The German A1 Exam: What to Expect and How to Pass

The Goethe-Institut's "Start Deutsch 1" assesses basic German at level A1. This guide introduces its format and offers practice ideas. The exercise above is our own learning material, not an official exam or a certificate.

The four exam parts

Part	Duration	What happens
Hören (Listening)	~20 min	Short everyday dialogues, announcements, phone messages. Each plays twice (mostly).
Lesen (Reading)	~25 min	Short texts: notes, ads, signs, simple emails. True/false and matching tasks.
Schreiben (Writing)	~20 min	Fill in a form (name, address, etc.) + write a short message (~30 words) covering three given points.
Sprechen (Speaking)	~15 min, in a group	Introduce yourself, ask/answer simple questions with cue cards, make simple requests.

Passing requires at least 60 out of 100 points and completion of every exam section. Follow the provider's current rules rather than treating any section as optional.

Exam facts checked on 31 August 2026: Goethe-Institut exam format and timings and official result rules. Check the current provider information before booking.

What trips people up (and how to avoid it)

• The writing message. Read the task carefully and cover every requested point. Practise a reusable frame: greeting → requested information → closing ("Viele Grüße, …").
• Numbers under time pressure. Phone numbers, prices, and times are listening-part staples. Drill 0–100 until instant.
• Freezing in the speaking part. Practise a short introduction using topics such as your name, home and languages. Rehearse aloud, then vary the details and practise follow-up questions rather than relying only on a memorised script.

A 4-week preparation plan (1 hour/day)

1. Week 1 — Diagnose and vocabulary. Do one official practice test cold (the Goethe-Institut publishes free "Modellsätze"). Note weak areas. Review core word fields: family, food, shopping, time, directions.
2. Week 2 — Listening + reading daily. Alternate short listening and reading drills. Read every sign, ad, and menu you encounter like an exam text.
3. Week 3 — Writing + speaking daily. Write one 30-word message per day covering three points. Rehearse the self-introduction and question-asking with cue words (Wo? Wann? Was? Wie viel?).
4. Week 4 — Full simulations. Two complete timed practice tests. Fix the recurring mistakes only — don't chase perfection.

The mindset

Practise simple, understandable communication in everyday situations. Start with short sentences and work on recurring mistakes. The provider's assessment criteria, not this practice score, determine the exam result. The four-week plan is a study suggestion, not a guarantee that four weeks will be enough.

All four skills in this plan map directly to our A1 practice courses — reading, listening, writing (with AI feedback), and speaking practice included.