Goethe A1: Start Deutsch 1 Exam

The Goethe A1: Start Deutsch 1 Exam is a very simple language skills test at level A1 on the six-level competency scale of the Common European Framework of Reference. By passing the exam, students demonstrate that they can communicate in a very basic way in everyday life, taking into account the special language needs of children and young people.

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is a German exam for children and young people aged between 10 and 16. Goethe-Institut exams are available to all interested parties, regardless of whether they hold German nationality or not.

For the exam, students should have completed between 80 and 200 teaching units of 45 minutes each, depending on their previous knowledge and learning requirements.

By passing the exam, you demonstrate that...

• You can communicate in a simple way as long as the interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly.
• You understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases (e.g., information about yourself or your family, shopping, your work, and your immediate surroundings).
• You know how to introduce yourself and others. You can ask questions to other people, for example, about where they live, what kind of people they know, or about their belongings.
• You can ask and answer simple questions, as well as make requests and react to requests.
• You can write about yourself and others using simple expressions and phrases.
• You understand conversations and texts about familiar topics.

Where can you take the exam?

The exam can be taken at Goethe-Instituts worldwide and at institutions that have been granted an exam license by the Goethe-Institut.

Exam Parts

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 exam consists of four parts: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking (group oral exam).

• Reading: You should read, for example, short notes, small advertisements, descriptions of people, simple letters to the editor, or short journalistic texts and complete tasks related to them. Duration: 20 minutes.
• Writing: You should write a response to an email, a letter, an advertisement, or something similar. Duration: 20 minutes.
• Listening: You should listen to short everyday conversations, private phone communications, radio information, or similar and complete various tasks related to them. Duration: approximately 20 minutes.
• Speaking: You should introduce yourself, ask questions about everyday topics, and respond to simple questions. In addition, you should make requests and react to your interlocutor's inquiries in familiar situations. Duration: 15 minutes.

If you pass the exam, you can:

• Communicate in a simple way as long as the interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly.
• Understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases (e.g., information about yourself or your family, shopping, your work, and your immediate surroundings).
• Know how to introduce yourself and others. You can ask questions to other people, for example, about where they live, what kind of people they know, or about their belongings.

Requirements

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 exam is a German exam for children and young people aged between 10 and 16. Goethe-Institut exams are available to all interested parties and can be taken even if the minimum age requirement is not met and regardless of German nationality.

For the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 exam, it is recommended to have a minimum age of 10 years. It requires knowledge corresponding to the first level (A1) of the six-level competency scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To reach this level, depending on previous knowledge and learning conditions, between 80 and 200 classes of 45 minutes each are needed.