Your path to successfully passing your exams
Concisely explained, clearly structured, well prepared.
Assess German language skills objectively, fairly and transparently
We are an independent language testing provider specializing in the assessment of German language proficiency. The tests we design for this purpose are developed, administered, and evaluated in-house. Our German language tests are aligned with the proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Quality through process reliability
Quality in aptitude diagnostics doesn't happen by chance, but through a systematically managed life cycle. We work according to the internationally recognized standard ISO 29992, which governs the evaluation of learning outcomes. For the field of German as a foreign language, we have specifically operationalized this standard, ensuring that scientific quality criteria are firmly anchored in our testing procedures.
Valid test design
Each task undergoes a multi-stage development process. Through needs analyses and pilot projects, we ensure that precisely the competencies required in reality are tested.
Objective evaluation
Our assessment procedures eliminate arbitrariness. Through standardized assessment grids, trained assessors, and statistical analyses of the quality of judgments, we guarantee that the result depends solely on the performance of the participants—regardless of who is conducting the assessment.
Fairness & equal opportunities
ISO 29992 obligates us to avoid any discrimination. We systematically review our tasks for cultural biases and ensure, through barrier-free access, that all candidates have the same opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
Certified security
We don't just claim quality, we have it proven. The independent certification body DeuZert monitors our work through regular audits. DeuZert certifies that our processes, documentation, and quality assurance measures fully comply with the requirements of ISO 29992. DeuZert verifies the integrity and compliance of our audits.
With a certificate from our company, you receive more than just a grade: you receive valid proof of language competence.
A1: This is what you need to know for the exam
The A1 German exam tests your language skills at the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Level A1 represents basic language skills. It demonstrates that you can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences that address concrete needs.
Passing the A1 exam proves that you can communicate in simple everyday situations – for example, introducing yourself and others or asking for directions. This works easily if your conversation partners speak slowly and clearly and are willing to help.
The four communication skills are tested:
📖 Read
They can understand individual familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on signs, posters or in catalogs.
🎧 Listen
They understand familiar words and simple sentences relating to themselves, their family or concrete things around them, provided that the speech is slow and clear.
✍️ Write
You can write short, simple messages like postcards and enter personal data (e.g., name, address, nationality) on forms.
🗣️ Speaking
They can communicate in a simple way, ask and answer simple questions (e.g., where they live or who they know), and use short, isolated phrases.
Exam structure – How the exam is structured
Get an overview of the individual exam sections, the respective task formats, and the available processing times in the online exam.
| Examination | Part | Tested competence | Task type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the Leseversteh | A | Global Understanding | 5 multiple-choice questions | 10 Min |
| B | Understanding details | 5 Questions Knowledge Matrix | ||
| C | Selective understanding | 5 multiple-choice questions | ||
| Written exam | ||||
| the Hörversteh | D | Global Understanding | 5 multiple-choice questions | 15 Min |
| E | Understanding details | 5 Questions Fill in Blanks | ||
| F | Selective understanding | 5 Questions Survey Matrix | ||
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | G | Writing skills | Essay | 10 Min |
| H: 5-minute break | ||||
| Mündlicher Ausdruck | I | Imagine | Monologue/Dialogue with Examiner | 12 Min |
| J | ask questions | |||
| K | Opinion discussion | |||
Question types
Your online exam will contain various question types designed to assess your language skills in different ways. Here's how each question type works.
True/False
Multiple Choice
Multiple response
Multiple Lists
Screening
Fill in blanks
Knowledge Matrix
Likert Scale
Survey Matrix
hotspot
Spoken Response
Essay
Evaluation and required points
The exams are evaluated centrally by Digital Language Testing UG in a fully digital and secure system. Non-productive sections of the exam—such as multiple-choice questions—are automatically evaluated by our system. Qualified assessors evaluate the productive skills, i.e., the oral and written exam components. To pass the exam, you must achieve at least 60% of the possible points in each section.
| Exam part | Points | percent |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam | ||
| Complete in writing | 45 | 60 % |
| the Hörversteh | 15 | 50 % |
| the Leseversteh | 15 | 50 % |
| Schriftlicher Ausdruck | 15 | 50 % |
| Mündliche Prüfung | ||
| Total Oral | 15 | 60 % |
| Part 1 | 5 | 50 % |
| Part 2 | 5 | 50 % |
| Part 3 | 5 | 50 % |
clef
| percent | minimum points | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 90 % | 54 | very well |
| 80 % | 48 | growing |
| 70 % | 42 | satisfying |
| 60 % | 36 | sufficient |
A maximum of 60 points can be achieved. The grade is calculated as the percentage of points achieved out of the total possible points. Your grade will be calculated based on this percentage according to the grading scale shown.
