Goethe-Zertifikat A1
Everything you need to prepare for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 — who needs the certificate, the exact exam format, a 4-week study plan, and the grammar and vocabulary to prioritise.
New to German? Start with our A1 level overview and the German exams hub.
What is Goethe A1?
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1 is an internationally recognised German language certificate offered by the Goethe-Institut. It confirms that you can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases — introducing yourself, asking and answering simple questions about personal details, and interacting in a simple way when the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
The A1 certificate corresponds to the lowest level on the CEFR scale, making it the starting point for anyone beginning their German language journey.
Official information: www.goethe.de
Who needs Goethe A1?
- Spouse or family reunion visa: Goethe A1 is required by German embassies for spouses of German residents applying for a family reunion visa (Familienzusammenführung) — particularly from non-EU countries. This is the most common reason people take this exam.
- Basic proof of German: Some employers or integration programmes request A1 as an entry-level language confirmation.
- Personal milestone: Many learners take A1 as a structured first goal to confirm their beginner-level progress.
Always verify the exact certificate requirement with the relevant German embassy or authority before booking, as requirements can vary by country and individual circumstance.
Exam format
| Part | Details |
|---|---|
| Hören (Listening) | 20 minutes · 4 parts · 20 questions |
| Lesen (Reading) | 25 minutes · 3 parts · 20 questions |
| Schreiben (Writing) | 20 minutes · 2 parts — form filling and short message |
| Sprechen (Speaking) | 15 minutes · 3 parts — taken in pairs or groups |
| Total duration | Approximately 75 minutes written + 15 minutes speaking |
| Passing score | 60% overall, with minimum requirements per section |
| Certificate validity | Does not expire |
| Typical cost | €120–€160 depending on country and test centre |
Speaking note: The Sprechen section is usually taken in pairs. You will introduce yourself, ask and answer questions about everyday topics, and request items using simple phrases.
4-week study plan
Aim for 1 hour per day on weekdays and a longer session at weekends. This plan assumes you are starting from zero or very early beginner level.
Week 1 — Core vocabulary and alphabet
- Learn the German alphabet and pronunciation rules — umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and ß.
- Learn numbers 1–100, days of the week, months, and colours.
- Start with A1 vocabulary: greetings, family, countries, and occupations.
- Practise introducing yourself: name, age, nationality, occupation.
Week 2 — Essential grammar
- Learn the definite and indefinite articles: der, die, das, ein, eine.
- Study basic sentence structure: subject + verb + object.
- Learn the present tense of regular verbs: sein, haben, machen, kommen, wohnen.
- Practise simple questions: Wie heißen Sie? Woher kommen Sie? Wo wohnen Sie?
Week 3 — Reading and writing practice
- Read short texts: postcards, forms, notices, and simple messages.
- Practise filling in forms with personal information — name, address, date of birth.
- Write a short message (3–5 sentences) about yourself or a simple topic.
- Review A1 vocabulary themes: food, shopping, time, and daily routines.
Week 4 — Speaking and full mock practice
- Practise the three Sprechen tasks: self-introduction, asking and answering everyday questions, requesting simple items.
- Complete one full mock exam under timed conditions.
- Review every mistake — focus on articles and verb conjugation errors.
- Confirm your test centre, address, and arrival time before exam day.
Reinforce with practice exercises and A1 resources.
Key A1 grammar
Master these topics before exam day — they appear across all four exam sections.
- German articles — der, die, das — knowing the gender of common nouns is essential at A1
- Present tense verbs — sein, haben, and regular verb conjugation
- Personal pronouns — ich, du, er, sie, es, wir, ihr, Sie
- Basic sentence structure — word order in statements and questions
- Numbers and time expressions — telling the time, dates, ages
Broader map: A1 grammar hub.
Key vocabulary themes
- Greetings and introductions — Hallo, Guten Morgen, Wie geht es Ihnen, Ich heiße
- Family and relationships — Mutter, Vater, Bruder, Schwester, verheiratet, ledig
- Countries and nationalities — Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz, Ich komme aus
- Occupations — Lehrer, Arzt, Student, Ich bin... von Beruf
- Numbers, time, and dates — essential for the Hören and Lesen sections
- Food and drink — basic café and restaurant vocabulary for everyday situations
Level pack: A1 vocabulary.
Practice with a teacher
Speaking and listening improve fastest with real interaction. The Sprechen section requires you to respond naturally in a live conversation — something that is difficult to practise alone. A few focused lessons with a German tutor before your exam gives you the confidence to handle all three speaking tasks.