Goethe-Zertifikat A1:
What You're Preparing For
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is an internationally recognised German language certificate for absolute beginners. It proves you can handle basic communication in everyday situations. Here is every detail you need to know before you begin studying.
Total Score
60 pts
15 points per section
Pass Mark
36 pts
60% overall — no per-section minimum
Total Duration
~80 min
Written + 15 min speaking (separate)
Study Hours Needed
80–120
hrs of focused preparation
Grade Scale (Out of 60 Points)
Results posted on Goethe-Institut website within 10–15 days. Certificate arrives by post ~1 week later.
Hören — Listening
Teil 1 — Short Dialogues (6 pts)
You hear 6 short conversations, each played twice. For each, you select the correct picture from 3 options (A, B, C). Topics: prices, appointments, locations, everyday requests.
Teil 2 — Announcements / True-False (4 pts)
You hear 4 short announcements (airport, supermarket, train station), played once only. For each, you decide if a written statement is Richtig (True) or Falsch (False). This is considered the hardest part — pay attention to numbers, times, and directions carefully. Synonyms and antonyms are commonly used to trick.
Teil 3 — Phone Messages / Monologues (5 pts)
You hear 5 telephone answering machine messages, each played twice. For each, choose the correct answer from 3 options. Focus on key information: names, times, places, requests.
📌 Key Tip: For Teil 2, you only hear the audio once. Write notes immediately. Numbers, locations, and times are critical — the wrong answer is usually a plausible-sounding alternative.
Lesen — Reading
Reading and Writing are done on the same answer sheet, in a combined 45-minute block. Suggested split: 25 minutes Reading, 20 minutes Writing.
Teil 1 — True/False Emails (5 pts)
You receive 2 short email texts (approx. 40–70 words each). For each of 5 statements, decide: Richtig or Falsch. The questions test whether you understood specific facts in the text.
Teil 2 — Notice Matching (5 pts)
You see 5 situations/needs and 8 short notices (ads, signs, announcements). Match each situation to the correct notice by selecting A or B for each. One notice may not match.
Teil 3 — Multiple Choice Notices (5 pts)
You read 5 short texts (signs, product labels, small ads). For each, a statement is given. Decide if the statement correctly matches what the text says — choose from 3 options.
📌 Strategy: You don't need to understand every word. Practice skimming for gist and scanning for specific facts (names, numbers, times). Eliminate wrong answers — if you see a keyword match, verify the full context before committing.
Schreiben — Writing
Teil 1 — Fill in a Form (5 pts)
A short text (50–80 words) describes a person — name, age, job, address, hobbies, etc. Below, a registration/booking form has 5 blank fields. You copy the correct information from the text into the correct box. Do not write your own information!
Teil 2 — Write a Short Message (10 pts)
You receive a prompt with 3 bullet points that you must address. Write a short formal or informal email or message (approximately 30–35 words, 5–6 lines). Include a greeting, respond to all 3 points, and close appropriately. You do not need complex grammar — clear communication is the goal.
Beispiel (Example prompt): "Schreiben Sie an Ihren Freund Klaus. Schreiben Sie über: Ihre Ankunft / Ihr Hotel / ein Treffen"→ Write to your friend Klaus about: your arrival / your hotel / a meeting
📌 Scoring: The message is marked on content (all 3 points addressed?) and language (correct, readable German?). Don't worry about perfection — aim for clear communication with correct verbs and articles.
Sprechen — Speaking
The Speaking exam is conducted separately from the written exam, usually in a group of 2–3 candidates. There are 2 examiners: a moderator (leads the activity) and an assessor (evaluates your performance silently). The environment is friendly — examiners want you to succeed.
Teil 1 — Self-Introduction (structured)
You receive a prompt card listing topics: Name, Alter, Land, Wohnort, Sprachen, Beruf, Hobby. Speak in short, complete sentences about yourself. At the end, ask your neighbour "Und Sie, wer sind Sie, bitte?" The moderator will ask you to spell one piece of information (your name, street) and give a number (phone number, zip code).
„Mein Name ist Meer Hassan. Ich komme aus Pakistan. Ich wohne in Lahore. Ich spreche Englisch und Urdu. Ich bin KI-Ingenieur. Mein Hobby ist Programmieren."
Teil 2 — Information Exchange
You each receive 2–3 prompt cards (everyday objects or topics, e.g. "Uhrzeit", "Preis", "Adresse"). You ask each other questions and give short answers based on the cards. Practice question words: Wie viel? Wo? Wann? Wie?
Teil 3 — Making Requests
Each person receives a picture card (e.g., a glass of water, an apple, a pencil). You make a request using the image, and your partner responds. Simple polite phrases are all you need.
„Ein Glas Wasser, bitte!" / „Kann ich den Stift haben, bitte?" / „Ja, natürlich, bitte!"
📌 Important: You may ask the moderator to repeat something ("Bitte noch einmal") — this is allowed and will NOT cost you points. Speak clearly, use full sentences, and stay calm.
8-Week Academy
Study Schedule
This curriculum mirrors how a formal German language academy would structure an A1 course, broken into 4 phases. Each phase builds on the previous one. Aim for 90–120 minutes of study per day, 5–6 days a week. Total: approximately 90–110 hours.
