Goethe-Zertifikat A1
Format, scoring and sample tasks for every module of the Goethe A1 exam.
Who needs A1
A1 is the entry point. Required for some family-reunification visas to Germany; useful for travellers who want a baseline of survival German. It certifies that you can introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and understand simple texts about everyday life.
A1 is not enough for German citizenship. Naturalization requires at least B1. If you are learning German for citizenship, you can either start at A1 and work up, or start directly with A2 / B1 if you already have prior knowledge.
Preparation time: 2–4 months from zero with consistent daily study (30 min/day). The Goethe-Institut estimates 80–200 guided teaching units (45 min each) for A1.
Exam structure
Four short modules. Breaks are included in the total time.
Lesen (reading)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Kurze Nachrichten true or false | true or false | 5 | 5 |
| Teil 2 | Wo finden Sie Informationen? multiple choice | multiple choice | 5 | 5 |
| Teil 3 | Schilder und Anzeigen true or false | true or false | 5 | 5 |
A1 Lesen has three Teile and 15 items — 5 points per Teil. All texts are short and concrete, well under 100 words each.
Teil 1: Kurze Nachrichten
5 tasks, 5 points
Two short personal texts (an e-mail or message and a handwritten note). Five statements spread across both texts — mark each Richtig or Falsch.
Teil 2: Wo finden Sie Informationen?
5 tasks, 5 points
Five everyday situations. Each comes with two possible sources (two websites) — choose the one where you would find that information.
Teil 3: Schilder und Anzeigen
5 tasks, 5 points
Five signs and notices from everyday places (language school, post office, station, restaurant, bus stop). Mark each statement Richtig or Falsch.
Tips
- All A1 texts are short — do not expect complexity
- Teil 2: ignore the wording overlap and ask what each website is actually for
- Teil 3: read the place first ("Am Bahnhof", "An der Haltestelle") — it frames the notice
Common mistakes
- Teil 1: assigning a statement to the wrong text — the five statements are split across two texts, not one
- Teil 2: reading only the situation and not both websites — the answer is the source that would carry that information, not the one with a familiar word in its address
- Teil 3: overthinking a short notice — the signs test literal comprehension only
Hören (listening)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Kurze Gespräche und Ansagen multiple choice | multiple choice | 6 | 6 |
| Teil 2 | Durchsagen true or false | true or false | 4 | 4 |
| Teil 3 | Telefonische Informationen multiple choice | multiple choice | 5 | 5 |
A1 Hören has three Teile. Teil 1 and Teil 3 are played twice; Teil 2 is played once.
Teil 1: Kurze Gespräche und Ansagen
6 tasks, 6 points
6 short conversations or announcements. One multiple-choice question per text (a/b/c). Played twice.
Teil 1 — Audio played twice
Listen to six short A1 texts, then choose a/b/c for each question.
0:00Teil 2: Durchsagen
4 tasks, 4 points
4 short announcements. Mark each statement True or False. Played once.
Teil 2 — Audio played once
Listen to four short announcements, then mark each statement True or False.
0:00In the real exam this Teil is played once — try listening only once before answering.
Teil 3: Telefonische Informationen
5 tasks, 5 points
5 short messages or information texts. One multiple-choice question per text (a/b/c). Played twice.
Teil 3 — Audio played twice
Listen to five short messages, then choose a/b/c for each question.
0:00
Tips
- Know cardinal and ordinal numbers 1–100 cold before the exam
- Notes in your native language during playback are allowed — no penalty
Common mistakes
- Numbers and times — A1 audio heavily tests these
- Missing key location or time words because of unfamiliar surrounding vocabulary
Schreiben (writing)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Formular ausfüllen form-fill | form-fill | 1 | 5 |
| Teil 2 | Kurze Mitteilung short writing (~30–80 words) | short writing (~30–80 words) | 1 | 10 |
Markers look for completion of all required fields and use of basic personal vocabulary.
Teil 1: Formular ausfüllen
1 task, 5 points
Fill in a short personal-information form (name, age, hobby, address).
Teil 2: Kurze Mitteilung
1 task, 10 points
Cover three given content points in about 30 words, plus a greeting and a sign-off. In the official Modellsatz the message goes to an institution (a tourist office), so write with "Sie" — this is a short semi-formal enquiry, not a note to a friend.
Tips
- Teil 2: draft first, count words, then copy neatly
- Answer all three content points — each is scored separately (3 points each)
- Anrede and Gruß carry their own point — never send the message without them
Common mistakes
- Writing too long in Teil 2 — 30 words is intentionally short
- Writing "du" in Teil 2 — the Modellsatz addresses an office, so "Sie" is expected
- Missing required fields in the Teil 1 form
Sprechen (speaking)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Sich vorstellen self-introduction | self-introduction | 1 | 5 |
| Teil 2 | Um Informationen bitten und Informationen geben asking for and giving information | asking for and giving information | 1 | 5 |
| Teil 3 | Bitte formulieren und darauf reagieren making a request and reacting to one | making a request and reacting to one | 1 | 5 |
Taken in a group („Sprechen Sie bitte in der Gruppe"). Each of the three Teile runs about five minutes. Pronunciation matters more than perfect grammar at A1.
Teil 1: Sich vorstellen
1 task, 5 points
Introduce yourself from seven keyword cards: Name, Alter, Land, Wohnort, Sprachen, Beruf, Hobby. About 5 minutes for the group.
Teil 2: Um Informationen bitten und Informationen geben
1 task, 5 points
Each candidate draws word cards from a shared theme. Turn your word into a question, your partner answers — then you swap. About 5 minutes for the group.
Teil 3: Bitte formulieren und darauf reagieren
1 task, 5 points
Each candidate draws picture cards of everyday objects. Make a polite request from the picture; your partner says yes or says why not. About 5 minutes for the group.
Tips
- Memorise a seven-point self-introduction — Teil 1 is highly predictable, and Wohnort is easy to forget
- Teil 2: turn the word on the card straight into a question — „Sport?" → „Machen Sie Sport?"
- Teil 3: „Können Sie bitte…?" fits almost every picture card
Common mistakes
- Answering in Teil 2 instead of asking — your turn starts with a question, not an answer
- Planning a trip together in Teil 3 — that is the A2 exam; at A1 you make a request from a picture
- Going completely silent instead of using "Moment bitte" or "Können Sie das wiederholen?"
Practice for the A1 exam
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