Our examiners: Experienced. Qualified. Fair.
Experts in testing and evaluation
All examiners are trained in standardized examination procedures and apply the assessment criteria confidently, consistently, and in accordance with regulations. This ensures comprehensible, transparent, and objective results.
Professionally qualified
Our examiners possess academic qualifications in fields such as German as a foreign or second language (GFL/GSL), German studies, or language didactics. They are thoroughly familiar with the language requirements of each CEFR level and can assess performance accordingly.
Competent in the digital examination environment
Our examiners are comprehensively trained in the use of digital examination formats. They reliably employ digital tools and ensure a professional, secure, and technically smooth process, even in online examinations.
How will your written work be assessed?
We place great importance on a fair, transparent, and encouraging assessment of your written work. Our qualified examiners read your work carefully and evaluate how well you have addressed the task. At the A1 level, we don't expect perfect essays. Rather, the goal is to demonstrate that you can write your first, very simple texts in German. The assessment is based on these four criteria:
Content / Task fulfillment
The focus here is on whether you have appropriately completed the simple writing task (e.g., filling out a form, writing a short note or postcard). You will be assessed on whether you consider the given guidelines and clearly write down basic information (e.g., about yourself, preferences, or places). Completely misunderstanding the situation or omitting essential guidelines will negatively impact your grade.
Communicative design and coherence
This criterion refers to how you string together your first words and sentences. At the A1 level, we don't yet expect a logically structured text with paragraphs. It is already considered a positive sign if you write isolated, short sentences and manage to link them together with the simplest conjunctions like "and" or "then".
Linguistic accuracy, vocabulary mastery & spelling
This assessment evaluates your application of basic grammar rules and fundamental spelling conventions (e.g., when writing names, numbers, or addresses). At the A1 level, you typically demonstrate mastery of a few memorized sentence patterns. Mistakes are perfectly normal and not a major issue as long as the reader can understand your message. Points are only deducted if basic words are misspelled to such an extent that the message becomes incomprehensible.
Spectrum: Linguistic structures & vocabulary
In this section, you will demonstrate whether you possess a basic vocabulary for very simple, concrete everyday situations. At this level, you are not expected to formulate your thoughts in a varied or flexible manner. It is perfectly sufficient if you can recall familiar basic words and simple, isolated expressions appropriate to the task. However, if your vocabulary is so limited that you cannot even communicate the simplest information, this will lower your grade.
How will your oral performance be assessed?
In the oral exam at the A1 level, the goal is absolutely not to speak flawlessly. Rather, we want to see how you can handle simple, everyday situations in German and communicate in a basic way. To ensure that the assessment is always fair and objective, our specially trained examiners follow clear, standardized guidelines. Your performance will be assessed based on the following areas:
Content / Task fulfillment
This criterion assesses your ability to handle simple speaking tasks appropriately. The key is whether you can provide and request basic personal information (e.g., name, origin, place of residence) and respond appropriately in concrete, everyday situations. Even if you only answer with single words, that's perfectly acceptable, as long as you demonstrate that you understand the situation and remain focused on the topic.
Spectrum: Linguistic structures & vocabulary
This section assesses whether you possess a basic vocabulary for simple, everyday needs. At the A1 level, we don't expect complicated sentences or a wide range of vocabulary. It will be viewed positively if you can recall familiar words and simple, memorized phrases (e.g., for shopping or introductions) appropriate to the situation. A very limited vocabulary, insufficient even for the simplest answers, may lower your score.
Fluidity and coherence
This criterion refers to your first attempts at speaking. At the A1 level, it's perfectly normal to pause to search for words or to start over. We view it positively if you use isolated words or simple sentences and perhaps even manage to link them together with basic conjunctions like "and" or "then".
Linguistic accuracy and vocabulary mastery
The focus here is on how to apply basic grammar rules and fundamental vocabulary. Since you are at the beginning of your language acquisition, you will usually only demonstrate mastery of a few simple structures. Mistakes are perfectly normal and not at all problematic, as long as your conversation partners understand what you mean. Points will only be deducted if words or very simple sentences are so incomprehensible that communication breaks down.