German exam pattern: four modules, at every level
Every Goethe-Zertifikat from A1 to C2 is built the same way: four modules — Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing) and Sprechen (speaking) — taken and certified separately. TestDaF uses the same four skills but reports them differently, and it is the one German universities usually ask for.
The four modules
| Module | What it asks | What it rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Lesen | Notices, adverts, emails and articles, getting longer with each level | Reading for gist first, detail second |
| Hören | Announcements, conversations, interviews, played once or twice by level | Following natural speed, not textbook speed |
| Schreiben | A message, letter or argued text depending on level | Doing every task the prompt lists, in the right register |
| Sprechen | Introduction, a planned turn, and an interaction with a partner or examiner | Fluency and keeping going, over perfect grammar |
Because the modules are separate, you can pass three and fail one, then re-sit only the one you failed. That is unusual and it is the single most useful thing to know about these exams.
How the levels differ
- A1 — Start Deutsch 1. Introduce yourself, fill in a form, understand a slowly spoken address.
- A2. Routine situations — a short message, a simple set of instructions.
- B1. Handle most situations that come up while living there; describe experiences; give reasons. This is the level at which German becomes usable.
- B2. Follow a lecture, argue a position, read specialised articles in your own field. The working level for study and most jobs.
- C1. Rapid speech with implied meaning; complex structured writing; flexible, near-automatic use.
- C2. The level of an educated native user. Goethe recommends it from age 18.
The Goethe-Institut recommends its exams from age 16, and C2 from 18.
TestDaF, which is the university one
- It covers B2 to C1 in one exam rather than certifying a single level.
- It is reported in TDN levels — TDN 3, 4 and 5 — for each of the four parts.
- The certificate is valid indefinitely and recognised by all universities in Germany.
- It runs at over 500 test centres in 100 countries, on dates roughly monthly.
Digital TestDaF now offers a combined certificate: the best result for each individual exam part across several digital sittings within a maximum six-month window, on one document. That is effectively a superscore, and it is new enough that most preparation material does not mention it.
Goethe-Test PRO and TestAS
- Goethe-Test PRO — an adaptive test of listening and reading for the workplace, reporting A1 to C2. Useful for employers, not usually for admission.
- TestAS — a test of academic aptitude rather than language, which some German programmes ask for alongside a language certificate. Do not confuse it with the dMAT, which since 2026 is part of the APS for many master's applicants.
German exam pattern — FAQs
4 questions
Four modules at every level — Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen — taken and certified separately, so each can be passed or retaken on its own.
A Goethe-Zertifikat certifies one CEFR level. TestDaF covers B2 to C1 in a single exam and reports TDN levels per part, and it is the certificate German universities most often ask for.
Yes. The modules are independent, so you re-sit only the one you failed.
Yes. The TestDaF certificate has no expiry and is recognised by all universities in Germany.
Sources
Checked on 25 September 2026 against the official pages below. Fees and formats change — the official page is always the final word.
Practice materials are Vibedu-original and modelled on official exam formats — not actual official test content. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE, GMAT and other exam names are trademarks of their respective owners; Vibedu is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.