The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 is a German exam for adults. The exam confirms basic language skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • Use German in everyday life
  • Proof of your learning success at level A2
  • Official and internationally recognized certificate

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Exam sections

The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 consists of the exam sections listening, reading, writing and speaking (oral group examination). The exam is conducted and assessed uniformly worldwide.

Listening

Duration: 30 minutes

You listen to everyday conversations, announcements and interviews on the radio, phone messages as well as public announcements and answer questions related to them.

Reading

Duration: 30 minutes

You read texts such as short newspaper articles, emails, advertisements as well as notes from public information boards and answer questions related to them.

Writing

Duration: 30 minutes

You write messages that relate to your immediate living environment.

Speaking

Duration: 15 minutes

You ask and answer questions about yourself. You tell something about your own life. You also plan and agree on something together with the person you are talking to.

More information

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

  • understand and apply frequently used expressions and sentences in everyday situations;

  • communicate in simple, routine situations when it comes to familiar and common topics such as one's own background and education, one's immediate environment and immediate needs;

  • obtain essential information from short texts with familiar vocabulary (simple newspaper texts, advertisements or information boards).

Exam information

Requirements

The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 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 A2, we recommend an age of 16+.

  • The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 requires language skills at the second competency level (A2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • To reach this level you need – depending on previous knowledge and learning requirements – 200 to 350 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.

Eine junge Frau lernt online am Laptop. Sie sitzt gemütlich auf dem Boden im Schneidersitz. Sie lehnt an ein Sofa. Auf dem Boden liegen verstreut Bücher und lose Arbeitsblätter. Vor ihr steht ein Pappbecher mit einem Kaffeegetränk.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Further questions

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