Speaking
Writing
Reading
Listening
Structure of the Exam and Its Sections
Listening is the first section of the Goethe exam and checks how well you understand spoken German. You’ll hear recordings like dialogues, announcements, interviews, or monologues. The content depends on your level: at A1, it’s pretty easy — short sentences, clear contexts, minimal detail. At B2 or C1, it’s full conversations where you need to grasp both the main idea and specific details. The recordings are played once or twice, and then you answer questions: multiple choice, inserting missing phrases, arranging events in the right order. What matters isn’t just hearing the words, but catching the context. Also, you might hear different accents, so it’s a good idea to listen to podcasts, news, or German YouTubers before the exam. That way, you get used to various speaking styles. Some recordings are fast-paced, and there’s not much time to think, so practicing in advance is key. But don’t panic — the questions are clearly written, and if you understand even part of the recording, you can usually figure out the correct answer.
Speaking is probably the most nerve-wracking part of the Goethe exam, especially if you’re not used to speaking German aloud. But in practice, it’s not as bad as it sounds. The exam is conducted either one-on-one with an examiner or with another participant. Usually, the format goes like this: first, you’re asked simple questions — your name, where you’re from, what your hobbies are. Then, you need to describe a picture or a situation. Finally, you have a short conversation on a given topic. At levels A1–A2, it might be a dialogue in a store or talking about your favorite food. At B2–C1, the topics are more abstract — for example, the pros and cons of online education. The most important thing is not to go silent. Even if you make mistakes, speak confidently. Perfection isn’t required — what matters is being understood. Before the test, it helps to practice speaking with friends, a tutor, or even by thinking aloud. This helps you sound more natural and stay calm. And yes, if you don’t understand the question, it’s totally fine to ask for it to be repeated — that’s not a mistake.
In the Goethe writing section, you’ll have to produce a text in German. It might be a letter to a friend, a complaint to a transport company, a review, or a formal request — depending on your level. At A1, it’s basic: write about yourself, your family, your plans. At B1, you’ll need to give your opinion and support it. At C1, you’ll be expected to write clear, logical, well-structured texts. You’re assessed not just on grammar, but also on how clearly you express your thoughts. Often, the tasks are based on specific situations that must be addressed in the correct tone — formal or informal. There are word count requirements, and it’s important not to write less than what’s asked. To avoid getting stuck, it’s best to practice ahead of time — write short texts, letters, or descriptions of situations. The key is not just throwing in phrases but building a logical structure: introduction, main body, and conclusion. The clearer your ideas and the fewer mistakes you make, the higher your score.
The reading section in the Goethe exam tests how well you understand written German. You’ll be given several texts of different lengths: these might be announcements, letters, articles, blog posts, instructions, or even complaints. After the text, there are questions: choose the right answer, match statements, or fill in missing parts. The difficulty depends on the level — at A1, texts are simple, like “the store is open from 8 to 6,” but at B2, topics can be abstract and require interpreting subtext. Sometimes you’ll be asked for specific details, and sometimes for the overall meaning. So practice is essential: read as much as you can — websites, news, social media, anything you find. It’s especially helpful to train yourself to get the general meaning without translating every word — that saves time and really helps on the test. And yes, there’s a time limit, so reading quickly is your best friend.
The Goethe exam is structured clearly and without unnecessary bureaucracy. It consists of four standard parts that together give a complete picture of your German skills. The first part is listening comprehension. You’ll hear various audio recordings: announcements, dialogues, interviews, and sometimes even podcast or radio excerpts. You need to listen carefully and answer questions afterward. It all depends on your level: A1 has short, simple phrases, while C1 features long, complex texts with subtext. The second part is reading comprehension. You’re given texts on different topics — from personal letters to news articles — and need to understand not just the words, but the meaning. Next is writing. This section tests your ability to express your thoughts in writing. You might have to write a short letter, a complaint, an announcement, or a story — depending on your level. And of course, there’s speaking. This part is done face-to-face with an examiner or with another candidate. You’ll need to answer questions, describe a situation, and hold a conversation. The entire exam lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours: first come the written sections, then the speaking portion, which is sometimes held on a separate day. Everything is straightforward and fair — no tricks.