German exam preparation - pick your exam and start practising
There is no single "German exam" - telc, Goethe, TestDaF, DSH and ÖSD all certify German. Find the one your authority, employer or university asks for, then prepare for it under real exam conditions.
- Real exam formatSame sections, same timing, same task types as the official paper.
- AI scoringWriting and speaking assessed against the official criteria, with specifics on what to fix.
- Practice by partDrill one section at a time instead of always sitting the full exam.
- Progress trackingSee which sections are ready and which still cost you points.
Choose the exam you are preparing for
Every exam below is accepted by German authorities at its CEFR level. Pick the one your employer, university or immigration office asks for.
- telc Deutsch A1Real exam format · Practice modeComing soonResidence permit
- telc Deutsch B1Real exam format · Practice modeAvailable nowWorkResidence permit
- telc Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2Real exam format · Practice modeAvailable nowWorkUniversityResidence permit
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1Real exam format · Practice modeComing soonResidence permitCitizenship
Start with who is asking
The most common mistake is choosing an exam before checking who wants the certificate. The requirement almost always names a level and sometimes a specific exam, and those are different constraints.
- Immigration authorities (residence permit, naturalisation) ask for a level, usually B1, and accept several exams.
- Universities usually name specific exams - TestDaF, DSH or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule - and a general C1 certificate may not qualify.
- Employers and chambers vary widely. Regulated professions such as nursing and medicine often require B2 or C1 with a job-specific variant.
Ask for the exact wording of the requirement before booking anything. An exam fee is €130-260 and non-refundable.
The providers
telc is the most widespread exam network inside Germany, with the largest number of centres and the widest range of job-specific variants (Beruf, Pflege, Medizin). It also runs the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer used by integration courses.
Goethe-Institut is the best-known German certificate internationally and the most commonly recognised outside Germany. It covers A1 to C2.
TestDaF and DSH exist specifically for university admission. TestDaF is offered on fixed dates worldwide; DSH is set by individual universities and is usually taken at the university you are applying to.
ÖSD is the Austrian equivalent, recognised in Germany and Austria, and often easier to book in Central and Eastern Europe.
What actually decides the result
Across every provider and level, the same two sections cost candidates the most marks: writing and speaking. They are the only parts scored by a human against criteria rather than an answer key, and the only parts that are hard to practise alone.
That is what the simulator is built around - it runs the full exam under real timing, then scores writing and speaking against the same criteria the examiners use, and tells you which criterion cost you the points.
Frequently asked questions
Which German exam do I need for a residence permit?
For a German permanent residence permit you normally need B1. Both telc Deutsch B1 and Goethe-Zertifikat B1 are accepted, as is the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer at B1 level. For naturalisation, B1 is also the standard requirement.
Is telc or Goethe better?
Neither is better - they certify the same CEFR levels and are equally recognised by German authorities. Goethe is more widely known outside Germany, telc has more exam centres inside Germany and more job-specific variants. Choose by format preference and by which centre is closest.
Which German exam do universities accept?
German universities usually require TestDaF, DSH, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. A general C1 certificate is often not enough on its own - check the specific requirement of the university and programme, because they differ.
How long does it take to get from A1 to B1?
Roughly 350 to 600 hours of guided learning, depending on your first language and how much you practise outside class. Speakers of other Germanic languages usually reach it faster. Intensive courses compress this into a few months; evening courses typically take a year or more.
Do German certificates expire?
The certificates themselves do not expire. But the authority asking for one may set its own limit - some employers and universities will not accept a certificate older than two years. The document stays valid; its acceptance is what varies.