German A1 Exam Practice — Free Mock Tests for Goethe & telc
Practise for the German A1 exam with tasks in the real format. Goethe-Zertifikat A1 and telc Deutsch A1 are the same exam — prepare once for either, with instant feedback.
Start practising free →Goethe A1 and telc A1 are the same exam
A1 is the first official German level (CEFR A1). It is offered under two names — the Goethe-Institut calls it Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, and telc calls it telc Deutsch A1. Both certify exactly the same level, follow the same "Start Deutsch 1" format, and are equally accepted for a spouse/family-reunification visa (Ehegattennachzug) and other purposes.
That means you do not have to choose a brand before you start practising: the tasks, the passing mark (60%), and the four parts are identical. Pick whichever exam is offered near you — Goethe worldwide at its institutes, telc mostly at German language schools and Volkshochschulen — and use the same preparation either way.
What's on the A1 exam — and how to practise each part
Hören (Listening)
Short everyday recordings — announcements, phone messages, conversations — with picture or true/false answers. Each is played twice.
Tip: Practise with the answer sheet in front of you: at A1 the questions come in order, so read the next question before the audio starts and listen for that one detail (a time, a price, a place).
Lesen (Reading)
Short texts — notices, small ads, emails, signs — where you match information or decide true/false.
Tip: Do not read every word. Scan for the number, name, or place the question asks about. A1 texts are meant to be skimmed, not translated line by line.
Schreiben (Writing)
Fill in a short form with your details, then write a short message (about 30 words) covering three given points.
Tip: Cover all three points — that is what is marked. A short, correct message that answers every point scores higher than a longer one that misses one.
Sprechen (Speaking)
A paired oral exam: introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions from cards, and make/respond to a small request.
Tip: Rehearse your introduction out loud until it is automatic (name, country, languages, job, hobby). It is the one part you can fully prepare in advance.
How to prepare for the A1 exam
- 1
Learn the format first
Do one full practice task for each of the four parts so nothing on exam day is a surprise. Knowing the instructions in advance saves time you can spend on the answers.
- 2
Build the core A1 vocabulary
A1 tests everyday words — numbers, times, family, shopping, directions. Our free German vocabulary PDF (500 everyday words) covers the ground the exam draws from.
- 3
Practise with instant feedback
Answer real-format questions and check immediately which were right or wrong. Repeating a task until you get it right beats reading grammar rules for A1.
German A1 exam practice — FAQ
Yes. Both certify CEFR level A1 and use the same Start Deutsch 1 format with four parts (Hören, Lesen, Schreiben, Sprechen) and a 60% passing mark. They differ only in the issuing organisation and where the exam is offered, not in difficulty or content — so you can prepare once for either.
Yes — you can work through real-format A1 tasks and see instantly which answers are right or wrong. A free account unlocks the explanation behind each answer and a full library of practice tests.
You need 60% overall. The exam has a written part (Hören, Lesen, Schreiben) and an oral part (Sprechen); both count toward the total. If you fall short you can usually retake the exam.
Family-reunification (Ehegattennachzug) to Germany generally requires A1 before you arrive — this exam is exactly that level. Some pathways (e.g. professional recognition for nurses) need higher levels later, but A1 is the standard entry requirement for the spouse visa.
With no prior German, most learners need a few months of regular study to reach A1. Practising in the real exam format and drilling core everyday vocabulary is the fastest route once you know the basics.
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