German

Certificates/ Zertifikate

Anyone who wants to work or study in Germany must have a Zertifikat. For example, to work as a nanny, one needs the A1; to apply for citizenship, the B1, and to study at a German university, C1, etc.

The best time to test is after completing your last German course, when your test score is likely to be the highest.

In Oregon there are two Goethe Institute test sites: the University of Oregon and Portland State University.  Please contact them to schedule a time to take the test.

All Zertifikate are issued by the Goethe Institute and internationally recognized.  These certificates show what one knows and are required for work and study in Germany.  The following describes some of the certificates.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1:

• Demonstrates that you have successfully reached level A1 and you can:
  • understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences that aim to satisfy specific needs
  • introduce yourself and others and ask other people about themselves, e.g. where they live, who they know and what they own, and respond to these types of questions.
  • communicate in a simple manner if the person you’re speaking to talks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.
• 90 minute exam
  • Cost: apx. $100. When you pass the test, the German Club reimburses part or all.
  • Taken at end of First Year German
• Practice Materials: Accessible and interactive sample papers and self-correcting practice exercises to help you prepare online are available at:

http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/sd1/mat/enindex.htm

To reach this level, candidates need to have completed between 80 and 200 45-minute units of teaching, depending on their previous knowledge and learning requirements.

Goethe-Zertifikat A2:

• Demonstrates that you have successfully reached level A2 and you can:
  • • understand and use sentences and common expressions in everyday situations,
  • • make yourself understood in simple, routine situations demanding an exchange of information on familiar and common topics,
    • describe your background and education, immediate surroundings and other matters associated with your immediate needs in a simple way.
• 90 minute exam
  • • Cost: apx. $100. When you pass the test, the German Club reimburses part or all.
    • Taken at end of Second Year German
• Practice Materials: Accessible and interactive sample papers and self-correcting practice exercises to help you prepare online are available at:

http://bfu.goethe.de/a2_mod_2MX5/

To reach this level, candidates should have completed between 200 and 350 45-minute classes, depending on their previous knowledge and learning requirements.

Goethe-Zertifikat B1:

• Demonstrates that you have successfully reached level B1 and you can:

• • understand the main points of information in conversations and texts on familiar matters relating to work, school and leisure time, etc. when clear, standard language is used,
  • deal with most situations typically encountered when travelling in German-speaking countries,
  • express yourself simply and coherently when talking about familiar topics and areas of personal interest,
  • report on experiences and events, describe dreams, hopes and ambitions as well as make short statements and explanations.
• 90 minute exam

• • Cost: apx. $130. When you pass the test, the German Club reimburses part or all.
  • Taken at end of Third Year German
• Practice Materials: Accessible and interactive sample papers and self-correcting practice exercises to help you prepare online are available at:

http://bfu.goethe.de/b1_mod/

To reach this level, candidates need to have completed between 350 and 650 45-minute units of teaching, depending on their previous knowledge and learning requirements.

For additional test information:      https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/sfr/prf.html