Goethe-Zertifikat C1 · Exam practice: mock tests online, feedback on writing and speaking Goethe C1: German certificate
We are building a course for the Goethe-Zertifikat C1. It will check your texts and spoken answers against the exam's own criteria and explain what to fix in your language. Join the waitlist to hear the day it opens.
Choose a part and try it yourself.
A writing task in the Goethe C1 format
Our own task in the format of Schreiben, Teil 1: a sample answer with typical errors, then an example of the feedback by the exam's own criteria.
Free to try here
Für das Online-Forum eines Wirtschaftsmagazins verfassen Sie einen Diskussionsbeitrag zum Thema:
Vier Tage arbeiten, drei Tage frei: ein Modell für alle?
- Erläutern Sie, was sich Beschäftigte von einer Vier-Tage-Woche versprechen.
- Zeigen Sie an einem Beispiel aus einer Branche, wie das Modell funktionieren kann.
- Nennen Sie Argumente, die gegen eine allgemeine Einführung sprechen.
- Schlagen Sie einen Kompromiss vor.
Schreiben Sie circa 230 Wörter.
Sample answer with typical errors, underlined
Die Vier-Tage-Woche wird derzeit so leidenschaftlich diskutiert wie kaum ein anderes Arbeitsmodell. In meinem Beitrag möchte ich zeigen, warum ich sie für sinnvoll halte, aber nicht für jede Branche.
Viele Beschäftigte erhoffen sich vor allem mehr Zeit für Familie, Erholung und Weiterbildung. Wer drei Tage am Stück frei hat, kommt am Montag ausgeruhter zurück, Error: was wiederum die Produktivität positiv beeinflusst wird. Pilotprojekte berichten zudem von weniger Krankheitstagen und höherer Zufriedenheit, was für Arbeitgeber angesichts des Fachkräftemangels ein gewichtiges Argument ist.
Ein gutes Beispiel liefert die Softwarebranche. In mehreren Unternehmen, Error: in denen das Modell getestet hat, wurden Besprechungen gekürzt und Abläufe vereinfacht. Das Ergebnis: Die Teams schafften in vier Tagen fast das gleiche Pensum wie vorher in fünf.
Allerdings lässt sich dieses Modell nicht ohne Weiteres übertragen. In der Pflege oder im Einzelhandel muss die Arbeit Error: trotz dem Personalmangel jeden Tag erledigt werden; kürzere Wochen würden dort nur zu mehr Stress oder höheren Kosten führen. Hinzu kommt, dass Error: nicht alle Beschäftigte einen zusätzlichen freien Tag längeren Arbeitstagen vorziehen. Für sie wäre ein flexibles Arbeitszeitkonto attraktiver als ein fester freier Tag.
Als Kompromiss schlage ich vor, die Vier-Tage-Woche als Option anzubieten, statt sie gesetzlich vorzuschreiben. Betriebe könnten gemeinsam mit ihren Mitarbeitenden prüfen, ob das Modell zu ihren Abläufen passt. So profitieren diejenigen, für die es funktioniert, ohne dass andere Branchen unter Druck geraten.
How it is marked
The Goethe C1 model test (the modular format offered since 2024) marks each writing task on these four criteria, each from A to E. If task completion gets an E, the whole task scores nothing.
- AufgabenerfüllungAll four points covered fully in content and length, in a register that fits a public forum.
- KohärenzIntroduction and conclusion, a logical line of argument, sentences linked flexibly.
- WortschatzA broad, precise vocabulary; slips should not slow the reader down.
- StrukturenA broad range of grammar, with correct forms, word order and spelling.
Feedback on the sample answer Example
Works: All four points come in order, with a concrete branch example and a clear compromise.
Costs points: The counter-arguments name two sectors but stay brief; at C1 one of them should be developed down to its consequence.
Works: The introduction states the position, «Allerdings» and «Hinzu kommt» mark the turn, and the conclusion returns to it.
Costs points: The example paragraph ends on a result without tying it back to the expectations in the paragraph before.
Works: A precise register: «Pensum», «Abläufe vereinfacht», «gesetzlich vorschreiben».
Costs points: «positiv beeinflusst» is generic where «sich positiv auswirken auf» would be more exact.
Works: Relative clauses, a «wer» clause, the Konjunktiv II and infinitive clauses show range.
Costs points: Active and passive are mixed twice, «trotz» takes the dative, and «alle Beschäftigte» lacks its ending: each slows the reader at C1.
