German Sprechen: usually with a partner, not an examiner
The German speaking exam — Sprechen — is usually taken with another candidate, not alone with an examiner. That surprises people prepared for an IELTS-style interview, and it changes what to practise: you are marked partly on how you interact.
The three parts
| Part | What happens | Marked on |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | You introduce yourself, or each other | Fluency on familiar material |
| Presentation | A short prepared turn on a given topic | Structure, range, keeping going |
| Interaction | Planning or deciding something with your partner | Responding, agreeing, disagreeing, negotiating |
The interaction part is the one candidates prepare least and lose most on. A candidate who delivers a flawless monologue and then answers their partner in single words has shown half of what is being assessed.
Fluency over accuracy
German speaking exams reward keeping going. A sentence finished with a wrong case ending scores better than a sentence abandoned and restarted, and far better than silence while you work out whether it should be *dem* or *den*.
- Finish every sentence you start.
- Self-correct once at most, then move on.
- Use fillers that buy time and sound German — *also, na ja, ich würde sagen, eigentlich*.
- Ask for repetition naturally rather than freezing: *Wie bitte? Könnten Sie das wiederholen?*
Every Sprechen (Speaking) question type
German Sprechen (Speaking) — FAQs
3 questions
Usually yes — paired with another candidate, with an examiner assessing. Some exams and levels differ, so check your format.
You are assessed on your own performance. Asking them questions and giving them room is itself interaction, and it is marked.
Being understood matters. A foreign accent is expected and is not penalised.
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.