Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS) Lesen
Goethe C2 reading practice test
The Goethe C2 reading test (Lesen) takes 80 minutes and has 4 parts with 30 tasks. You pass the Lesen module with 60 of 100 points.
Updated 25 September 2026, Faust Academy team
Faust has 12 Goethe C2 Lesen practice papers in this format. On Faust, one scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free. Every online paper gets a result.
Faust Academy is independent practice. It is not a product of the Goethe-Institut and issues no certificates.
No signup needed. The practice exam starts right in the browser.
The parts of the Goethe C2 reading test
| Part | Task type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Multiple choice | 10 tasks, 25 minutes |
| Part 2 | Match statements to text sections | 6 tasks, 20 minutes |
| Part 3 | Match paragraphs to gaps or tasks | 6 tasks, 25 minutes |
| Part 4 | Matching | 8 tasks, 10 minutes |
How reading is scored at C2
Each of the four modules is scored out of 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points, and each module counts on its own.
Lesen is a module of its own. You can take it alone or with the other modules, and you can retake it alone.
How to practise Goethe C2 reading
- Plan your time by part: part 1 25 minutes, part 2 20 minutes, part 3 25 minutes, part 4 10 minutes.
- Know the task types before the exam: multiple choice, match statements to text sections, match paragraphs to gaps or tasks, matching.
- Work under the real time limit, not with extra time.
- Check your result by part and practise the part that cost you the most points.
More Goethe C2 practice
- Goethe C2 listening practice test
- Goethe C2 writing practice test
- The Goethe C2 exam
- Goethe C2 Lesen papers (German page)
- Goethe C2 Lesen paper 1 as a PDF
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Goethe C2 reading test?
- It takes 80 minutes and has 4 parts with 30 tasks.
- How many points do I need to pass Goethe C2 reading?
- Each of the four modules is scored out of 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points, and each module counts on its own.
- What does Goethe C2 reading practice cost on Faust?
- On Faust, one scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free. Full access to every paper is paid. The pricing page shows the current price.
- Can I take only the Goethe C2 Lesen module?
- Yes. From B1 up, you can take Lesen alone or with the other modules, and a passed module gets its own certificate. You can also retake Lesen alone.
- How many Goethe C2 reading papers does Faust have?
- Faust has 12 Goethe C2 Lesen papers. Each one follows the parts in the table above, and each online paper gets a result.
Ready? Start a practice paper now.
Sources
- Goethe-Institut exam rules for C2 (Durchführungsbestimmungen), 1 September 2025
- Goethe-Institut exam rules (Prüfungsordnung), 1 September 2025