1.1 The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Format, Exam Parts, and Scoring

1.1 The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Format, Exam Parts, and Scoring

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is the Goethe-Institut's German exam for adults at level A1, the first of the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Passing it shows that you can communicate in a very simple way. You can introduce yourself and answer basic questions about yourself. You can understand short everyday conversations, announcements, notices and small ads. You can fill in a simple form and write a short personal message. Start Deutsch 1 was developed jointly by the Goethe-Institut and telc GmbH, which is why telc also offers a Start Deutsch 1 exam. This guide follows the Goethe-Institut version. Its current rules are set out in the Durchführungsbestimmungen (terms and conditions for exam administration) dated 1 September 2025.

Knowing how the exam is built and how points are converted shows you where marks come from and which mistakes cost the most.

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Who the Exam Is For: Start Deutsch 1 vs. Fit in Deutsch 1

The Goethe-Institut runs two different A1 exams:

The ages are recommendations, not entry rules. The Goethe-Institut exam rules (Prüfungsordnung) let anyone take an exam, whatever their age or nationality and whether or not they attended a Goethe-Institut course. You do not need a lower-level certificate first. If you choose an exam far outside the recommended age, you cannot later appeal the result on the grounds that the topics did not suit your age.

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The Exam at a Glance

Start Deutsch 1 has two compulsory components: a written exam taken in a group and an oral exam taken in a group.

The written exam lasts 65 minutes in total with no break. The recommended order is Hören first, then Lesen and Schreiben, but a centre may change the order for organisational reasons.

• Hören is played from an audio file. You mark answers in the booklet first and transfer them to the answer sheet (Antwortbogen) at the end; about five minutes of the exam time are reserved for that.
• Lesen and Schreiben follow as one block of about 45 minutes, and you may do them in either order. You must keep about five minutes of that block for transferring answers, because only the answer sheet is marked.
• Dictionaries and other aids are not allowed.

The Sprechen part is held with up to four candidates and two examiners and lasts about 15 minutes, roughly five minutes for each of its three parts. There is no preparation time. The written exam normally comes first. If the written and oral exams are on different days, the missing component must be completed within 14 days.

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What Each Part Contains

• Hören Teil 1: six short everyday conversations; for each one you choose a, b or c, with picture support. Every text is played twice.
• Hören Teil 2: four public announcements (for example at a station, an airport, a supermarket, on a bus or train); Richtig/Falsch. Every text is played only once.
• Hören Teil 3: five telephone or answering-machine messages; a, b or c. Played twice.
• Lesen Teil 1: two short notes or e-mails with five Richtig/Falsch statements.
• Lesen Teil 2: five situations; for each you decide which of two small ads or web pages (a or b) has the information.
• Lesen Teil 3: five short signs or notices; Richtig/Falsch.
• Schreiben Teil 1: fill five gaps in a form using a short situation text (1 point each).
• Schreiben Teil 2: a short message of about 30 words on three content points (10 points).
• Sprechen Teil 1: introduce yourself with keywords, then spell something and say a number (3 points).
• Sprechen Teil 2: ask and answer questions on two everyday topics with word cards (6 points).
• Sprechen Teil 3: make requests from picture cards and react to requests (6 points).

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How the Score Is Calculated

Each part gives 15 raw points. In Hören and Lesen, every correct item earns 1 point. Schreiben gives 5 points for the form and 10 for the message; Sprechen gives 3, 6 and 6 points for its three parts. Two graders mark the writing and two examiners mark the speaking. Where their scores differ, they are averaged and rounded (up to 0.49 down, 0.5 and above up).

The official rule then multiplies the points of each part by 1.66, adds them up, and rounds the total to a whole number. Fifteen raw points therefore become 24.9 points. A perfect 60 raw points gives 99.6, which rounds to 100. The written exam is worth up to 75 points and the oral exam up to 25.

In practice you therefore need 36 of the 60 raw points.

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Passing Rules

1. You pass with at least 60 of 100 points, and every part must be completed. Missing a part means the exam is not passed.
2. There is no separate minimum for individual parts. Strong Hören and Lesen results can make up for weaker Schreiben or Sprechen, and the reverse is also true.
3. There is a practical written threshold. A candidate with fewer than 35 points in the written exam (Hören + Lesen + Schreiben) is not admitted to the oral exam, because even a perfect Sprechen score of 25 could no longer bring the total to 60.
4. Start Deutsch 1 is not modular. Unlike Goethe B1 to C2, you cannot pass or repeat single modules. A failed exam is repeated as a whole, as often as you like. The exam centre may set a waiting period before the next date.

Worked example: Hören 12, Lesen 13, Schreiben 6 and Sprechen 6 raw points make 37 raw points. 37 × 1.66 = 61.42, rounded to 61 points: passed. The written part alone is 31 × 1.66 = 51.46 points, so this candidate was admitted to Sprechen.

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Grades on the Certificate

The overall score is calculated even when a candidate fails. On request, the centre issues a certificate of participation that shows the points. For a visa, any passing grade proves level A1, so the grade mainly helps you plan your next step towards A2.

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Paper and Digital Exams

Some Goethe-Instituts offer Start Deutsch 1 on a laptop at the exam centre. The content is the same as the paper exam. You type on a German keyboard and enter answers directly, so there is no transfer to an answer sheet. Hören and Lesen are scored automatically, and Sprechen still uses task cards on paper. Check which format your centre offers when you book.