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Exam guide · A2

A2 · Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2

A general A2 certificate for study, work or a visa. In the Integrationskurs, A2 comes from the DTZ instead.

Goethe-Institut · telc
Language

Exam guide: A2

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up.
Exam parts4· 105 minLesen · Hören · Schreiben · Sprechen
Pass mark60/100≥ 60 of 100 in total; written ≥ 45 of 75 and oral ≥ 15 of 25
Cost€175

Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2 (Goethe-Institut · telc) has 4 parts: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen. Pass mark: ≥ 60 of 100 in total; written ≥ 45 of 75 and oral ≥ 15 of 25. Cost: Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €175; course participants 20% off (€140). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. Result: Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines. Book directly with the centre. source

  1. 1Bookat a Goethe, telc or ÖSD exam centre
  2. 2ExamNo national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines
  3. 3ResultResult times are not published centrally
  4. 4Certificatetelc certificates have no validity period; the institution that asks for the certificate decides whether it accepts it. Goethe: no validity stated on the checked pages.

Where

BerlinBonnBremenDresdenDüsseldorfFrankfurtFreiburgGöttingenHamburgHeidelbergMannheimMünchenSchwäbisch Hall

Goethe-Institut locations in Germany; telc exams are held at telc exam centres (e.g. adult education centres and language schools). Abroad: the local Goethe-Institut or telc partner. source

Waiting & results

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up. source

Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. source

Cost & retakes

Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €175; course participants 20% off (€140). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

Goethe: normally the whole exam; in special cases only the oral or the whole written part. telc A2: no partial exam. source

At a glance

UsesGoethe: internationally recognised certificate for study, work or visa.[1]
PartsLesen, Hören, Schreiben (written) + Sprechen[2]
Duration GoetheWritten 90 min + oral 15 min (pair) or 10 min (single)[2]
Duration telcAbout 85 min: written about 70 + oral about 15[3]
Pass (Goethe)≥ 60 of 100 in total; written ≥ 45 of 75 and oral ≥ 15 of 25[2]
CostGoethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €175 (course participants €140). telc: set by each centre.[4]

Exam parts105 min in total

Lesen30 min
Hören30 min
Schreiben30 min
Sprechen15 min
LesenReading · Goethe: 4 parts × 5 items. telc: 3 parts.
Goethe 30 min; telc Lesen + Schreiben 50 min
Format
Written, paper
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 4 parts × 5 items. telc: 3 parts.
Task types
Goethe: parts 1–3 multiple choice (3 options), part 4 matching.
Scoring
Goethe: part of the written 75 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[5]
HörenListening · Goethe: 4 parts × 5 items. telc: 3 parts.
Goethe about 30 min; telc about 20 min
Format
Written, audio in the room
Questions / tasks
Goethe: 4 parts × 5 items. telc: 3 parts.
Task types
Goethe: multiple choice, picture matching, true/false. Parts 1 and 4 twice, parts 2 and 3 once.
Scoring
Goethe: part of the written 75 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[5]
SchreibenWriting · 2 parts (Goethe and telc)
Goethe 30 min
Format
Written
Questions / tasks
2 parts (Goethe and telc)
Task types
Goethe: a short text message of 20–30 words and an e-mail of 30–40 words.
Scoring
Goethe: part of the written 75 points.
Allowed aids
telc: no dictionary[5]
SprechenSpeaking · 3 parts (Goethe and telc)
About 15 min
Format
Goethe: pair (single if needed), no preparation. telc: usually 2 candidates.
Questions / tasks
3 parts (Goethe and telc)
Task types
Goethe: questions about yourself with word cards; tell about your life; plan something together with your partner.
Scoring
Goethe: 25 points; at least 15 needed.
Allowed aids
—[5]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Goethe pass rule

Written maximum 75, oral 25, total 100. You pass with at least 60 points overall, at least 45 in the written part and at least 15 in the oral part.[2]

2

Goethe retake

Normally you retake the whole exam. In special cases only the oral part or the whole written part can be retaken.[2]

3

telc: whole exam only

telc Deutsch A2 (Start Deutsch 2) is paper-based and cannot be taken as a partial exam.[3]

4

telc certificates

telc certificates have no validity period; results are archived for 10 years. The institution that asks for it decides if it is accepted.[6]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Lesen: everyday texts

  • Goethe: 20 items in 30 minutes — about 1.5 minutes per item.
  • Mostly 3-option multiple choice plus one matching task.
  • CEFR A2: find specific, predictable information in simple everyday texts such as ads, menus and timetables.
Source [5]

