Getting ready for a German A1 or A2 exam — Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1), Goethe A2, telc A1/A2, or ÖSD A1/A2? These beginner exams test everyday communication across four skills, and with a focused plan they are very passable. This guide covers exam formats, common topics, writing and speaking templates, a study plan, and time-management guidance for both A1 and A2 — plus links to each provider’s official practice materials. Everything here is original DeuTale study guidance, not official exam content.
Jump to: A1 vs A2 · choose a provider · exam breakdown · how to prepare · study plan · time management · checklist.
A1 and A2 at a glance
- A1 (absolute beginner): introduce yourself and your family, give basic personal information, talk about daily routines, ask and answer simple questions, understand short texts and slow speech, and fill in forms or write a short message.
- A2 (basic user): do all of the above in more detail — talk about past events (Perfekt), express simple opinions, handle everyday social situations, understand short emails and ads, and write simple paragraphs.
Which level? Choose A1 if you’re starting out or need it for a specific requirement (some spouse-visa applications accept A1); choose A2 once you can handle basic A1 communication comfortably. Requirements depend on your country and purpose — confirm which level and provider you actually need before you book.
Common A1 topics: personal details (Name, Alter, Beruf), family, food, daily activities, time and dates, directions, shopping, hobbies, work basics. Common A2 topics: holidays, health, work and school, free time, appointments, weather, housing, travel, small problems and solutions.
Choose your exam provider
All providers certify the same CEFR level, but their papers, task formats, timings, and rules differ — prepare with the model test of the provider you’ll actually sit.
- Goethe-Institut — Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1) and A2, with official practice material for each skill. Goethe separates the adult Start Deutsch 1 from the younger-learner Fit in Deutsch materials — use the adult set unless you’re a teen candidate.
- telc — telc Deutsch A1 / A2, with its own task layouts and model tests.
- ÖSD — ÖSD Zertifikat A1 / A2, with separately certifiable modules and its own format.
Not sure which to take? See DeuTale’s German exams overview.
Exam breakdown: how Goethe, telc, and ÖSD test you
Every A1/A2 exam tests the same four skills. Here’s what each involves.
1. Reading (Lesen)
You must understand short advertisements, emails, messages, forms, website texts, and simple dialogues. Tip: practise skim-reading for key information (times, prices, names) — you don’t need deep interpretation, just basic understanding.
2. Listening (Hören)
You will hear simple conversations, announcements, phone messages, service situations, and everyday dialogue in slow, clear German. Tip: train with slow German (DW’s Deutsch lernen, A1/A2 videos) and listen for keywords — numbers, times, places, names.
3. Writing (Schreiben)
A1 writing tasks: fill out a form · write a short message (email/SMS) · ask simple questions. A2 writing tasks: write a longer email (formal or informal) · describe plans or experiences · give reasons (weil …) · complain politely or ask for help.
A2 email structure: greeting → purpose of the email → information/details → request or question → closing phrase & signature. For worked examples, see Goethe A1 writing examples.
4. Speaking (Sprechen)
A1 speaking tasks: introduce yourself · ask simple questions · describe simple objects · role-play a basic situation.
A1 introduction template: Hallo, ich heiße … Ich komme aus … Ich wohne in … Ich spreche … Ich arbeite als … Meine Hobbys sind …
A2 speaking tasks: describe pictures or situations · talk about past events · plan something together (telc) · express simple opinions.
A2 opinion phrases: Ich finde das gut, weil … · Meiner Meinung nach ist …
Modules, task types, and exact timing differ by provider and level. For the complete module-by-module reference — every task type and how A1 differs from A2 — see the detailed A1/A2 exam structure guide, and confirm the current format in your provider’s official model test.
How to prepare effectively
1. Learn high-frequency vocabulary. The ~800–1,200 words used most at A1–A2: family, food, jobs, travel, routines, hobbies, times & dates, and everyday verbs (essen, gehen, wohnen, kaufen). Build them with the 500 essential A1 words and the Goethe A2 word list.
2. Master key grammar.
- A1: personal pronouns · verb conjugation · verb-in-position-2 · accusative case · basic prepositions.
- A2: Perfekt tense · dative case · separable verbs · weil / denn clauses · basic adjective endings.
3. Learn writing templates.
A1 message: Hallo …, ich komme am … Ich habe eine Frage … Danke! Viele Grüße, [Name] A2 email: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, (formal) / Liebe …, (informal) → Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil … Ich möchte … / Ich habe ein Problem … Haben Sie vielleicht Zeit / eine Antwort? Mit freundlichen Grüßen, [Name]
4. Practise speaking every day. Record yourself answering A1/A2 questions, do mock speaking tasks, describe pictures, and memorise your core phrases. Ask full questions, not single words.
5. Train with sample exams. The best practice is official model tests — Goethe model tests, telc mock exams, ÖSD sample papers — plus course books (Menschen, Schritte International, Netzwerk). Test yourself with DeuTale’s A1/A2 mock exams.
Common mistakes (and fixes)
- Word-order errors → keep the verb in position 2 in main sentences.
- Forgetting case endings → learn the article tables early.
- Sentences too complex → A1/A2 reward short, clear sentences.
- Not asking enough in speaking → the exam expects interactive communication.
- Limited vocabulary → learn topic-based word lists.
Study plan — flexible by time available
| Time you have | Focus |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | Wk 1: core grammar + daily vocab + slow listening + short messages · Wk 2: A2 grammar (Perfekt, weil), speaking drills, short reading · Wk 3: first full sample exam + writing templates · Wk 4: two timed mocks + review weak skills |
| 2 weeks | Alternate a skill focus each day; one full mock at the end of each week |
| Final 7 days | One timed mock, review recurring errors, drill your weakest skill, lock in templates |
| Final day | Light review only — re-read your templates and rest. Don’t cram new grammar |
Time management
Beginners lose marks to the clock, not just to grammar. Split this into two habits — during study and during the exam.
During study: run timed mock practice so the real timing feels normal, and keep sessions short and skill-focused.
During the exam:
- Listening: read the question before the audio starts; if you miss one, move on — don’t lose the next answer chasing the last.
- Reading: don’t translate everything. Scan for the answer, do the easy items first, and leave ~2 minutes to check.
- Writing: spend the first 3–5 minutes planning the required points, write short correct sentences, and leave 3–5 minutes to check names, dates, and word order.
- Speaking: have your introduction ready; if you’re stuck, buy a moment with „Einen Moment, bitte.”
Note on timings: exact minutes per module differ by provider and level — check the official model test for your exam. The guidance above is general strategy, not a universal exam schedule.
Final-week checklist
- Confirm your provider, level, date and test centre
- Work through the current official model test
- Prepare ID and any required documents
- Do one timed full practice
- Review your recurring mistakes (not new material)
Official practice materials
Use each provider’s own current materials for format and audio: the official Goethe A1 practice page (and its A2 equivalent), telc’s model tests, and ÖSD’s sample papers. DeuTale’s guidance here is independent and not affiliated with any provider.
Next steps with DeuTale
- Module-by-module detail: A1/A2 exam structure guide
- Practise writing: Goethe A1 writing examples
- Test yourself: A1/A2 mock exams
- Build vocabulary: 500 essential A1 words
