Pocket German
German exam guides
Goethe and telc exams, the integration course test (DTZ) and the citizenship test: which one you need and how to prepare.
ExamsB1 B1 reading: you don't have to read every word — skimming, scanning and managing your timeGoethe B1 reading (Lesen) is 65 minutes, five parts and 30 questions. A different reading strategy for each part, choosing '0' when matching ads, richtig/falsch traps and the time for filling in the answer sheet, based on the official material. Plus a comparison with DTZ reading.
ExamsB1 Goethe B1 speaking: planning together, giving a presentation and asking questionsThe Goethe B1 speaking exam (Sprechen) is usually taken in pairs. Planning something together, a presentation with five slides, and giving feedback and asking questions — the format of the three tasks, how to use your preparation time, ready-to-use German sentences, common mistakes and a one-week practice plan.
ExamsB1 telc Deutsch B1 speaking test: how to prepare for all three parts, step by stepThe telc Deutsch B1 speaking test is taken in pairs. How to use the 20 minutes of preparation time, German sentences you can use right away in the three parts (getting to know each other, talking about a topic, planning together), common mistakes and a one-week practice plan.
ExamsB1 310 questions, don't panic — smart ways to learn the Leben in Deutschland and citizenship test questionsThe LiD test and the citizenship test take 33 questions from a public bank of 310. How to use BAMF's free online practice centre, learning by topic, the German words that come up most, common mistakes and a three-week study plan.
ExamsA2–B1 DTZ speaking test: how to prepare, from introducing yourself to planning togetherIn the DTZ, the final test of the integration course, speaking matters most. The three parts of the 15-minute pair exam, German sentences you can use right away, common mistakes, a one-week practice plan and free practice material.
ExamsB1 Goethe B1 writing: how to write three texts in 60 minutesAn e-mail to a friend, an opinion post and a polite e-mail to a teacher. The format and timing of the three Goethe B1 Schreiben tasks, ready-to-use German sentences, common mistakes and a one-week practice plan.
ExamsB1 The Einbürgerungstest and "Leben in DeutschlandOne question catalogue, two tests – who needs the Einbürgerungstest and who the "Leben in Deutschland" test, how many questions you must get right, and how to practise for free on bamf.de.
ExamsA2–B1 DTZ: the German test at the end of the integration courseThe Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) ends the language part of the Integrationskurs. One test, result A2 or B1. Here are the four parts and what B1 is needed for.
ExamsA1–C2 telc Deutsch exams: levels, parts and how to registertelc offers German exams from A1 to C2, plus job-related versions such as Pflege and Beruf. Here is how the exams are built, how they differ from Goethe, and what the certificates are used for.
ExamsA1–C2 The Goethe-Zertifikat (A1–C2)The Goethe-Institut's German exams from Start Deutsch 1 (A1) to C2 — parts, timing, which levels are modular, which level you need for a visa, naturalisation or university, and how to register and prepare.