Most of our students take the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 as their first German exam. Knowing the format removes a lot of exam-day anxiety, so here is what the day looks like.
The four parts
- Listening (Hören): short announcements, phone messages and conversations. You hear some items twice.
- Reading (Lesen): short notes, small adverts, emails and signs.
- Writing (Schreiben): filling in a simple form, then writing a short message such as a note to a neighbour or a reply to an invitation.
- Speaking (Sprechen): usually in a small group. You introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions using word cards, then make and respond to a simple request.
Scoring
The written parts are taken together in one sitting, and speaking is held in a group. You need roughly 60 percent overall to pass. Check the exact scoring and timing with the exam center where you register, because details can change.
What trips students up
- Speaking. It is the part students practise least and the part that needs a live partner. Use the speaking drills in the portal and the live classes.
- Form filling. Easy marks, often lost because the vocabulary of forms (Vorname, Familienname, Geburtsdatum, Postleitzahl) was never revised.
- Listening speed. Train with real audio, not only with your teacher's slow classroom German.
How we prepare you
The A1 course covers the whole syllabus, and the portal adds exam-style practice in each of the four skills with instant feedback. Nearer the exam we run practice sessions in the live classroom so that speaking in front of other people feels normal.
Registering for the exam
Exam registration is done at an official exam center, and the fee is paid to them. Message us and we will explain the current process and the documents you need.
