Goethe-Zertifikat B2 - Goethe-Institut USA

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is a German exam for young people and adults. The exam confirms advanced language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Language certificate for educational training programs
Live and work in Germany
Official and internationally recognized certificate

There are currently no exam dates available. For further information please contact us.

Exam modules

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 consists of the exam modules listening, reading, writing and speaking (oral exam with 2 exam participants).
This offers full flexibility as the four modules can be taken individually or in combination. The exam is conducted and assessed uniformly worldwide.

Listening

Duration: 40 minutes

You listen to interviews, lectures, conversations and statements from everyday life as well as from the radio. You can grasp the main points and important details.

Reading

Duration: 65 minutes

You read various texts, such as forum posts, articles from newspapers and magazines, comments and regulations. You can grasp key information, important details, as well as viewpoints, opinions, and rules.

Writing

Duration: 75 minutes

You express and defend your opinion in a written forum post on a current social issue. You also write a formal message in a professional context.

Speaking

Duration: 15 minutes

You give a short lecture on a given topic and talk about it with your conversation partner. You also exchange arguments in a discussion.

More information

By passing the exam you show that you can ...

understand the main content of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics and understand expert discussions in the area of your own expertise;
communicate so spontaneously and fluently that a normal conversation with native speakers is possible without major effort on both sides;
express yourself clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, explain a point of view on a current issue, and state the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is accepted for studying at some universities and technical colleges in Germany.
Please contact the university of your choice in advance to establish which Goethe certificate you need to present for your study program.

Recognition of Goethe-Zertifikat, general overview(PDF, 151 KB)

Exam information

Requirements

The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is a German exam for young people and adults.
The Goethe-Institut exams are available to anyone and can be taken regardless of whether they have reached a minimum age or have German citizenship.

For the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 for young people, we recommend an age of 15+.
For the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 for adults, we recommend an age of 16+.
The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 requires language skills at the fourth competency level (B2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
To reach this level you need - depending on previous knowledge and learning requirements - 600 to 800 lessons of 45 minutes each.