The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is a German exam for adults. The exam confirms advanced language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • Language certificate for studying in Germany
  • 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 C1 consists of the exam modules listening, reading, writing and speaking (oral exam with 2 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 will listen to a podcast, an interview, a discussion, and a lecture. You can understand statements, details, and opinions on various topics.

Reading

Duration: 65 minutes

You read various texts, such as (online) articles and articles from newspapers and magazines. You can grasp the main statements, details, and points of view.

Writing

Duration: 75 minutes

You express and defend your opinion in a written forum post on a current social issue, and you write a formal message. You can adjust your written tone, style and register to be appropriate for a certain occasion and the given addressee.

Speaking

Duration: 20 minutes

You give a short lecture on a complex topic and talk about it with your conversation partner. You also discuss a controversial topic.

More information

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

  • use the German language effectively and flexibly in private, public, academic and professional contexts;

  • understand demanding and longer texts and their implicit meaning, even if the topic is unfamiliar;

  • express yourself spontaneously and fluently and defend a point of view.

The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 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.

Requirements

The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is a German exam for 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 C1, we recommend an age of 16+.

  • The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 requires language skills at the fifth competency level (C1) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • To reach this level you need - depending on previous knowledge and learning requirements - 800 to 1,000 lessons of 45 minutes each.

Exam preparation

Best preparation for the exam

Online exam trainings

Free practice materials for your exam preparation: online, interactive, and accessible.

A young woman studies online on a laptop. She sits comfortably on the floor cross-legged. She is leaning against a sofa. There are books and loose worksheets scattered on the floor. A paper cup with a coffee drink is in front of her.

Practice materials on site

Check out additional practice materials and German-language media such as books and films at our on-site library in New York City.

A man and a woman sit at a table in a library, both concentrating on reading. © Goethe-Institut/Daniel Albanese © Goethe-Institut/Daniel Albanese

Computer-based exams

Would you like to take the exam on a laptop? We offer selected exams on laptops at our institutes. You can find further information and tutorials here.

Three exam participants with headphones sit at individual tables and work on their laptops.

Frequently asked questions

Our exam locations

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Additional exam locations in the USA

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