Hören: once or twice

  • Goethe: 20 items in 4 parts.
  • Parts 2 and 3 are heard only once — train for the first listen.
  • CEFR A2: understand phrases and common words about personal matters, shopping, work and the local area.
Source [5]

Schreiben: two short messages

  • Goethe: 20–30 words and 30–40 words.
  • Each task gives points to cover — cover all of them.
  • CEFR A2: write short, simple notes and messages and a very simple personal letter.
Source [5]

Sprechen: talk with a partner

  • Ask and answer personal questions from word cards.
  • Tell about your own life (e.g. free time, family).
  • Agree on a plan with your partner, e.g. find a time to meet.
  • Goethe: at least 15 of 25 points needed, even with a high written score.
Source [5]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels1
A2 in the integration course

In the Integrationskurs the language exam is the DTZ, which can also give an A2 result. See the DTZ guide.[8]

Registration2
Goethe: where

In Germany at the Goethe-Institut locations (e.g. Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Göttingen, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Mannheim, München, Schwäbisch Hall); abroad at the local Goethe-Institut.[7]

telc: register at a telc exam centre

You register with a telc exam centre. Each centre sets its own prices, conditions and dates.[6]

Costs & payment1
Fees

Goethe-Institut in Germany (2026): €175; course participants 20% off = €140. Prices elsewhere differ.[4]

Good to know1
Other telc formats

telc also offers telc Deutsch A2·B1, one exam with a result at A2 or B1.[9]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Goethe: 90 minutes written, no break

    Lesen 30, Hören about 30 and Schreiben 30 minutes in one block.[2]

  2. 2
    Goethe: speaking without preparation

    Pair exam 15 minutes, individual exam 10 minutes; there is no preparation time.[2]

  3. 3
    telc: photo ID

    Show a valid official photo ID before you enter the exam room.[6]

  4. 4
    telc: no dictionary, no phone

    Dictionaries, textbooks, own notes, mobile phones, smartwatches and devices with internet are not allowed. Pencils, erasers and a clear bottle without label are allowed.[6]

Recent and planned changes

  1. In forceGoethe exam rules updated

    The current Goethe Durchführungsbestimmungen for A2 are dated 1 September 2025.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

Lesen (Goethe 30 min; telc Lesen + Schreiben 50 min) · Hören (Goethe about 30 min; telc about 20 min) · Schreiben (Goethe 30 min) · Sprechen (About 15 min).

What is the pass mark for Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

≥ 60 of 100 in total; written ≥ 45 of 75 and oral ≥ 15 of 25 source

How much does Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2 cost?

Goethe-Institut in Germany 2026: €175; course participants 20% off (€140). telc and centres abroad set their own prices. source

How do you register for Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

No national exam dates: each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre sets its own dates and registration deadlines. Book directly with the centre. source

How long do you have to wait for Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Book early — popular dates can fill up. source

When do you get the result of Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

Result times are not published centrally; ask your exam centre. source

What happens if you fail Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

Goethe: normally the whole exam; in special cases only the oral or the whole written part. telc A2: no partial exam. source

Where can you take Goethe-Zertifikat A2 / telc Deutsch A2?

Goethe-Institut locations in Germany; telc exams are held at telc exam centres (e.g. adult education centres and language schools). Abroad: the local Goethe-Institut or telc partner. Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Göttingen, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Mannheim, München, Schwäbisch Hall. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-29. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
    Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  2. [2]
    Durchführungsbestimmungen Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Goethe-Institut · page date 2025-09-01
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
    Prüfungspreise 2026 Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
    Prüfungen (Übersicht, Standorte) Goethe-Institut Deutschland
  8. [8]
  9. [9]
  10. [10]
    CEFR self-assessment grid (EN) European Union (Europass)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Know which provider you need

Goethe and telc A2 differ in timing and structure. Ask the authority or school that wants the certificate which one they accept.

2Do not neglect speaking

At Goethe you need at least 15 of 25 in speaking. Practise the three tasks with a partner and no preparation time.

3Count your words

Practise writing 20–30 and 30–40 words that answer every point in the task.

4Use the official model tests

Goethe publishes an A2 model test and practice set with audio; telc publishes a mock exam. Do one full set with a timer.

Practise in exam formatMock sets and official sample examsOpen Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Practise each part — sample questions with answers

Key facts in one pageGoethe A2 Lesen (Reading)Goethe A2 Hören (Listening)Goethe A2 Schreiben (Writing)Goethe A2 Sprechen (Speaking)Goethe-Zertifikat A2German word listsQuestions and answers

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (BAMF, g.a.s.t., Goethe-Institut, telc and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins