German A2

At A2 you can handle routine exchanges about familiar things — your family, your job, shopping, your immediate surroundings — in simple, direct terms.

What changes from A1

Texts get longer and less predictable, though still everyday.
You describe your background and immediate environment rather than just naming things.
The past tense appears properly, which is the main grammatical step.
Speaking includes a short exchange with a partner rather than only answering.

Where A2 is accepted

A2 is a step rather than a destination for most study-abroad plans. It appears in some vocational and au pair routes and occasionally as a university's expectation for an English-taught course. It is not sufficient for a German-taught degree or, in practice, for most part-time work.

If your goal is a German-taught course, treat A1 and A2 as waypoints and plan the time to C1 from the start. The jump from B2 to C1 is the long one.

A2 — FAQs

2 questions

Is A2 useful for a student visa?

Sometimes as a supporting document, but the requirement depends on your course and your visa category.

What is the main difference from A1?

Longer texts, the past tense, and real two-way exchanges in speaking.

More levels (a1–c2) question types

A1 Beginner — introductions and basics B1 Independent — the practical threshold B2 Upper intermediate — some courses accept it C1 Advanced — the usual university requirement C2 Mastery — rarely required

Sources

Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.

goethe.de/en/spr/kup/prf.html