Goethe A1 (Start Deutsch 1): what the exam looks like and how to prepare
What exactly awaits you in the A1 exam, how long each part takes, how many points you need to pass and how to prepare in a few weeks.
For many people the A1 certificate is their first official German document. It's most often required for family reunification, and it's also a good first goal when you're starting from zero. The exam isn't hard once you know what it looks like, so let's go through it part by part.
What the exam consists of
The Goethe Start Deutsch 1 exam has a written part of about 65 minutes and a speaking part of about 15 minutes, usually taken in a small group. The ÖSD Zertifikat A1 and telc Start Deutsch 1 cover the same level, and their format is very similar.
| Part | Duration | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Hören (listening) | about 20 min | Short conversations, messages and announcements; you pick the correct answer |
| Lesen (reading) | about 25 min | Short texts, ads and signs; true or false and multiple choice |
| Schreiben (writing) | about 20 min | You fill in a form and write a short message of a few sentences |
| Sprechen (speaking) | about 15 min | Introducing yourself, questions and answers on everyday topics, requests |
What the speaking part looks like
For most people the speaking part is the most stressful, yet it's actually the most predictable. The questions repeat year after year because A1 covers a limited number of topics.
- 1You introduce yourself: name, age, where you're from, where you live, languages, work or school, hobbies.
- 2You get a card with a topic (for example food or housing), ask another candidate a question, then answer theirs.
- 3You get a card with a picture and make a request, for example asking someone to open a window or pass you a pen.
A preparation plan
If you're starting from zero
Count on about three months of regular work. That's exactly how long our A1 group course lasts, and you can get through the video course faster if you have more time.
If you already have the basics
- Spend a week or two on vocabulary from typical A1 topics: family, food, shopping, housing, weather, work.
- Do at least two practice tests in real time. The Goethe Institut publishes them for free on its website.
- Say your introduction out loud every day until it flows without thinking.
- Practise writing a short message: greeting, reason for writing, two or three pieces of information, a closing.
If you're not sure which course to start with, the home page has a five-question course finder that recommends a course based on your level, time and goal.
Want this explained step by step?
In our courses we go through the whole level like this: with explanations in our language, exercises and corrections.