Daily Study Formula (90 min): 20 min Vocabulary (Memrise/flashcards) → 30 min Grammar (YouTube + notes) → 20 min Listening or Reading (practice material) → 20 min Speaking aloud / Writing practice
PHASE 1
Week 1 — Foundations: Sound, Alphabet & Identity
~14 hrs
🎯 Phase Goal
Master the German alphabet and sounds, introduce yourself in German, use basic greetings, understand numbers 0–100, and form your first simple sentences.
Mon
90 min German alphabet, umlauts (ä, ö, ü), pronunciation rules (ch, sch, st, sp, ie, ei). Listen and repeat with DW Nicos Weg Ep 1–5.
Tue
90 min Greetings & farewells (Hallo, Guten Morgen, Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen). Personal pronouns (ich, du, er, sie, es, wir, ihr, Sie). Verb "sein" full conjugation.
Wed
90 min Numbers 0–100. Telling age ("Ich bin 28 Jahre alt"). Days of the week. Months. Practice with Lingoni German A1 playlist.
Thu
90 min Self-introduction: name, age, country, city, language, job, hobby. Write your introduction (5–6 sentences). Record yourself speaking it.
Fri
90 min Verb "sein" und "haben" conjugations. Possessive pronouns (mein, dein). Simple questions (Ich bin Meer. Wie heißen Sie? Woher kommen Sie? Wo wohnen Sie?).
Weekend
2 hrs Review & consolidate. Memrise session. Write 10 sentences about yourself. Practice speaking introduction aloud 5× without looking at notes.
Grammar Covered This Week
You can now introduce yourself in German from memory. Checkpoint: Record a 1-minute spoken introduction and play it back.
PHASE 1
Week 2 — Grammar Core: Nouns, Articles & Simple Sentences
~14 hrs
🎯 Week Goal
Understand noun genders (der/die/das), use definite and indefinite articles, form basic Subject-Verb-Object sentences, and negate with "nicht" and "kein."
Mon
90 min German genders: der (m), die (f), das (n). Learn 30 nouns with their articles. Tips for guessing gender from word endings (-ung = die, -er = usually der, etc.).
Tue
90 min Definite articles (der/die/das) vs. Indefinite articles (ein/eine/ein). Kein/keine (negation of nouns). Nominative case introduction.
Wed
90 min Present tense regular verb conjugation (-en verbs: machen, lernen, wohnen, arbeiten, spielen). Full paradigm: ich mache, du machst, er/sie/es macht…
Thu
90 min Basic SVO sentence structure. Negation with "nicht." Practice 20 sentences. Vocabulary: family members (Mutter, Vater, Bruder, Schwester, Kind, Oma, Opa).
Fri
90 min Yes/No questions (Haben Sie…? Sprechen Sie Deutsch?). W-questions: Wer, Was, Wo, Woher, Wann, Wie, Warum. Reading: short text about a person from Nicos Weg.
Weekend
2 hrs Write 3 short paragraphs: about yourself, your family, your daily life. Review articles and genders with flashcards. Memrise + Duolingo session.
Grammar Covered This Week
You can write and speak basic sentences about yourself and your family. You understand noun genders and can conjugate regular verbs.
PHASE 2
Week 3 — Everyday Life: Time, Food, Places & the Accusative
~14 hrs
🎯 Week Goal
Tell time, talk about daily routines, order food, describe where things are, and master the Accusative case for direct objects.
Mon
90 min Telling time: Wie spät ist es? Es ist 9 Uhr / halb zehn / Viertel nach acht. 24-hour clock. Time prepositions: um, von…bis, am Morgen/Abend.
Tue
90 min Daily routine vocabulary: aufstehen, frühstücken, arbeiten, kochen, schlafen. Separable verbs (aufmachen, anrufen, einkaufen). Practice a daily routine paragraph.
Wed
90 min Accusative case: how der → den, ein → einen. Direct object recognition. Practice with: "Ich sehe den Mann / einen Hund / das Kind / die Frau." Accusative pronouns: mich, dich, ihn, sie, es.
Thu
90 min Food and restaurant vocabulary: Brot, Wasser, Kaffee, Tee, Bier, Wurst, Käse, Obst, Gemüse. Ordering: "Ich möchte…bitte." "Was kostet das?"
Fri
90 min Modal verbs introduction: können, möchten, müssen, wollen, dürfen, sollen. Sentence position (modal in position 2, infinitive at end): "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen."
Weekend
2 hrs DW Nicos Weg listening episodes 10–15. Write a daily routine. Practice a restaurant dialogue with a language partner or by recording both sides yourself.
Grammar Covered This Week
You can talk about your daily routine, order food in a café, tell the time, and correctly use Accusative articles in sentences.
PHASE 2
Week 4 — Expanding World: Shopping, Directions & Numbers
~14 hrs
🎯 Week Goal
Navigate shopping situations, ask for and give directions, use prepositions of place, understand prices, and cover the Dative case basics.
Mon
90 min Numbers 100–1,000,000. Prices: "Das kostet zwei Euro fünfzig." Ordinal numbers 1st–31st for dates. Months and writing dates.
Tue
90 min Shopping vocabulary: kaufen, bezahlen, kosten, brauchen. Clothing, sizes. "Was darf es sein?" / "Ich suche…" / "Haben Sie das in Größe M?"
Wed
90 min Prepositions of place: in, an, auf, unter, neben, zwischen, vor, hinter, über (two-way prepositions at A1: focus on where = Dative use). Accusative prepositions: durch, für, gegen, ohne, um.
Thu
90 min Directions vocabulary: geradeaus, links, rechts, die Kreuzung, die Straße, der Bahnhof, die Post, das Hotel. Dialogue: asking and giving directions.
Fri
90 min Dative case introduction: indirect objects. Dative prepositions: mit, aus, bei, nach, seit, von, zu, gegenüber. Article changes: dem/der/einem/einer.
Weekend
2 hrs Mock Listening Teil 1 (6 questions) using Goethe sample audio. Mock Reading Teil 2 (notice matching). Write a short shopping list email. Review Weeks 1–4 flashcards.
Grammar Covered This Week
You can navigate shops and ask for directions in German. You understand both Nominative and Accusative cases, and basic Dative usage.
PHASE 3
Week 5 — Communication Skills: Past Tense, Jobs & Housing
~14 hrs
🎯 Week Goal
Speak about the past (Perfekt tense), discuss work and living situations, use adjectives with correct endings, write short personal messages.
Mon
90 min Perfekt (spoken past) formation: haben/sein + past participle. Regular participles (ge- + stem + -t: gemacht, gelernt). Irregular participles (gegessen, getrunken, geschrieben). When to use sein (movement/change verbs).
Tue
90 min Jobs and work vocabulary: Arzt, Lehrer, Ingenieur, Student, Verkäuferin, Koch. Workplace contexts. "Was machen Sie beruflich?" / "Ich arbeite als…" / "Ich bin…von Beruf."
Wed
90 min Housing vocabulary: die Wohnung, das Zimmer, die Küche, das Badezimmer, der Garten, die Miete. Describing a home. "Die Wohnung hat 3 Zimmer."
Thu
90 min Adjectives in predicative position (no endings): "Das Haus ist groß." "Der Kaffee ist heiß." Colors. Comparative at A1: "Das Haus ist größer." (introduce briefly).
Fri
90 min Coordinating conjunctions: und, aber, oder, denn, sondern. Sentence linking. Writing a short message about weekend plans. "Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, aber ich habe keine Zeit."
Weekend
2 hrs Writing practice: Teil 2 mock (write a 30-word email from a prompt). Practice reading Teil 1 true/false email exercise from Goethe sample paper.
Grammar Covered This Week
You can speak and write about past events, describe your job and home, and link sentences with conjunctions. You can write a basic email to a friend.
PHASE 3
Week 6 — Expanding Communication: Health, Travel & Hobbies
~14 hrs
🎯 Week Goal
Talk about health symptoms, book transport and hotels, discuss hobbies, and complete a full mock exam under timed conditions.
Mon
90 min Health vocabulary: der Arzt, krank, Schmerzen, der Kopf, der Bauch, Fieber, Husten. "Ich habe Kopfschmerzen." / "Mir geht es nicht gut." Apoteke / Krankenhaus. Body parts.
Tue
90 min Transport & travel: Zug, Bus, Flugzeug, Ticket, Bahnhof, Abfahrt, Ankunft, Gleis. Buying tickets: "Eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin, bitte." / "Wann fährt der nächste Zug?"
Wed
90 min Hobbies vocabulary: lesen, schwimmen, Fußball spielen, kochen, reisen, Musik hören, fotografieren. "Was machst du gern?" / "Ich spiele gern Gitarre."
Thu
90 min Präteritum of sein (war) and haben (hatte) — used in writing. Imperfect of modal verbs (konnte, wollte, musste). Letter/email writing practice with past tense.
Fri
90 min Full Goethe-Institut model exam (Modellsatz): Listening + Reading + Writing under timed conditions (≈65 minutes). Self-evaluate with answer key.
Weekend
2 hrs Thorough review of mock exam. Identify weak areas. Flashcard review of all vocabulary from Weeks 1–6. Speaking practice: simulate all 3 exam parts aloud.
Grammar Covered This Week
You have completed your first full timed mock exam. Review your score. If you scored ≥ 36/60 on the written sections, you are on track. If below, identify the weakest section and double down.
PHASE 4
Weeks 7–8 — Exam Simulation & Consolidation
~20 hrs
🎯 Phase Goal
Drill exam-specific techniques, simulate all 4 sections under real exam conditions, address weak points, and build the speaking confidence needed for Test Day.
Week 7
Complete Goethe practice sets 01 and 02 (free PDFs + audio). One full mock per week. Focus: intensive speaking practice (record all 3 speaking parts). Review vocabulary list from official Goethe A1 word list (download from goethe.de).
Week 8
Final revision of all grammar (cases, verb conjugations, modal verbs). Timed mock with answer key. Speaking simulation: practice with a partner or HelloTalk user. Study word spelling for the speaking exam (alphabet and number dictation).
Day Before
Light review only. Re-read your speaking introduction. Sleep early. Prepare your ID, exam confirmation, and a pen. Do NOT cram — trust your preparation.
Focus Areas in Final Phase
You are exam-ready. Target score before booking: consistently hitting 40+/60 on mock written tests and comfortable with all 3 speaking tasks.
Complete A1 Grammar
Reference Guide
These are all the grammar concepts tested at A1. You do not need to master every nuance — focus on correct usage in simple sentences. The exam rewards communication, not perfection.
| Grammar Topic | What You Need to Know | Example | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Pronouns | Nominative: ich, du, er/sie/es, wir, ihr, sie/Sie | Ich bin Student. Sie ist Lehrerin. | Wk 1 |
| Verb "sein" | bin, bist, ist, sind, seid, sind — irregular, must memorise | Er ist müde. Wir sind Freunde. | Wk 1 |
| Verb "haben" | habe, hast, hat, haben, habt, haben — used for possession + Perfekt | Ich habe einen Bruder. Sie hat Hunger. | Wk 1 |
| Noun Gender | 3 genders: der (m), die (f), das (n). Learn each noun with its article. | der Mann, die Frau, das Kind | Wk 2 |
| Definite Articles | Nominative: der/die/das. Accusative: den/die/das. Dative: dem/der/dem+n. | Der Kaffee ist heiß. Ich sehe den Mann. | Wk 2 |
| Indefinite Articles | Nom: ein/eine/ein. Acc: einen/eine/ein. Neg: kein/keine. | Das ist ein Buch. Ich habe keine Zeit. | Wk 2 |
| Regular Verb Conjugation (Präsens) | Stem + endings: -e, -st, -t, -en, -t, -en. Works for most -en/-n verbs. | ich lerne, du lernst, er lernt, wir lernen… | Wk 2 |
| Irregular Strong Verbs | Vowel changes in du/er forms. Key verbs: fahren, lesen, sehen, nehmen, essen, sprechen. | du fährst, er liest, sie sieht, er nimmt | Wk 2–3 |
| Nominative Case | The subject (who/what performs the action). Articles unchanged from base form. | Der Lehrer erklärt die Grammatik. | Wk 2 |
| Accusative Case | The direct object. Only der → den changes (masculine). Articles: einen/den. | Ich kaufe einen Apfel. Ich sehe den Film. | Wk 3 |
| Modal Verbs | können, müssen, wollen, möchten, dürfen, sollen. Modal in position 2, infinitive at end. | Ich kann schwimmen. Sie muss arbeiten. | Wk 3 |
| Separable Verbs | Prefix splits off to end: aufmachen, anrufen, einschlafen, einkaufen, aufstehen. | Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. Er ruft an. | Wk 3 |
| Negation (nicht / kein) | nicht = negates verbs/adjectives/adverbs. kein/keine = negates nouns. | Ich arbeite nicht. Ich habe kein Auto. | Wk 2 |
| W-Questions | Wer (who), Was (what), Wo (where), Woher (from where), Wann (when), Wie (how), Warum (why), Welcher (which), Wie viel (how much). | Wo wohnen Sie? Wie heißen Sie? | Wk 2 |
| Yes/No Questions | Verb moves to position 1: Haben Sie…? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? | Haben Sie Kinder? — Ja, ich habe zwei. | Wk 2 |
| Dative Case (basic) | Indirect object + dative prepositions (mit, aus, bei, nach, seit, von, zu). Articles: dem/der/einem/einer. | Ich komme aus Pakistan. Ich fahre mit dem Bus. | Wk 4 |
| Prepositions (place) | Two-way: in, an, auf, unter, neben, vor, hinter, zwischen, über (where = Dative at A1). | Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. | Wk 4 |
| Possessive Pronouns | mein/meine, dein/deine, sein/seine, ihr/ihre, unser, euer, ihr/ihre. Declined like ein-articles. | Das ist meine Schwester. Wo ist dein Buch? | Wk 2–3 |
| Perfekt (Past Tense) | haben/sein + past participle. Regular: ge- + stem + -t. Irregular: must memorise. | Ich habe gegessen. Er ist gefahren. | Wk 5 |
| Präteritum of sein/haben | war/hatte — used in written German (letters, forms). "Ich war krank." "Wir hatten keine Zeit." | Gestern war ich müde. Er hatte Hunger. | Wk 6 |
| Sentence Word Order | Verb always in position 2. Time-Manner-Place rule. V2 in main clauses. | Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin. | Wk 1–2 |
| Coordinating Conjunctions | und, aber, oder, denn, sondern — connect sentences without changing word order. | Ich lerne Deutsch, aber es ist schwer. | Wk 5 |
| Adjectives (predicative) | After sein — no endings needed: "Das Wetter ist schön." "Die Suppe ist heiß." | Der Tee ist kalt. Das Zimmer ist groß. | Wk 5 |
| Plural Nouns | German has many plural patterns. Learn the plural with each new noun. Common patterns: -e, -er, -en, -s, no change, umlaut. | das Kind → die Kinder; der Mann → die Männer | Wk 3–4 |
| Time Expressions (Zeitangaben) | Telling time: Es ist 9 Uhr / halb zehn / Viertel nach acht / Viertel vor drei. Time prepositions: um (at), am (on), von…bis (from…to), seit (since), gegen (around). Days: am Montag. Parts of day: am Morgen, am Abend, nachts. | Um wie viel Uhr? — Es ist halb neun. Ich arbeite von 9 bis 17 Uhr. | Wk 3 |
A1 Vocabulary
by Theme
Target vocabulary for A1: 500–700 words. The official Goethe A1 vocabulary list (free PDF on goethe.de) lists all required words by theme. Below are the core themes with essential words and suggested counts. Learn nouns always with their article (der/die/das).
🙋 Personal Info & Introductions
~35 words
Identity, personal details, contact info.
der Namedas Alterdie Adressedie Nationalitätder Berufdas Hobbydie Sprachedie E-Maildie Telefonnummerheißenkommen auswohnenlebensprechen
👨👩👧 Family & Relationships
~30 words
Family members, relationships, marital status.
die Mutterder Vaterder Bruderdie Schwesterdie Omader Opadas Kindder Manndie Frauverheiratetledigder Freundder Kollege
🔢 Numbers, Time & Dates
~50 words
Cardinal/ordinal numbers, clock time, calendar.
