What do you need to know to pass the German A1 exam?
The A1 exam tests 4 skills. Here's exactly what each one covers, with real sample items so you can test yourself.
Try the first unit freeLerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (Goethe, telc, ÖSD) — it is not an official registration with any of those institutes. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
The German A1 exam in one minute
The German A1 exam is a certificate at the first level of the CEFR, the European reference scale for languages. It shows that you can understand and use very simple German for everyday situations: introducing yourself, asking and answering simple questions, filling in a form, writing a short message. Several recognized providers offer an A1 exam, among them the Goethe-Institut (Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1), telc (telc Deutsch A1) and the ÖSD (ÖSD Zertifikat A1).
This guide explains who needs the exam, what the four modules ask, the grammar to master, the mistakes to avoid and a plan to get ready. It describes the exam in general terms only. Durations, scoring, fees, dates and exam centers differ by provider and change over time, so always check the provider’s official model test and information before you register.
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Who needs the German A1 exam?
People take it for different reasons. The most common ones are:
Spouses joining family in Germany
Family reunification is the best-known case: a spouse who wants to join a partner in Germany is often asked to show simple German at A1 before arrival. Rules have exceptions and can change, so check the requirement with the German embassy or consulate that handles your case.
Learners who want a first official proof
A1 is the first milestone. A certificate from a recognized provider is proof that you reached it, for a file, a CV or a personal goal.
Future students and workers
Many people start with A1 on the way to A2 and B1, the levels that later open training and work in Germany. A1 is the first step, not the end.
Beginners who need a clear target
A fixed exam format and a date can keep a daily study habit going.
The four modules
Providers organize the A1 exam into the same four skills. The order, the number of tasks and the scoring differ, so read the model test of your provider.
Reading (Lesen)
You read very short texts such as signs, notices, short messages, emails and ads, and show that you understood the key information.
Listening (Hören)
You hear short, slow recordings such as announcements, phone messages and simple conversations, and answer questions about names, numbers, times and places.
Writing (Schreiben)
You complete a simple form and write a short message, for example to a friend or a school, using a few simple sentences.
Speaking (Sprechen)
You introduce yourself, answer simple personal questions, ask a few questions and make a simple request. Many providers also use cards with a word or a picture to prompt your questions.
Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (Goethe, telc, ÖSD) — it is not an official registration with any of those institutes. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
What to master for A1
A1 German is small but it must be accurate. These are the points that come up most.
- Verbs in position two
- The conjugated verb comes second: “Ich heiße Karim.” “Ich wohne in Rabat.” “Wir lernen Deutsch.”
- Sein and haben
- “Ich bin Studentin.” “Er hat zwei Brüder.” They are the most used verbs at this level.
- Questions
- W-questions and yes-or-no questions: “Wie heißt du?” “Woher kommst du?” “Hast du Kinder?”
- Articles and plural
- Der, die, das and ein, eine: “Das ist ein Buch.” Learn each noun with its article, and its plural when you can.
- Negation
- Nicht and kein: “Ich komme nicht aus Spanien.” “Ich habe keine Katze.”
- Modal verbs
- Können and möchten: “Ich möchte einen Kaffee.” “Kannst du mir helfen?”
- Separable verbs
- “Ich stehe um sieben Uhr auf.” The prefix goes to the end of the sentence.
- Everyday vocabulary
- Family, numbers, time, dates, food, shopping, transport, the city and the daily routine.
Mistakes to avoid on the A1 exam
- Putting the verb in the wrong place: “Ich Deutsch lerne” instead of “Ich lerne Deutsch”.
- Learning nouns without their article, so that der, die and das become a guess.
- Leaving a task unfinished in the writing module: a message that misses one of the requested points loses marks.
- Answering with one word when the examiner expects a full simple sentence.
- Panicking when you miss a word in the listening module, instead of using the second time you hear it.
- Registering before checking the provider, the date, the fee and the documents to bring.
How to prepare
A simple order for the weeks before the exam:
- 1
Finish the A1 lessons
Cover the grammar and vocabulary above with short daily sessions rather than one long weekly one.
- 2
Practise each skill
Listen to short recordings, read signs and messages, write a few lines every day and say your answers aloud.
- 3
Speak with Nour
Practise introducing yourself and answering personal questions, then listen back to yourself.
- 4
Take a mock exam
Sit a timed mock in the style of the official exams, review your mistakes and repeat. Lerniyo’s mock exam is built in that style but is not an official registration.
- 5
Register for the official exam
Choose a provider, read its model test, book early and leave time before any deadline.
Exam format
- 100 points total, you need 60 to pass
- 3 attempts — fail all three and you'll need to wait 7 days before retrying
- Pass, and you get a PDF completion certificate from Lerniyo, ready to share on WhatsApp
Listening (Hören)
You listen to a short recording and answer questions about it.
You hear: "Ich heiße Karim und wohne in Casablanca." — Question: Wo wohnt Karim?
Answer: In Casablanca.
Reading (Lesen)
You read a short text (an ad, a message, a sign) and show you understood it.
You read: "Der Supermarkt ist von 8 bis 20 Uhr geöffnet." — Question: Wann schließt der Supermarkt?
Answer: Um 20 Uhr.
Writing (Schreiben)
You write a short message or fill in a simple form.
Write: introduce yourself in 3 sentences (your name, where you're from, what you do).
Example: Ich heiße Sara. Ich komme aus Marokko. Ich bin Studentin.
Speaking (Sprechen)
You answer simple questions about yourself, or have a short conversation with Nour.
Question: Wie heißt du und woher kommst du?
Example: Ich heiße Youssef und ich komme aus Rabat.
How to prepare for the A1 exam
- 1
Complete all A1 lessons (12 modules, around 100 lessons)
- 2
Take the mock exams — the first one is free, no pressure
- 3
Focus on the points you get wrong most often (Nour will flag them for you)
- 4
Once you feel ready, take Lerniyo's official A1 exam
German A1 exam: frequently asked questions
What is the German A1 exam?
A certificate at the first CEFR level, offered by recognized providers such as the Goethe-Institut, telc and the ÖSD. It tests reading, listening, writing and speaking at a very simple level.
Is the A1 exam required for family reunification?
It is the best-known case: a spouse joining a partner in Germany is often asked for A1 German before arrival. There are exceptions and the rules can change, so confirm with the embassy or consulate that handles your case.
Which provider should I choose?
The law names the CEFR level, not a provider, so any recognized provider’s A1 certificate can count. Check which ones the authority that asks for it accepts. Our Goethe, telc or ÖSD guide compares them.
How long does it take to prepare?
About 6 to 8 weeks from zero at a steady 15 to 20 minutes a day, based on Lerniyo’s estimates. It depends on your starting point and how regularly you study.
Does Lerniyo issue the official A1 certificate?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with lessons and a mock exam in the style of the official exams, but the official certificate comes from the provider you register with.
Is the exam hard?
It is built for beginners, so it asks for simple, familiar German. Most people who study regularly and practise all four skills, especially speaking, feel ready.