Corrected sentences
Error: was wiederum die Produktivität positiv beeinflusst wirdCorrected: was sich wiederum positiv auf die Produktivität auswirktThe clause starts active and ends passive; pick one construction.
Error: in denen das Modell getestet hatCorrected: in denen das Modell getestet wurdeThe companies tested the model, not the model itself: the clause needs the passive.
Error: trotz dem PersonalmangelCorrected: trotz des PersonalmangelsIn written German «trotz» takes the genitive.
An example of the feedback the course will give, written by us. It is not an official result and does not predict one.
The four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat C1
The course will be organised by these parts of the exam.
- Lesen, 65 minutes: 4 Teile with 30 items, from a cloze text and a magazine article to opinions in science posts
- Hören, about 40 minutes: 4 Teile with 30 items, from a podcast and an expert interview to a lecture
- Schreiben, 75 minutes: a discussion post of about 230 words and a formal or semi-formal e-mail of about 120 words
- Sprechen, about 20 minutes in pairs after 20 minutes of preparation: a talk of about 5 minutes with questions, then a discussion
What the course will have
Feedback on your writing and speaking by the exam's own criteria, mock exams in the exact format and a plan to your exam date, explained in English, German or Russian.
| In the course |
|---|
| Feedback on writing and speaking, without a limitWrite the forum post and the e-mail, record your talk, and get feedback by the C1 criteria as often as you like, explained in your language. |
| Mock exams in the exact formatAll four modules with their Teile, the exam time and the line of 60 points, so you see where you stand before the real day. |
| A plan to your exam dateEnter your date and the modules you are taking, and the course spreads the practice over the weeks you have. |
The Goethe C1 course is on its way
It is not open yet. Join the waitlist and we will write to you once, on the day it opens.
€109 · 6 months of access
The course is in preparation. Reserving costs nothing now; you pay only if you decide to buy when it opens.
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Four modules, 60 points to pass each
Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen are scored separately out of 100. If you miss one module, you can retake just that one.
- Pass mark
- 60 of 100 points in each module
- Time
- About 180 minutes written, plus Sprechen: about 20 minutes in pairs
- Fee
- Set by each centre. According to the Goethe-Institut's price overview for Germany (as of 2026, please check with your exam centre): €349 for the whole exam, €114 per module
Frequently asked questions
The exam, the course to come and the price reservation. Still unsure? Write to support@vwupass.com.
Guides
When will the course open?
We are not naming a date yet. On the day the course opens, everyone on the waitlist gets one email.
What will the course include?
Feedback on your writing and speaking by the exam's own criteria, mock exams in the exact format and a plan to your exam date, explained in English, German or Russian.
How much will the course cost?
€109 for 6 months of access. You can reserve this price now in the form on this page: reserving costs nothing, asks for no payment details and commits you to nothing. When the course opens, you decide whether to buy.
What do you store when I join the waitlist?
Your email, the course, the language and the page you signed up on, and the country your IP address belongs to (never the address itself). If you reserve the price, also the reserved price, the months of access and the time of the reservation. We use this to write to you when the course opens. To unsubscribe and have your entry removed with all of it, write to support@vwupass.com.
Where can I find a Goethe C1 Modelltest?
The Goethe-Institut publishes a free Modellsatz of the new modular C1 as a PDF on goethe.de, in its 2nd edition of February 2024. The old C1 Modellsatz describes the format offered until 31 December 2023, so make sure you work with the new one.
How is the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 structured?
It has 4 modules: Lesen (65 minutes, 4 Teile), Hören (about 40 minutes, 4 Teile), Schreiben (75 minutes, 2 Teile) and Sprechen (about 20 minutes in pairs, after 20 minutes of preparation). The written modules take about 180 minutes without breaks.
How many points do I need to pass the Goethe C1?
Each module is scored out of 100 points and passed with at least 60. The grades are 90 to 100 sehr gut, 80 to 89 gut, 70 to 79 befriedigend and 60 to 69 ausreichend.
How much does the Goethe C1 exam cost?
The fee depends on the country and the exam centre, and each centre sets its own. According to the Goethe-Institut's price overview for Germany (as of 2026, please check with your exam centre), the whole exam costs €349 and one module €114, with 20 % off for its own course participants.
When are the Goethe C1 exam dates?
Each exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines, so there is no single date for everyone. Registration usually closes some weeks before the exam, so check your centre's page early.