0–1000erste / zweitedie UhrhalbViertelder Montagder Januarder Frühlingdas Datumder Geburtstagheutemorgengestern
🍎 Food & Drink
~50 words
Groceries, restaurant, meals, drinks.
das Brotder Käsedas Fleischdas Gemüsedas Obstder Kaffeeder Teedas Bierdas Wasserdie Suppedas Frühstückdas Mittagessenbezahlenbestellen
🏠 Home & Living
~40 words
Rooms, furniture, household tasks.
die Wohnungdas Zimmerdie Küchedas Badezimmerdas Schlafzimmerdas Wohnzimmerder Tischder Stuhldas Bettdie Lampedie Mietekochenaufräumen
👔 Work & Professions
~30 words
Jobs, workplace, work-related verbs.
der Arztdie Lehrerinder Ingenieurder Studentder Kochder Verkäuferdas Büroarbeitenverdienender Chefdie Stelle
🚆 Transport & Travel
~40 words
Getting around, transport modes, travel.
der Zugder Busdas Autodas Flugzeugdas Fahrradder Bahnhofdas Ticketdie Abfahrtdie Ankunftdas Gleisfahrenfliegen
🏪 Shopping
~35 words
Shops, prices, clothing, purchases.
der Supermarktdas Geschäftkaufenbezahlenkostender Preisdie Größedas Hemddie Hoseder Schuhteuerbillig
💊 Health & Body
~35 words
Body parts, health symptoms, doctor's visit.
krankder Schmerzder Kopfder Bauchdas Fieberder Hustender Arztdie Apothekedas Krankenhausdas Medikamentgesund
🏙️ City & Directions
~40 words
City features, navigation, places.
die Straßedie Kreuzunglinksrechtsgeradeausdie Postdas Hoteldie Bankdas Museumder Parkdas Kinoder Markt
⚽ Hobbies & Free Time
~30 words
Sports, leisure activities, cultural interests.
lesenschwimmenkochenreisentanzenMusik hörenfotografierendas Konzertdas Theaterder Sportgern
🌦️ Weather & Nature
~25 words
Weather, seasons, basic nature vocabulary.
das Wettersonnigregnerischwindigkaltwarmder Schneeder Regender Frühlingder Sommerder Herbstder Winter
🔗 Official Word List: Download the free official Goethe-Zertifikat A1 Vocabulary List (Wortliste) directly from goethe.de/en/spr/prf/ueb/pa1.html. This is the definitive reference — every word on it is potentially on your exam.
German Syntax &
Word Order Rules
German word order can feel confusing at first, but it follows very consistent rules. Master these 5 patterns and you'll handle all A1 sentences correctly.
1 The Golden Rule: Verb in Position 2
In any main clause (Hauptsatz), the conjugated verb must always occupy the second position — not necessarily the second word, but the second "block" (grammatical slot). This is called V2 word order.
Position 1
→
VERB (Position 2)
→
Rest of sentence
Ich
lerne
jeden Tag Deutsch.
Jeden Tag
lerne
ich
Deutsch.
Both sentences mean the same thing. When something other than the subject starts the sentence, the subject and verb swap — this is called inversion.
2 Standard Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
Subject
Verb
Object / Complement
Ich
trinke
Kaffee.
Er
kauft
ein Buch.
Wir
besuchen
unsere Familie.
⚠️ Exception — Interrogative (Yes/No Questions):
When forming a yes/no question, the verb moves to
Position 1 — before the subject.
The structure becomes: Verb → Subject → Rest.
Trinken Sie Kaffee? | Kauft er ein Buch? | Besuchen wir die Familie?
3 Time — Manner — Place (TMP Rule)
When adding multiple adverbs, German follows this order: When? → How? → Where?
Ich
fahre
morgen
mit dem Zug
nach Berlin.
TIME
MANNER
PLACE
4 Modal Verbs: Position 2 + Infinitive at End
Ich
kann
gut
Gitarre
spielen.
Er
muss
heute
arbeiten.
Wir
möchten
ein Zimmer
reservieren.
The modal verb is conjugated in position 2. The infinitive of the main verb goes to the very end. This is sometimes called the "verb bracket" (Verbklammer).
5 Separable Verbs: Prefix Goes to End
Ich
stehe
um 7 Uhr
auf.
Sie
kauft
jeden Samstag
ein.
The prefix (auf-, an-, ein-, mit-, ab-…) always splits off and goes to the end of the main clause. With modal verbs: "Ich muss um 7 Uhr aufstehen." — prefix stays attached in infinitive form.
6 Forming Questions
W-Word
VERB
Subject
…?
Wo
wohnen
Sie
?
Was
isst
du
gern?
VERB
Subject
…?
(Yes/No questions)
Haben
Sie
ein Zimmer frei?
Practice Exercises
& Templates
Speaking
Exercise 1: Master Your Self-Introduction (Exam Teil 1)
Write and memorise a complete self-introduction based on the exact prompts used in the exam. Speak it aloud 5× daily until it flows naturally. Then practice spelling your name/city and saying your phone number in German.
Mein Name ist ____________.
Ich komme aus ____________.
Ich wohne in ____________.
Ich bin ________ Jahre alt.
Ich spreche ____________ und Deutsch (ein bisschen).
Ich bin ____________ von Beruf.
Mein Hobby ist ____________.
Und Sie, wer sind Sie, bitte?
