The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is a modular exam. It's broken into four parts that test your core language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You can take all four modules at once, or take them individually at different times. Each one is scored separately, giving you a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses.

The reading module tests your ability to understand a variety of German texts, from blog posts and emails to newspaper articles and formal instructions. You’ll need to grasp main ideas, important details, and viewpoints.

You have 65 minutes to complete all five parts of this section.

This module measures how well you understand spoken German in different contexts. You’ll hear short announcements, a radio interview, and everyday conversations. The recordings are played only once, except for the first and last parts which are played twice.

The entire listening section takes about 40 minutes.

Here, you'll show that you can write for different purposes. The tasks involve composing personal and formal emails and writing a public comment, like for an online forum. The focus is on communicating your ideas clearly and correctly.

You have 60 minutes for the three writing tasks.

The speaking module is usually done with a partner and is evaluated by two examiners. It tests your ability to introduce yourself, discuss a topic, and plan something together. The goal is to interact naturally and respond spontaneously.

This section lasts about 15 minutes, with a 15-minute preparation period beforehand for parts 2 and 3.

Each of the four modules is worth a maximum of 100 points. To pass a module, you need to score at least 60 points, which is 60%.

Your final grade is based on the total score from all four modules:

Now that you understand the blueprint of the exam, you can begin to prepare more effectively for each section.