Goethe levels and the CEFR
Goethe exam levels explained: A1 to C2
The Goethe-Institut has German exams at six levels of the CEFR: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. A1 passes with 60 of 100 points in total, A2 with 60 of 100 points and a minimum in writing and speaking, and B1 to C2 with 60 of 100 points in each module.
Updated 21 October 2026, Faust Academy team
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Each level certifies what you can do in German, from simple everyday phrases at A1 to full mastery at C2. German law uses these levels for visas, residence and citizenship.
You can register for any level. The Goethe-Institut does not ask for a certificate of a lower level first.
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The six Goethe levels
| Level | Exam | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 | Use simple everyday phrases, introduce yourself, fill in simple forms |
| A2 | Goethe-Zertifikat A2 | Handle routine everyday tasks and short talks on familiar topics |
| B1 | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 | Handle everyday life, work and travel on your own |
| B2 | Goethe-Zertifikat B2 | Talk with ease on many topics, including your work |
| C1 | Goethe-Zertifikat C1 | Use German with ease for study and work |
| C2 | Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom | Understand with ease what you hear or read |
Every Goethe level at a glance
| Level | Written parts | Speaking | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Reading 25, listening 20, writing 20 minutes | 3 parts, group exam | 60 percent of all points |
| A2 | Reading 30, listening 30, writing 30 minutes | 3 parts, paired exam | 60 percent: 45 of 75 points written and 15 of 25 points speaking |
| B1 | Reading 65, listening 40, writing 60 minutes | 3 parts, paired exam | 60 of 100 points in each module |
| B2 | Reading 65, listening 40, writing 75 minutes | 2 parts, paired exam | 60 of 100 points in each module |
| C1 | Reading 65, listening 40, writing 75 minutes | 2 parts, paired exam | 60 of 100 points in each module |
| C2 | Reading 80, listening 35, writing 80 minutes | 2 parts, one to one exam | 60 of 100 points in each module |
How the levels are scored
Goethe A1: the exam has 100 points, 75 written and 25 speaking. You pass with 60 points in total, and you must take every part.
Goethe A2: you pass with 60 of 100 points in total. At least 45 of the 75 written points and at least 15 of the 25 speaking points are necessary.
Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2: each module has 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points. Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2 are modular. You can take Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen alone or together, and each passed module gets a certificate.
Which level for which goal
From German law and the Goethe-Institut. The office that handles your case decides which certificate it accepts.
| Goal | Level | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse visa | A1 | Section 30 Residence Act, with exceptions |
| Citizenship | B1 | Section 10 Nationality Act |
| Settlement permit | B1 | Section 9 Residence Act |
| Settlement with an EU Blue Card | A1 after 27 months or B1 after 21 months | Section 18c Residence Act |
| Vocational training (Ausbildung) visa | B1, with exceptions | Section 16a Residence Act |
| Study at any German speaking university | C2 | Goethe-Institut university list |
| Nursing permit | No level in the law | Section 2 Nursing Professions Act; the state office decides |
How to choose your level
If your visa, office or university names a level, prepare for that level. If you do not know where you stand, take one practice paper at the level you want and read your result by part.
The Goethe-Institut recommends the adult exams from A1 to C1 from 16 years, and the C2 exam from 18 years.
Each Goethe level in detail
- The Goethe A1 exam
- The Goethe A2 exam
- The Goethe B1 exam
- The Goethe B2 exam
- The Goethe C1 exam
- The Goethe C2 exam
Practice tests by level and part
- Goethe A1 reading practice test
- Goethe A1 listening practice test
- Goethe A1 writing practice test
- Goethe A2 reading practice test
- Goethe A2 listening practice test
- Goethe A2 writing practice test
- Goethe B1 reading practice test
- Goethe B1 listening practice test
- Goethe B1 writing practice test
- Goethe B2 reading practice test
- Goethe B2 listening practice test
- Goethe B2 writing practice test
- Goethe C1 reading practice test
- Goethe C1 listening practice test
- Goethe C1 writing practice test
- Goethe C2 reading practice test
- Goethe C2 listening practice test
- Goethe C2 writing practice test
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between the Goethe levels and the CEFR?
- The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the European scale of language levels from A1 to C2. The Goethe exams certify these levels for German, one exam per level.
- Which Goethe level do I need for German citizenship?
- For German citizenship you need German at level B1 (section 10 StAG). The Goethe-Institut states that the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is accepted as proof of German for the settlement permit and for citizenship in Germany.
- Is the pass mark the same at every level?
- No. Goethe A1: the exam has 100 points, 75 written and 25 speaking. You pass with 60 points in total, and you must take every part. Goethe A2: you pass with 60 of 100 points in total. At least 45 of the 75 written points and at least 15 of the 25 speaking points are necessary. Goethe B1, B2, C1 and C2: each module has 100 points. You pass a module with 60 points.
- Can I skip a level, for example go from A2 straight to B2?
- Yes. You do not need a certificate of a lower level to register. A practice paper at your target level shows whether that level fits you now.
- What is the highest Goethe level?
- C2. The exam is the Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS).
- How long is a Goethe certificate valid?
- The Goethe-Institut exam rules set no expiry date for a certificate. The office that asks for your certificate decides which certificates it accepts. Anyone can check that a certificate is real at goethe.de/verify.
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Sources
- Goethe-Institut exam rules (Prüfungsordnung), 1 September 2025
- Goethe-Institut: German exams from A1 to C2
- German Residence Act, section 30 (spouse reunion)
- German Nationality Act, section 10 (citizenship)
- German Residence Act, section 9 (settlement permit)
- German Residence Act, section 18c (settlement for skilled workers)
- German Residence Act, section 16a (vocational training)
- Goethe-Institut: Goethe certificates accepted for university study, May 2026
- Nursing Professions Act (PflBG), section 2