Frequently asked questions

The Goethe-Institute examinations are designed to test your language abilities in reading, listening, writing and speaking.

Exams have a minimum age requirement based on the world knowledge and experience that is expected of the exam participant at that level.

Certificates that merely confirm participation in a language course, a placement test etc. are not enough to prove your language competency. Only a certificate issued after one has passed an examination - Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2 or Test-DaF - is recognized worldwide as proof of the corresponding knowledge of German as a foreign language.

The Goethe-examinations can be used to prove language proficiency to a German university. What level is required depends on the degree that you are applying for. If you have a Goethe certificate at the right level (usually B2+), you are exempt from having to provide proof of a Test DaF examination or DSH. For information on language requirements for the university of your choice and for the course of study or the subject of study, please check the admissions of the respective universities.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Fit 1
One gets a score of at least 30 points out of 60 total points and all the exam sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) have been taken. Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 One passes the exam if one gets at least 60 percent of the maximum score and all the exam sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) have been taken.

Goethe-Zertifikat A2
To pass the A2 overall, at least 60% must be reached in all four of the modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). All modules are completed on the same day. Goethe-Zertifikat B1 To pass the B1 overall, at least 60% must be reached in all four of the modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The modules can all be taken on the same day or at different times.

Goethe-Zertifikat B2
To pass the B2 overall, at least 60% must be reached in all four of the modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The modules can all be taken on the same day or at different times.

Goethe-Zertifikat C1
To pass the C1 overall, at least 60% must be reached in all four of the modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The modules can all be taken on the same day or at different times.

Goethe-Zertifikat C2
To pass the C2 overall, at least 60% must be reached in all four of the modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The modules can all be taken on the same day or at different times.

The whole examination can be repeated as often as desired. The details on repeating modules or sections of the examination are found in the “Durchführungsbestimmungen of the respective examinations.

Learning is an individual process. How much time you need to reach a particular level depends on various factors including personal engagement, time invested in the learning process and how one makes use of additional practice materials.

In most cases, it will be quicker for you to learn German if you have already learnt one or more languages, and it makes a difference whether you attend a language course in your home country or in Germany, where you can interact with the language outside of the classroom setting.

The intensity of the lessons also plays a critical role in the learning process (i.e. if one takes part in an intensive course, evening lessons etc.). Please contact us for personal advice.

 

The Goethe-Institut Kigali offers this table as a general guide:

Level	Duration	Months	Proficiency Level
A1	120 hrs	2 to 3 months	Beginner Level
A2	132 hrs	2 to 3 months	Elementary Level
B1	144 hrs	2 to 3 months	Pre-Intermediate Level
B2	160 hrs	2 to 3 months	Upper-Intermediate Level
C1	200 hrs	2 to 3 months	Advanced Level
C2	300 hrs	4 months	Mastery Level

No exact duplicate can be issued.

However, if the exam was taken not more than ten years ago, the exam center where you took the exam can issue a replacement certificate for a fee. Please contact the language office to get the most up-to-date price information.

We recommend that you scan the certificate and upload it to a cloud server to keep it safe and keep the paper copy in a safe place, preferably protected from water damage.