💡 Practice spelling: "Mein Name ist Meer — M-E-E-R." Practice numbers: "Meine Handynummer ist null-drei-zwei-eins…"
Speaking
Exercise 2: Information Exchange Dialogues (Exam Teil 2)
Practice asking and answering using W-questions with common everyday topics. Use the prompt cards below. Record yourself taking both roles.
Topic Card A: "Uhrzeit" — Practice: "Wie spät ist es?" / "Es ist halb neun." / "Um wie viel Uhr beginnt der Film?"
Topic Card B: "Preis" — Practice: "Was kostet das?" / "Das kostet drei Euro fünfzig." / "Haben Sie etwas Günstigeres?"
Topic Card C: "Wohnort" — Practice: "Wo wohnen Sie?" / "Ich wohne in Berlin, in der Hauptstraße 5." / "Wie ist die Postleitzahl?"
Topic Card D: "Beruf" — Practice: "Was machen Sie beruflich?" / "Ich bin Ingenieur." / "Wo arbeiten Sie?"
Speaking
Exercise 3: Polite Requests (Exam Teil 3)
Look at the object name below and practice making a natural request. Your partner responds. Then switch.
📍 You see: [image of water glass]
You say: "Ein Glas Wasser, bitte!"
Partner: "Ja, natürlich, bitte sehr!"
📍 You see: [image of pen]
You say: "Kann ich den Stift haben, bitte?"
Partner: "Ja, bitte! Hier."
📍 You see: [image of apple]
You say: "Darf ich den Apfel haben?"
Partner: "Ja, klar!"
Writing
Exercise 4: Fill in a Form (Exam Schreiben Teil 1)
Read the mini-biography below and fill in the form. This is exactly the format of the exam task.
Thomas Wagner kommt aus Österreich. Er ist 34 Jahre alt und wohnt in Wien, Ringstraße 12, PLZ 1010. Er ist Lehrer von Beruf und spricht Deutsch und Englisch. Seine Telefonnummer ist 0043 123 456 789. Er ist verheiratet und hat zwei Kinder.
ANMELDEFORMULAR (Registration Form)
Name: ____________________
Alter: ____________________
Wohnort: ____________________
Postleitzahl: ____________________
Beruf: ____________________
Telefon: ____________________
Writing
Exercise 5: Write a Short Message (Exam Schreiben Teil 2)
Write a short email of ~30 words. Use the following prompts. You must address all 3 bullet points. Use a greeting, 3 sentences (one per bullet), and a closing. Aim for clear, simple German.
Aufgabe: Schreiben Sie eine E-Mail an Ihre Freundin Anna. Schreiben Sie über:
• Ihr Wochenende
• Das Wetter
• Ein Treffen
• Ihr Wochenende
• Das Wetter
• Ein Treffen
Liebe ____,
[Bullet 1 — Wochenende]: ___________________________________.
[Bullet 2 — Wetter]: ___________________________________.
[Bullet 3 — Treffen]: ___________________________________.
Viele Grüße,
_____
Model Answer: "Liebe Anna, am Wochenende habe ich viel gelesen. Das Wetter war sehr schön und sonnig. Wollen wir uns am Dienstag treffen?"
💡 Useful openings: Liebe/Lieber (informal) | Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren (formal)
Closings: Viele Grüße / Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Herzliche Grüße
Writing
Exercise 6: Daily Writing Challenges (Progressive)
Complete one writing prompt per day in a dedicated notebook or text file. Start with 2–3 sentences, grow to 5–6 by Week 4.
Week 1–2: "Ich heiße... / Ich komme aus... / Ich wohne in..." | "Beschreibe deine Familie." | "Was sind deine Hobbys?"
Week 3–4: "Beschreibe deinen Tag." | "Was hast du gestern gemacht?" | "Schreibe eine Einkaufsliste und erkläre, warum du diese Dinge brauchst."
Week 5–6: "Schreibe eine E-Mail an einen Freund über dein Wochenende." | "Beschreibe deine Wohnung." | "Schreibe einen Brief an ein Hotel und reserviere ein Zimmer."
Curated Free Resources
for Every Skill
All resources below are free and directly aligned with the A1 Goethe exam. Organised by skill and category for easy reference.
🏛️ Official Goethe-Institut Resources
Goethe A1 Exam Training Page
Official · PDF + Audio + Online
Free model exam, 2 practice sets, audio files, speaking video, and the official A1 vocabulary list. This is your #1 resource.
goethe.de/en/spr/prf/ueb/pa1.html
Goethe A1 Official Vocabulary List
Official · PDF Download
The definitive word list for the exam, organised thematically. Download and use as your master reference throughout your studies.
Free PDF at goethe.de
Goethe Online Exam Training
Official · Interactive
Digital interactive version of the model exam — practice Listening, Reading, and Writing with instant feedback on correct/incorrect answers.
goethe.de interactive training
📺 YouTube Channels — Grammar & Lessons
Lingoni German (formerly Jenny)
YouTube · A1–B2 Structured Course
Most structured free A1 course on YouTube. Lessons follow CEFR levels with clear grammar explanations and vocabulary. English + German subtitles. ~847K subscribers.
@lingoniGERMAN
Learn German with Anja
YouTube · Beginner-friendly
High energy, extremely clear explanations. A1 video series for absolute beginners. Great pronunciation modeling. One of the most popular German channels.
@LearnGermanwithAnja
Deutsch für Euch
YouTube · Grammar Focus
Categorised by CEFR level. All A1 videos in one playlist. Explains grammar in English. Excellent for cases, articles, and verb conjugations.
