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C2 Goethe-Zertifikat C2

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom is a German exam for adults. The exam confirms very advanced language skills at level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • Language certificate for studying in Germany
  • Research or teach 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 C2 consists of the exam modules listening, reading, writing and speaking (individual oral examination).
This offers full flexibility as the four modules can be taken individually or in combination. The exam is conducted and assessed uniformly worldwide.
In Part 2 of the Writing module, you have the option to select a literature-related topic. These tasks are created in collaboration with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

  • Listening

    Duration: 35 minutes

    You listen to media reports, informal conversations, and expert interviews at a natural speaking pace and complete different tasks.

  • Reading

    Duration: 80 minutes

    You read factual texts, comments, reports and advertisements and complete various tasks. You can easily understand the texts, even if they are abstract or complex in terms of content and language, and you can grasp implicit meanings.

  • Writing

    Dauer: 80 Minuten

    You rephrase a short presentation in parts and, based on a general or literature-related topic, write a well-structured and stylistically appropriate text as a letter to the editor or a book review. There are two general topics and one topic for each of the two books on the literature list to choose from. Out of four possible topics, you work on only one topic.

  • Speaking

    Duration: 15 minutes

    You give a lecture on a more complex topic, for example, globalization. When asked, you explain your reasoning in a differentiated manner. In a discussion involving the exchange of pros and cons, you discuss another topic by presenting your own opinion, responding to counterarguments, and trying to convince the person you are talking to of your position.

More information

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

  • summarize information from various written and oral sources and present reasons and explanations in a coherent presentation;

  • express yourself fluently, spontaneously and precisely, being able to clarify nuances of meaning;

  • easily understand practically everything you read or hear in German.

According to the framework regulations for studying, the Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom entitles you to study at any German-speaking university. In Germany, the certificate is also recognized as proof of language skills within the teaching qualification programs.

Framework regulations on German language examinations for studying at German universities (RO-DT) (german version)(PDF, 391 KB)

Please contact the university of your choice in advance to establish which Goethe certificate you need to present for your study program.

Informationen zur Prüfung

Requirements

The Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom is a German exam for adults.
The Goethe-Institut exams are generally open to anyone and can be taken regardless of age or nationality. The minimum age is only our recommendation. 

  • For the Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom, we recommend an age of 18+.

  • The Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom requires language skills at the sixth and highest level of competence (C2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • To reach this level, you need at least 1,000 lessons of 45 minutes each, depending on your previous knowledge and learning requirements.

  • To complete the literature-related tasks, you can find the literature list here

    Goethe-Zertifikat C2 Literature list(PDF, 55 KB)

Exam preparation

Best preparation for the exam

  • 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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