# Faust Academy

## The Goethe A1 exam: format, timing and pass mark

URL: https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-exam
Language: en
Updated: 2026-09-25

You pass the Goethe A1 exam with 60 of 100 points in total, and you must take every part. The exam has four parts: reading (25 minutes), listening (20 minutes), writing (20 minutes) and speaking as a group exam.

A1 is the first level. It shows that you can use simple everyday German: introduce yourself, ask simple questions and understand short notices.

Many people take A1 for the German spouse visa. A spouse who joins a partner in Germany must be able to communicate in German at least in a simple way (section 30 AufenthG). German law sets simple German at level A1 (section 2 (9) AufenthG). The law lists exceptions, for example for spouses of EU Blue Card holders.

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. Book the real exam at a Goethe-Institut or a Goethe test centre.

### The four parts of the Goethe A1 exam

| Part | Length | Tasks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reading (Lesen) | 25 minutes | 15 tasks in 3 parts |
| Listening (Hören) | 20 minutes | 15 tasks in 3 parts |
| Writing (Schreiben) | 20 minutes | 2 writing tasks |
| Speaking (Sprechen) | Oral exam | 3 parts, group exam |

### Goethe A1 pass marks

The whole exam counts together. You must take every part, and you need 60 points in total.

| Part | Maximum points | You need |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Written exam (Hören, Lesen, Schreiben) | 75 | Counts toward the total |
| Speaking (Sprechen) | 25 | Counts toward the total |
| Whole exam | 100 | 60 points |

### How the parts fit together

Goethe A1 is one exam, not separate modules. The written part, reading, listening and writing, takes 65 minutes. Speaking is a separate group exam.

Because the whole exam counts together, a strong score in one part can make up for a weaker score in another part, as long as you reach 60 points in total.

### Reading, listening and writing in detail

- Reading (Lesen), 25 minutes. Part 1: true or false, 5 tasks. Part 2: find information in short ads, 5 tasks. Part 3: true or false, 5 tasks.
- Listening (Hören), 20 minutes. Part 1: multiple choice, 6 tasks, audio played twice. Part 2: true or false, 4 tasks, audio played once. Part 3: multiple choice, 5 tasks, audio played twice.
- Writing (Schreiben), 20 minutes. Part 1: fill in a form, 10 minutes, 5 points. Part 2: write a short message, 10 minutes, 10 points.

### The A1 speaking exam

Speaking is a group exam with no more than four candidates. It lasts 15 minutes, and there is no preparation time. The exam has 3 parts.

You introduce yourself, and you spell a word and say a number. Then you ask and answer questions on everyday topics from word cards. In the last part you make requests and react to the requests of other people.

### Results, certificate and age

The test centre where you took the exam gives you the results. It cannot release a result early for one person. The Goethe-Institut issues the certificate on paper or as a PDF. The test centre decides the form. Anyone can check a certificate at goethe.de/verify.

If you lose the certificate, the test centre where you registered can issue a replacement within 10 years, for a fee. The Goethe-Institut recommends the adult A1 exam from 16 years. You do not need a certificate of a lower level to register.

### Goethe A1 practice papers on Faust

Faust has 48 Goethe A1 practice papers: 12 for Lesen, 12 for Hören, 12 for Schreiben and 12 for Sprechen. Every PDF is free, with the answers, and every listening paper comes with its audio.

Full access to every paper is paid. The pricing page shows the current price.

### Practise each part of Goethe A1

- [Goethe A1 reading practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-reading-practice-test)
- [Goethe A1 listening practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-listening-practice-test)
- [Goethe A1 writing practice test](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-writing-practice-test)
- [Goethe A1 Sprechen (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-sprechen)
- [Goethe A1 Modelltest PDFs (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-a1-modelltest)
- [Goethe points calculator (German page)](https://www.faustacademy.com/tools/goethe-punkte-rechner)

### Questions

**How long is the Goethe A1 exam?**

Reading takes 25 minutes, listening 20 minutes and writing 20 minutes. Speaking has 3 parts. Speaking is a group exam with no more than four candidates. It lasts 15 minutes, and there is no preparation time.

**How many points do I need to pass Goethe A1?**

You pass the Goethe A1 exam with 60 of 100 points in total, and you must take every part.

**How many tasks are in the A1 reading and listening parts?**

Reading has 15 tasks in 3 parts. Listening has 15 tasks in 3 parts. Writing has 2 writing tasks.

**How long is the Goethe A1 certificate valid?**

The Goethe-Institut exam rules set no expiry date for the A1 certificate. The office that asks for your certificate, such as an embassy, a university or an employer, decides which certificates it accepts, so ask that office. Anyone can check that a certificate is real at goethe.de/verify.

**Can I retake the Goethe A1 exam?**

Yes. You can retake the A1 exam as often as you want. The test centre can set a waiting time before a retake date and tells you with your result.

**Where do I get my Goethe exam result?**

The test centre where you took the exam gives you the result. The Goethe-Institut does not release a result early for one person. The exam rules give no fixed number of days, so ask your test centre when it sends results.

**Is Goethe A1 enough for the German spouse visa?**

A spouse who joins a partner in Germany must be able to communicate in German at least in a simple way (section 30 AufenthG). German law sets simple German at level A1 (section 2 (9) AufenthG). The law lists exceptions, for example for spouses of EU Blue Card holders. The German embassy or consulate that handles your visa decides which certificate it accepts.

**What does Goethe A1 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.

### Sources

- [Goethe-Institut exam rules for A1 (Durchführungsbestimmungen), 1 September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Durchfuehrungsbestimmungen_A1_Start_Deutsch_1.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut exam rules (Prüfungsordnung), 1 September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Pruefungsordnung.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut: German exams from A1 to C2](https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/prf.html)
- [German Residence Act, section 30 (spouse reunion)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__30.html)
- [German Residence Act, section 2 (language level definitions)](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__2.html)