@DeutschFürEuch
Herr Antrim
YouTube · Grammar Deep-Dives
High school German teacher. Detailed, structured whiteboard lessons. Categorised A1–C2. Includes A1 checklist (free download from his website).
@Herr.Antrim
Goethe-Institut YouTube
YouTube · Official Channel
Official channel from Germany's leading language institution. Structured A1–C2 content, cultural videos, and exam-specific preparation materials.
@GoetheInstitut
🎬 YouTube Series — Immersive Story-Based Learning
Nicos Weg (DW — Deutsche Welle)
YouTube + Website · A1–B1 Series
Professional production series following Nico's life in Germany. 50–75 episodes per level. Each episode targets specific vocabulary topics. Free worksheets, transcripts, and exercises available. Best story-based resource for A1.
dw.com/nicosweg · @deutschlernen_dw
Easy German — Super Easy German
YouTube · Street Interviews
Real people speaking real German — filmed on location. "Super Easy German" series covers A1–A2. Dual-language subtitles (German + English). Excellent for listening comprehension and natural German.
@EasyGerman
Deutsch Eins (Clara)
YouTube · Immersive A1/A2
Immersive German-only teaching. Clear enunciation, diverse topics. Good for learners who want to push into full German immersion from early on.
@DeutschEins
💻 Free Websites & Interactive Platforms
Deutsche Welle — Deutschkurse
Website · Free Full Course
DW's online German course for absolute beginners. Accompanies the Nicos Weg series. Grammar explanations, vocabulary exercises, interactive tasks. 100% free.
dw.com/german-courses
Lingolia German
Website · Grammar Exercises
Best free grammar exercise site. Clear explanations + online exercises with instant feedback. Covers every A1 grammar topic. English interface.
deutsch.lingolia.com/en
GermanPod101
Website + App · Audio Lessons
Free access to many lessons including a comprehensive A1 audio course. Podcast-style dialogues with explanations. Great for commuting study.
germanpod101.com
Nicos Weg Website (DW)
Website · Companion to YouTube
Online interactive exercises, vocab lists, grammar notes, and transcripts for every Nicos Weg episode. Download worksheets as PDF for offline study.
dw.com/nicosweg
Conjuguemos / Schubert Verlag
Website · Grammar Drills
Free German grammar exercises at schubert-verlag.de — articles, conjugation, cases, prepositions. Excellent for drilling weak grammar points.
schubert-verlag.de
📱 Apps (to supplement your existing Memrise + Duolingo)
Anki
App · Flashcard SRS
Free spaced-repetition flashcard system. Download pre-made German A1 decks or create your own. More powerful than Memrise for custom vocabulary review.
Free · ankiweb.net
Clozemaster
App · Context Vocabulary
Vocab in context — fill-in-the-blank sentences. Much better than word-list memorisation. Free tier covers A1–A2. Pairs perfectly with Duolingo.
clozemaster.com
HelloTalk / Tandem
App · Language Exchange
Find German native speakers who want to learn your language. Text/voice chat for free. Invaluable for practicing the Speaking exam format informally before test day.
hellotalk.com · tandem.net
Speechling
App · Speaking + Pronunciation
Record yourself speaking German phrases and get feedback from native speakers. Free tier available. Excellent for pronunciation correction before the speaking exam.
speechling.com
💬 Communities & Support
r/German (Reddit)
Community · Q&A
Large, helpful community. Excellent wiki with A1 resources. Post questions about grammar, search for "Goethe A1" for exam tips from successful test-takers.
reddit.com/r/german
r/LearnGerman (Reddit)
Community · Learner Support
Specifically for learners. Find study partners, share practice writing for feedback, and find motivation in a community of people at your level.
reddit.com/r/learngerman
iTalki Community
Platform · Optional Tutoring
If you want occasional feedback, community tutors on iTalki can do 1-hour A1 conversation practice sessions. Some community members offer free language exchange.
italki.com
Milestones &
Self-Assessment System
Use this checkpoint system to objectively measure your readiness. Do not book the exam until you have cleared Milestone 4. Track your performance honestly — these are the same standards the examiner will use.
1
✅ Milestone 1 — End of Week 2
Foundation check: Can you do all of these from memory?
- Recite the German alphabet and spell your full name
- Count from 0–100 without pausing
- Give a 60-second self-introduction (Name, Age, City, Country, Language, Job, Hobby)
- Conjugate sein, haben, and 3 regular verbs (machen, lernen, wohnen) fully
- Name 20 nouns with the correct article (der/die/das)
- Answer Wo wohnst du? Woher kommst du? Wie alt bist du? Wie heißt du?
2
✅ Milestone 2 — End of Week 4
Intermediate check: Grammar and everyday communication.
- Correctly use Nominative AND Accusative articles in 10 sentences
- Form 5 sentences with modal verbs (können, müssen, möchten)
- Tell the time in 5 different ways (um drei Uhr, halb vier, Viertel nach zwei…)
- Describe your daily routine in 8+ sentences
- Ask for directions in a dialogue (right, left, straight, train station)
- Complete Goethe mock Reading Teil 1 (True/False emails) with 3/5 correct
3
✅ Milestone 3 — End of Week 6 (First Full Mock Exam)
Exam readiness check: Take a complete timed mock (Goethe Modellsatz or Practice Set 01).
