Goethe-Zertifikat B2
Format and scoring for the Goethe B2 exam. We do not have B2 practice yet.
Who needs B2
B2 is a step toward German-taught university study (most degrees then ask for about C1, shown with TestDaF or DSH), a common requirement for many regulated professions (medicine, nursing, law), and for white-collar employment in German-speaking environments. It also exceeds the language requirement for citizenship.
Preparation time: 6–12 months from B1 with consistent study. The Goethe-Institut estimates 600–800 guided teaching units (45 min each) from zero to B2.
Exam structure
B2 asks for authentic-rate listening, structured argument writing and discourse-level speaking. Breaks are included in the total time.
Lesen (reading)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Forumsbeiträge — wer sagt das? matching | matching | 9 | 30 |
| Teil 2 | Lückentext — Sätze einsetzen matching | matching | 6 | 20 |
| Teil 3 | Zeitungsartikel — Multiple Choice multiple choice | multiple choice | 6 | 20 |
| Teil 4 | Meinungsäußerungen und Überschriften matching | matching | 6 | 20 |
| Teil 5 | Verordnungstext und Inhaltsverzeichnis matching | matching | 3 | 10 |
Four of the five Teile are assignment tasks (person, sentence, heading), so the decisive skill is reading a whole paragraph for its point rather than hunting single words.
Teil 1: Forumsbeiträge — wer sagt das?
9 tasks, 30 points
One online forum on a lifestyle question, with four signed contributions (a–d). Nine statements: decide which person each one fits. A person can be the answer more than once. Suggested time: 18 minutes.
Teil 2: Lückentext — Sätze einsetzen
6 tasks, 20 points
One magazine article with six gaps. Eight complete sentences are offered; six fit the gaps and two do not. You are matching sentences to gaps, not single words. Suggested time: 12 minutes.
Teil 3: Zeitungsartikel — Multiple Choice
6 tasks, 20 points
One newspaper article, then six questions with three options each (a/b/c) on specific information and on the writer's intent. Suggested time: 12 minutes.
Teil 4: Meinungsäußerungen und Überschriften
6 tasks, 20 points
Eight short opinion pieces on one topic and six headings. Find the heading each opinion belongs to. One opinion fits none of them, and the one used in the worked example cannot be used again. Suggested time: 12 minutes.
Teil 5: Verordnungstext und Inhaltsverzeichnis
3 tasks, 10 points
One set of regulations (a Studienordnung in the official model paper) together with its table of contents. Three numbered paragraphs: decide which heading each belongs under. Only three items, but the shortest time — 6 minutes.
Tips
- Teil 1: read the four contributions once, then the statements — the statements are paraphrases, never quotations
- Teil 2: two of the eight sentences fit nowhere, so a leftover sentence is expected — do not force it into a gap
- Teil 5 is only three items and six minutes: skim the table of contents FIRST, then read each paragraph for its topic
Common mistakes
- Assuming each person in Teil 1 is the answer exactly once — the rubric says explicitly that a person can be chosen more than once
- Reading only the words around a gap in Teil 2 — the inserted sentence has to fit the sentence BEFORE and the one AFTER
- Matching a Teil 4 heading to the opinion that repeats its words, instead of the one that makes its point
Hören (listening)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Gespräche und Äußerungen multiple choice | multiple choice | 10 | 33 |
| Teil 2 | Radiointerview multiple choice | multiple choice | 6 | 20 |
| Teil 3 | Diskussion matching | matching | 6 | 20 |
| Teil 4 | Vortrag multiple choice | multiple choice | 8 | 27 |
Teil 1 and Teil 3 are played once; Teil 2 and Teil 4 are played twice.
Teil 1: Gespräche und Äußerungen
10 tasks, 33 points
5 short conversations or statements. Two questions per text: one True/False and one multiple-choice. Played once.
Teil 1 — Audio played once
Listen to five short texts, then answer one True/False and one multiple-choice question for each.
0:00In the real exam this Teil is played once — try listening only once before answering.
Teil 2: Radiointerview
6 tasks, 20 points
One radio interview with a science/subject expert. 6 multiple-choice questions. Played twice.
Teil 2 — Audio played twice
Listen to one radio interview about future food, then answer six multiple-choice questions.
0:00Teil 3: Diskussion
6 tasks, 20 points
One panel discussion, played once. 6 items: match each statement to the speaker who made it.
Teil 3 — Audio played once
Listen to a panel discussion on urban transport policy. Match each statement to the speaker.
0:00In the real exam this Teil is played once — try listening only once before answering.
Teil 4: Vortrag
8 tasks, 27 points
One short lecture or talk. 8 multiple-choice questions. Played twice.
Teil 4 — Audio played twice
Listen to one short lecture about work techniques, then answer eight multiple-choice questions.
0:00
Tips
- Label your notes by speaker initial in Teil 3
- Train with German radio at full speed before the exam — captioned material trains the wrong reflex
Common mistakes
- Missing implicit attitude or opinion questions (not just facts)
- Not distinguishing speakers in Teil 3 — all comments blur together
Schreiben (writing)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Forumsbeitrag opinion writing (~150 words) | opinion writing (~150 words) | 1 | 60 |
| Teil 2 | Formelle Nachricht formal writing (~100–150 words) | formal writing (~100–150 words) | 1 | 40 |
Structured argument and formal register both score heavily.
Teil 1: Forumsbeitrag
1 task, 60 points
Write a forum post of at least 150 words covering four given content points, with an introduction and a conclusion. Marked on how fully each content point is treated, on accuracy, and on how well sentences and paragraphs are linked.
Teil 2: Formelle Nachricht
1 task, 40 points
Write a message of at least 100 words covering four given content points, in an order you choose. In the official model paper it goes to your line manager at work; formal register (Sie, full salutation and sign-off) is expected either way.
Tips
- Teil 1 frame: Einleitung → Argument pro (+ Beispiel) → Argument contra (+ Beispiel) → eigene Meinung
- Teil 2: learn Konjunktiv II for polite requests ("Ich würde mich freuen, wenn…")
Common mistakes
- Writing in informal blog tone for Teil 1 — it should be a structured argument
- Not using formal register for Teil 2 (Sie form, full salutation, formal sign-off)
Sprechen (speaking)
| Teil | Title | Format | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Vortrag halten presentation | presentation | 1 | 50 |
| Teil 2 | Diskussion führen debate | debate | 1 | 50 |
Taken in pairs, with 15 minutes of preparation beforehand — you prepare alone and may take notes, but you are expected to speak freely, not read them out.
Teil 1: Vortrag halten
1 task, 50 points
Choose one of two given seminar topics, each with three bullet points. Speak for about 4 minutes with an introduction, a main part and a conclusion — then answer your partner's questions on it.
Teil 2: Diskussion führen
1 task, 50 points
Debate one current question with your partner: exchange positions, react to their arguments, and finish by summarising whether you are for or against. About 5 minutes.
Tips
- Learn B2 discourse markers: "Einerseits… andererseits…", "Im Gegensatz dazu…", "Trotzdem muss man sagen…"
- Teil 2: respond directly to your partner before adding your next point
Common mistakes
- Monologuing in Teil 2 instead of genuinely discussing
- Not signalling concession ("Das stimmt zwar, aber…") — examiners reward this explicitly
Next step: B1 practice
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