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Why is the German examination important?
Good German language skills are valuable all over the world, and they are even more valuable when supported by a language certificate. Only after taking an examination, can you evaluate your own language skills accurately, and only with a recognized certificate can you prove it to others as well, when applying for a job or for admission to universities.

 

The Goethe-Institut’s Certificates:

  • Provide a clear statement of language proficiency and level of understanding.
  • Are internationally recognised and have an excellent reputation.
  • Permit admission to a university or college in Germany.
  • Improve future career opportunities and simplify matters when switching schools, even when moving away from Germany.
  • Represent proof of foreign language skills, irrespective of school curricula and school grades.

 

GOETHE-ZERTIFIKAT A1 –  START DEUTSCH 1
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1 is a German examination for adults. It is proof of very basic language skills and corresponds to level A1. Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut are recognized throughout the world and are valued by employers and colleges for further education in many countries as proof of qualification.

By passing the examination, candidates show that they

  • Can express themselves in a basic manner if the conversation partners speak slowly and clearly.
  • Understand and are able to use familiar every day and commonly used expressions and simple sentences.
  • Can introduce themselves and others and can ask other people questions about themselves e.g. where they live, who they know or what belongings they have.
  • Are recognised as the “official” proof of language proficiency by the Embassies and Consulates of the Federal Republic of Germany world-wide

Written Examination – You will listen to short every day conversations, personal phone, messages or public announcements over a loud speaker and do exercises on them.
Examination duration: 65 minutes

Oral Examination – You will introduce yourself to the group. A relaxed question & answer session about everyday issues will follow and you will ask someone in the group about something.
Examination duration: 15 minutes

GOETHE-ZERTIFIKAT A2:
 The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 is a German Examination for adults. Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut are recognized throughout the world and are valued by employers and colleges for further education in many countries as proof of qualification.

By passing the examination, candidates show that they

  • Can express themselves in simple routine situations involving an exchange of information about familiar and common topics.
  • Can describe where they come from and their education, their immediate environment and things associated with their immediate needs using basic means.

Written Examination – You will read texts such as brief notes, tables of contents, newspaper reports and classified advertisements, sign posts or posters and do exercises on them. You will fill in simple forms and write a short personal text in response to a letter, e-mail messages or fax.
Examination duration: 90 minutes
Oral Examination – You will introduce yourself in a conversation. You will then ask and reply to questions on everyday matters and you can make some arrangements with your conversation partner, such as an appointment to go shopping together.
Examination Duration: 15 minutes

GOETHE-ZERTIFIKAT B1
The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is a German Examination for adults and young people. It provides proof of sound use of the German language and corresponds to level B1. Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut are recognized throughout the world and are valued by employers and colleges alike as proof of qualification.

The examination was developed jointly by the Goethe-Institut, the University of Switzerland and the Osterreichisches Sprachdiplom  Deutsch (OSD) and is offered worldwide under the name Goethe-Zertifikat B1 or OSD Zertifikat B1.  By passing the examination, candidates show that they

  • Can understand essential information if clear standard language is used and if the topics involve familiar areas from the areas of work, school. leisure and so forth.
  • Can comment simply and coherently on familiar topics and areas of personal interest.

Written Examination: 165 minutes duration 
Reading Module – You will read blogs, email, messages, newspapers, articles and written instructions. You will show that you are able to grasp essential information and important details as well as points of view and opinions.
Listening Module –  You will listen to announcements, short talks, informal conversations and discussions on the radio. This proves that you are able to grasp the main points and important details.
Writing Module – You will write personal and formal emails and letters and express your opinion in writing in a forum post.
Speaking Module – 15 minutes duration
You will speak to your partner about an everyday topic e.g. travel. This includes responding to questions, expressing your opinion and making suggestions. You will prove your presentation proficiency on an everyday topic and answer questions about it.

GOETHE-ZERTIFIKAT B2:
The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is a German Examination for adults and young people. This is proof of advanced language skills and corresponds to level four(B2). Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut are recognized throughout the world and are valued by employers and colleges alike as a proof of qualification. The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is recognized in many countries as an initial requirement for studying German.

By passing the examination, candidates show that they:

  • Understand the main content of more complex texts on specific and abstract topics and can also understand professional discussions within their own specific field.
  • Can express themselves with such fluency that a normal conversation with a native German speaker is easily possible without particular effort on either side.

Written Examination – You will read different texts such as advertisements, catalogue entries reference book texts, reviews and reports. You will listen to discussions and telephone conversations and then correct or add to what you have heard and categorise statements. In addition, you can listen to an interview on a current social topic and can complete an exercise on
Examination duration: 190 minutes
Oral or Individual Examination – You will introduce yourself to your conversation partner, comment on a current topic and negotiate verbally with your conversation partner.
Examination duration: 15 minutes.

GOETHE-ZERTIFIKAT C1:
The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is a German Examination for adults and young people. It is a proof of very advanced language skills and corresponds to level five(C1). Certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut are recognized throughout the world and are valued by employers and colleges alike as a proof of qualification.

By passing the examination, candidates show that they

  • Understand a wide range of demanding and lengthy texts and can also grasp implicit meanings.
  • Can express themselves spontaneously and fluently without needing to search for or think about words now and then.
  • Can comment clearly and comprehensively on complex issues.
  • You will read factual texts from books as well commentaries, reviews and reports.
  • You will listen to dialogues, telephonic conversations, radio reports etc.
  • You will receive information about this in a graphic format.

Examination duration: 190 minutes

Oral or Individual Examination – In the first part of the examination, you will comment briefly on a short text. You will then converse with your partner in order to come to a joint decision or find a solution.
Examination Duration: 15 minutes