How to Pass the Goethe A1 Exam in 2026

What Is the Goethe A1 Exam?

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is the entry-level German language certificate from the Goethe-Institut. It shows you can introduce yourself, go shopping, make appointments, and understand short written notices in German.

People take this exam for different reasons. Some need it for a spouse visa. Others want proof of basic German for a residence permit. And some just want a clear first goal to work toward. The Goethe-Institut runs test centers in over 90 countries, and you can sign up without taking a course first.

Exam Structure at a Glance

The Goethe A1 exam has four sections. Each is worth 25 points. You need 60 out of 100 to pass, but there's a catch: you also need at least 60% (15 out of 25) in each section individually.

Score 90 out of 100 but get 14 in Speaking? You fail the entire exam. This trips up a lot of first-time candidates.

Reading Section (Lesen), 25 Minutes

The reading section has three parts:

Teil 1: Match Texts to Situations

You read six short texts (signs, labels, SMS messages) and match each one to the right situation. These are real texts you'd see in Germany: door signs, train notices, store labels.

What helps: Learn common German signs before exam day. Ausgang (Exit), Eingang (Entrance), Rauchen verboten (No Smoking), Kasse (Checkout), Geschlossen (Closed).

Teil 2: True or False

Read a short text (an email, notice, or classified ad) and mark five statements as richtig (true) or falsch (false).

What helps: Read the statements first. Then scan the text for the specific information each statement asks about. Don't read the whole text start to finish.

Teil 3: Multiple Choice

Read two or three short texts. Answer multiple-choice questions about them.

What helps: The answer is stated directly in the text. If you're guessing, you've missed something. Go back and read more carefully.

For full practice with reading tasks in exam format, try our reading practice examples.

Listening Section (Hören), 20 Minutes

Three parts. Every audio clip plays twice.

Teil 1: Short Dialogues

Listen to short conversations. Answer true/false questions about what you heard.

Teil 2: Public Announcements

Listen to announcements (train station, supermarket, airport) and answer multiple-choice questions.

Teil 3: Personal Messages

Listen to voicemails or phone messages. Match information to the correct question.

What helps: Read every question before the audio starts. First listen: get the general picture. Second listen: confirm each answer. Train your ear for numbers, days, and times. Nearly every listening task includes at least one of these.

Practice with realistic audio at our listening practice examples.

Writing Section (Schreiben), 20 Minutes

You write one short message of 30 to 50 words. It could be an email, SMS, or note. The task gives you three bullet points that you must address in your response.

The A1 Writing Formula

Use this structure for every writing task:

1. Greeting: Liebe Anna, (informal) or Sehr geehrter Herr Müller, (formal)
2. Reason for writing: One sentence saying why you're writing
3. Answer each bullet point: One sentence per point, in order
4. Closing line: Viele Grüße (informal) or Mit freundlichen Grüßen (formal)
5. Your name

This formula works for every A1 writing prompt. Memorize it.

Mistakes That Cost Points

• Missing a bullet point. This is the number one reason people lose writing points. Before you submit, count the bullet points in the task and check that your answer covers each one.
• No greeting or sign-off. Starting with the message body or ending without Viele Grüße costs points every time.
• Mixing du and Sie. If the task says "write to your friend," use du throughout. If it says "write to Herr Müller," use Sie throughout. Never mix them.
• Overcomplicating sentences. Write like a beginner. Ich habe am Montag Zeit. scores higher than a broken attempt at a subordinate clause.

See worked examples with correct format at our writing practice examples.

Speaking Section (Sprechen), 15 Minutes

Three parts. You usually do this section with another candidate as your conversation partner.

Teil 1: Introduce Yourself (about 2 min)

State your name, age, country, city, job or studies, and languages you speak. You know this is coming, so prepare and rehearse it until it sounds natural and not memorized.

Teil 2: Ask and Answer Questions (about 3 min)

The examiner gives you word cards with topics like Hobby, Familie, or Beruf. You form questions from these words and ask your partner. Your partner does the same for you.

What helps: Memorize five question starters: Was ist Ihr...?, Wo wohnen Sie?, Haben Sie...?, Was machen Sie...?, Wie heißt...?

Teil 3: Make Requests (about 3 min)

You get situation cards showing everyday tasks (buying a train ticket, ordering at a café, asking for directions). Act out a short conversation with your partner.

What helps: Three polite phrases cover most situations. Ich möchte bitte... (I'd like...), Können Sie mir helfen? (Can you help me?), and Was kostet...? (How much is...?)

Practice speaking scenarios at our speaking practice examples.

4-Week Study Plan

Week 1: Learn the Format

• Read this guide fully (you're doing that now)
• Study core A1 vocabulary: numbers 1-100, days, months, colors, family words, food items
• Read German signs and short public texts for 15 minutes daily

Week 2: Reading and Listening

• Complete 2 to 3 full reading practice tests
• Listen to German audio for 20 minutes daily (Deutsche Welle's "Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten" is free and A1-appropriate)
• Focus on catching numbers, times, and place names in spoken German

Week 3: Writing and Speaking

• Write one practice message per day using the formula above
• Time yourself: 20 minutes maximum per message, just like the real exam
• Rehearse your self-introduction until it takes exactly 2 minutes
• Practice forming questions from random topic words

Week 4: Full Mock Exams

• Take at least 2 complete practice exams under real time conditions
• After each mock exam, review every wrong answer and understand the mistake
• Spend extra time on your weakest section

Registration and Fees

The Goethe-Institut's 2025 annual report shows over 135,000 candidates took A1-level exams that year. A1 is their most-taken exam level by a wide margin.

Goethe vs. telc vs. ÖSD: Which A1 Exam to Take?

All three are officially recognized by German authorities. Here are the practical differences:

Bottom line: Take the Goethe A1 unless your embassy, employer, or visa office asks for telc or ÖSD. The Goethe certificate has the widest international recognition. For a detailed comparison of costs, formats, and embassy acceptance, see our full Goethe vs telc vs ÖSD guide.

Final Tips

1. Don't skip any section. A partial writing attempt scores more than a blank page. Write something, even if you're not confident.
2. Time yourself during practice. The time pressure catches people off guard. If your first timed mock exam feels rushed, that's normal. Your second one will go better.
3. Simple beats complex. At A1, Ich habe am Montag Zeit (short, correct) scores higher than a broken complex sentence. Write and speak like a beginner. That's what A1 is for.
4. Practice with exam-format questions. General German study helps, but nothing replaces practicing with questions that match the real exam. Try DeutschPass for free practice across all four sections.

Viel Erfolg!