). This absence will be noted in the “Report on the Administration of the Exam”.

The Goethe-Zertifikats A1 through C2 correspond to the ‘Common European Framework of References for Languages (GER)’. You can check the classification under:

Common European Framework of References for Languages (GER)

Acknowledgements stating participation in a language course, an evaluation test, an exam, etc., are not sufficient.

Only an exam certificate of having passed a Goethe exam (A1 through C2, Kleines or Großes Sprachdiplom, respectively) are recognized as proof of the respective knowledge level in German as a Second Language.

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, or visit www.sprachnachweis.de.

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
Institut für deutsche Sprache (IDS)

Learning is an individual process. How much time you need to attain a certain level depends on various and individual factors: your commitment, your time input, and your taking advantage of additional practice resources.

Should you already have studied one or more languages, you may learn German faster. It makes a big difference if you participate in a language course in your home country or in Germany, where you will be exposed to the German language outside the classroom.

Also of relevance is the intensity of the instruction (intensive vs. evening courses, for example). Please consult the testing location of your choice and request a personal consultation.

For each exam level you will find “practice and info materials“ by downloading materials

free of charge
by additionally ordering materials.

You also may receive materials from the language department of the Goethe-Institut nearest you.

Some exams offer distance learning material and online courses.
Learning German by correspondence course

The exam as a whole can be re-taken as often as needed. Details on re-taking the exam or part of the exam can be found under Terms and conditions for exam administration.

The exam Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit in Deutsch 1 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.

The exam Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 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.

The exam Goethe-Zertifikat A2 or Goethe-Zertifikat A2: Fit in Deutsch 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 complet-ed. 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.

The Goethe certificates B1, B2, C1 and C2 are modular exams.
A module is deemed to have been passed if at least 60 points or 60% are attained.

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.

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.

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.

An official translation can be prepared by a state-recognized translator or translation office.

The participation for the exam requires neither prior attendance at a specific language school or in a prep course nor the acquisition of a lower level certificate.

However, we recommend participation in a prep course at the testing location. There you will learn the necessary linguistic and exam-specific skills that will help you succeed on the exam.

For more information, please contact the testing location of your choice and request a personal consultation.

If you took your exam at a Goethe-Institut and have not received any other information, you can view your exam results at Mein Goethe.de.

Help with registration on My Goethe.de:

Help with retrieving exam results:

If you have any questions, please contact your Goethe-Institut directly.

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

You may have your certificate notarized – for example, for the purpose of studying in Germany – by any valid notary public (court, government office, school, bank, etc.). Employers usually require a notarization from a law firm.

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Document your language proficiency by taking a Goethe-Institut German exam.

Frequently asked questions

Who can take the exams of the Goethe-Institut?

Can exam participants with special needs also take an exam?

May I leave the room during the exam?

Which level does my exam represent?

Can I verify my language skills with a letter of acknowledgement from the Goethe-Institut?

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

Which orthography is used in exams?

How much time do I need to attain a specific language level?

Where can I get practice materials for the exams?

Can I prepare for the exams via long distance studying and/or online?

How often can I take an exam?

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

Does the certificate/my exam expire?

What shall I do if I lose my certificate or it is lost in the mail?

My name changed. Can I get a new certificate?

Where can I have my certificate translated?

Can I take the exam without having participated in a prep course?

Where can I retrieve my exam results?

Where can I get my certificate notarized?

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