- Score 26+ points out of 45 written (≥58%) on mock exam
- Complete Writing Teil 2 in under 10 minutes with all 3 points addressed
- Use Perfekt tense (haben/sein + past participle) correctly in 5 sentences
- Speak all 3 parts of the Speaking exam out loud without stopping (record it)
- Understand 60%+ of a Nicos Weg episode without subtitles
- Write a 30-word email from a prompt in under 8 minutes
4
🎯 Milestone 4 — Exam Ready (End of Week 7–8)
Only book the exam when you consistently achieve ALL of these:
- Score 40+/60 on 2 different timed full mock exams (written sections)
- Complete the Speaking introduction without looking at notes
- Spell your name, city, and street name correctly letter-by-letter in German
- Dictate a 10-digit phone number in German without hesitation
- Correctly identify all 15 listening questions in a mock (or close to it)
- Write a grammatically sound 30-word message in under 7 minutes
- Review the full official Goethe A1 vocabulary list and know 80%+ of words
📊 Mock Exam Scoring Guide: Written mock max = 45 points (Listening 15 + Reading 15 + Writing 15). Speaking = 15 points (assessed by examiner). If your written mock score is consistently 30+/45, you are on track for an overall passing score of 36/60.
📅 Weekly Self-Check Questions
Ask yourself these every Sunday:
- What grammar topic was hardest this week?
- Which vocabulary theme do I still confuse?
- Did I practice speaking aloud every day?
- Did I write at least 3 practice texts this week?
- Have I reviewed this week's Anki/Memrise cards?
- What's my plan for improvement next week?
📋 Free Mock Exam Sources
Practice under real exam conditions:
- Goethe Modellsatz — Official model paper + audio
- Goethe Practice Set 01 — Free PDF + audio
- Goethe Practice Set 02 — Free PDF + audio
- Online Interactive Training — goethe.de
- ASAP German — Free solved sample paper with video
- Language Pantheon — Pattern breakdowns with examples
Exam Preparation
Tips & Strategies
The Goethe A1 exam is designed to be fair and accessible. These strategies are drawn from real test-taker experiences and official guidance. Apply them consistently in your mock practice so they become automatic on test day.
Listening: Read First, Listen Second
Before the audio starts, read the question and all 3 options carefully. Underline keywords. Then listen specifically for those keywords — don't try to understand everything. In Teil 2, note numbers and times immediately.
Reading: Scan, Don't Translate
You don't need to understand every word. Scan for the specific information being asked. In notice-matching tasks, underline keywords in the situation description, then find the same concept (even if paraphrased) in the notices.
Writing: 3 Points = 3 Sentences
For Teil 2, one sentence per bullet point is enough. Start with your greeting, write one sentence for each of the 3 prompts, add a closing line. Don't overthink it — clear and correct beats complex and wrong.
Form Filling: Copy Exactly
In Writing Teil 1, copy information from the text word-for-word. Do not write from memory or guess. Check: are you writing the person's info, not your own? This is a common error that costs points.
Speaking: Full Sentences Always
Never answer with just one word. "Berlin" → ❌. "Ich wohne in Berlin." → ✅. The examiner is assessing your ability to construct sentences, not just recall vocabulary. A small grammar error is fine — silence or single words are not.
Spelling Drill: Know Your Alphabet Cold
The examiner WILL ask you to spell something (your name, address, email). Practice saying each German letter aloud daily: "A-B-C-D..." Don't get caught off guard. Also practice number strings (phone numbers, zip codes) in German.
Time Management: 25/20 Split
Reading + Writing share 45 minutes. Aim for 25 min Reading and 20 min Writing. If you finish Reading early, move on to Writing. Don't leave blank answers — a guess is better than nothing since there's no penalty for wrong answers.
Speaking: Help Your Partner
In group speaking, if your partner struggles, you can gently help — this shows communicative ability. The exam rewards natural interaction. Ask your partner to repeat with "Bitte noch einmal?" if you don't understand.
Answer Paper: Transfer Carefully
All written answers go on a separate answer sheet (except Speaking). Don't rush this transfer. Make sure your answers match the correct question numbers. Budget 2 minutes at the end to double-check.
Watch the Official Speaking Video
The Goethe-Institut has a free 14-minute video of a real A1 speaking exam on their website and YouTube. Watch it at least 3 times. Understanding what "normal" looks like eliminates exam-day surprises.
Calm Confidence = Higher Marks
Examiners at A1 are forgiving and encouraging. Mistakes are expected at beginner level. A confident, communicative candidate who makes small errors outperforms an anxious candidate who says nothing. Keep going — don't freeze.
What to Bring on Exam Day
Official photo ID (passport/Ausweis), exam confirmation letter/email, 2 pens (blue or black ink). Arrive 15 min early. No phone in the exam room. No dictionary. Eat a good breakfast — the exam takes ~2 hours total.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- In Writing Teil 1: Writing your own information instead of the person in the text
- In Listening Teil 2: Missing announcements because you weren't ready (audio plays only once)
- In Speaking: Answering with single words instead of full sentences
- Running out of time: Don't spend more than 3 minutes on any single Reading question
- Writing Teil 2: Addressing only 1 or 2 of the 3 required bullet points
🇩🇪 One Final Note — For Your Life in Germany: The A1 certificate proves basic communication ability, but your real learning doesn't stop there. Start using German in Germany from Day 1 — greet shopkeepers in German, order food in German, read signs around you. Every real interaction reinforces what you've studied and accelerates your path to A2 and beyond. Viel Erfolg! 🎓