German A1 exam - what it is for and which certificate is accepted
A1 is the beginner level and, for most people who sit it, a visa requirement rather than a language goal - German missions ask for proof of simple German before issuing a spouse visa, and an A1 certificate is what satisfies it.
Exams
Why most people take A1
A1 is the first CEFR level: introducing yourself, asking and answering simple questions about everyday life, understanding slow clear speech on familiar topics.
Very few people sit it out of general interest. The dominant reason is family reunification - German missions require proof of simple German before issuing a spouse visa, and an A1 certificate is the standard proof. That makes it a procedural exam, and the questions that matter are practical: which certificate is accepted, where to sit it, how soon, and whether the requirement applies to you at all.
Before booking anything, confirm the requirement with the mission handling your case. Exemptions exist, they are decided individually, and an exam fee is not refundable.
What the exam looks like
Every A1 exam covers the same four skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - in roughly 80 minutes, with the speaking part taken in a small group.
The vocabulary is small and predictable: personal details, family, housing, shopping, times and dates, simple directions. The grammar covers present tense, basic word order, and the distinction between wo, woher and wohin.
Two things cause more trouble than the grammar. Numbers, which German says in reverse order (einundzwanzig for 21) and which appear in nearly every listening task. And spelling your name aloud, which the speaking part asks for and which almost nobody practises.
Choosing a certificate
telc Deutsch A1 and the Goethe-Institut's Start Deutsch 1 test the same level and were developed jointly; both are accepted. The practical choice is which exam centre is closer, cheaper and has an earlier date - the certificate does not record where you sat it.
If you are already in Germany, telc centres are usually nearer. If you are abroad, a Goethe institute is often easier to find.
Preparing
At this level the written sections respond quickly to drilling, because the material is finite. Speaking is the part people underprepare, since a conversation cannot be rehearsed alone - and it is worth practising aloud rather than silently, because the exam asks you to produce sound, not recognise it.
Frequently asked questions
Which A1 certificate is accepted for a German spouse visa?
Certificates from recognised providers, including telc Deutsch A1 and the Goethe-Institut's Start Deutsch 1. Requirements vary by nationality and by individual circumstance, so confirm with the German mission handling your application before you pay for an exam.
How long does it take to reach A1?
Usually 80 to 200 hours, depending on your first language and whether the Latin alphabet is new to you. An intensive course typically covers it in six to eight weeks.
Can the A1 requirement be waived?
In some cases - for example where the sponsor holds certain nationalities, where the applicant has a recognised university degree, or where illness or disability makes learning impossible. These are decided case by case by the mission, so ask before assuming either way.
What does an A1 exam cost?
Roughly €80 to €150, varying by provider and centre. Outside Germany prices differ more widely because they reflect local costs.
Not sure which one to sit?
Try a full simulation of any exam here for free and see where you stand before you pay a registration fee.