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Goethe-Institut Goethe-Zertifikat A2, B1, B2, C1: Exam Format and Preparation

Four levels, one page each: the parts, the times, the scoring and the fees. The course with feedback on writing and speaking is in preparation.

Exams in preparation

Guides and articles

Read about these exams before you start.

Article · 5 min

Goethe B1 Schreiben (and ÖSD B1): marking, a sample answer and Redemittel

Three texts in 60 minutes: an e-mail of about 80 words, an opinion of about 80 and a short note of about 40. How the 100 points split, what scores zero, a worked example and phrases for each part.

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Article · 5 min

Goethe B1 Sprechen (and ÖSD B1): planning, presentation, questions, Redemittel and marking

About 15 minutes in a pair: planning together, a five-slide presentation, then feedback and questions. How the 100 points split, what the presentation needs, an example and phrases for each part.

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Article · 5 min

Goethe B2 Schreiben: forum post and message, Teil 1 and Teil 2, marking, example and Redemittel

A forum post of about 150 words and a message of about 100 in 75 minutes. Teil 1 alone is worth 60 of 100 points: the criteria, what scores zero, a worked example and phrases.

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Article · 8 min

How many points to pass German B1: pass marks for Goethe, ÖSD, telc, TestDaF and ÖIF

Goethe, ÖSD, telc, TestDaF and ÖIF each set the pass mark differently: per module, per written and oral part, or, at TestDaF, not at all. One table of the rules and the grade bands, and which part of your exam has to clear the bar.

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Article · 5 min

Goethe certificate validity: how long Goethe, telc, ÖSD and ÖIF B1 certificates count for visa and university

Goethe, telc, ÖSD and TestDaF certificates have no expiry date; the age limit is set by whoever asks for them. Uni Wien and WU accept C1 certificates up to three years old, TU Wien two, embassies and Austrian authorities often one.

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Article · 9 min

Goethe B2 Sprechen: Vortrag and Diskussion, sample topics, points and Redemittel

How the Goethe B2 speaking module runs: a talk with questions and a discussion, 15 minutes of preparation, points from the score sheet and the 60-of-100 pass mark. With our own example talk, debate and Redemittel.

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Article · 8 min

Writing and speaking marking criteria: Goethe, telc and ÖSD compared at B1 and B2

How Goethe, telc and ÖSD mark writing and speaking at B1 and B2: the criteria and their weights, what makes a task score zero, and how two examiners' marks are combined.

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Article · 7 min

Failed the B1 German exam? What to retake at Goethe, ÖSD, telc and ÖIF, and by when

At Goethe you retake the failed module, at ÖSD B2 and telc the written or the oral part, at ÖIF the whole exam. telc gives twelve months from the date on the result sheet for a partial retake.

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Article · 4 min

Goethe-Zertifikat B2 exam: pattern, pass marks and how to pass

Four modules, each passed with 60 of 100 points and retaken on its own. The exam pattern for Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen, how many correct answers you need and where to find the official sample paper.

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Article · 4 min

Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam: pattern, pass marks and how to pass

The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 are one exam: four modules, each passed with 60 of 100 points. Three texts in Schreiben, a five-slide talk in Sprechen, the marks and the official sample paper.

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Article · 7 min

Goethe vs ÖSD vs telc: how the German exams differ at B1, B2 and C1

At B1 Goethe and ÖSD run one exam; at B2 and C1 there are three different ones. What you can retake on its own, how the tasks differ, what they cost in Vienna and abroad, and how to choose.

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Article · 5 min

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 exam: the 2024 pattern, pass marks and how to pass

The modular Goethe C1 that replaced the old exam at the end of 2023: four modules, each passed with 60 of 100 points. Times, the 230-word forum post, the talk and discussion, retakes and what the University of Vienna accepts.

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