Goethe-Zertifikat A2 & telc Deutsch A2 — Exam Format
The Goethe and telc A2 exams share the same CEFR A2 standard and identical four-section structure. Texts are longer than A1, writing is free-form, and Sprechen is done in pairs.
Hören (Listening)
30 min25 pts4 parts, 20 items: announcements, short dialogues, radio interviews. Mehrfachauswahl, Zuordnen, Richtig/Falsch.
Lesen (Reading)
30 min25 pts4 parts, 20 items: news article, information board, correspondence, ad matching.
Schreiben (Writing)
30 min25 pts2 free-writing tasks: a personal message and a semi-formal message.
Sprechen (Speaking)
15 min / pair25 pts3 parts in pairs: exchange info, give details about your life, and plan something together.
How Passing the A2 Exam Works
You need at least 60 of 100 points across all four sections combined. There's no per-section minimum — stronger sections can compensate for weaker ones.
Grades: 90–100 Sehr gut · 80–89 Gut · 70–79 Befriedigend · 60–69 Ausreichend · <60 Nicht bestanden
Goethe A2 vs telc A2 vs ÖSD A2 — Which Exam Should You Take?
All three boards test the same CEFR A2 standard and are equally accepted by German authorities (BAMF, Ausländerbehörde) for visa, settlement, and Daueraufenthalt-EU applications. The difference is availability, cost, and international recognition.
Goethe-Zertifikat A2
Goethe A2
- checkMost internationally recognised — accepted by every German consulate
- checkHeld at Goethe-Institut centres in 100+ countries
- checkSame exam content worldwide; identical scoring
- checkStrongest choice if you live outside Germany
telc Deutsch A2
telc A2
- checkWidely available at Volkshochschulen across Germany
- checkOften cheaper and easier to book than Goethe
- checkIdentical CEFR A2 standard — same skills tested
- checkAccepted for Daueraufenthalt-EU and integration paths
ÖSD Zertifikat A2
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom
- checkAustrian board — equally valid for German authorities
- checkUseful if you live near an ÖSD test centre
- checkCEFR A2 standard, same as Goethe & telc
- checkRecognised by BAMF and Ausländerbehörden
A2 Sample Paper (Modellsatz) — What to Expect
The official Goethe-Institut A2 Modellsatz and telc A2 Übungstest are full-length sample papers covering every section. Our free A2 mock test mirrors that exact format with instant scoring.
- check_circleAll four sections in real exam order — Hören, Lesen, Schreiben, Sprechen
- check_circleIdentical task types: matching, multiple choice, free-writing messages
- check_circleReal-time timer per section, just like the live A2 exam
- check_circleAnswer key + section-level scoring after submission
What's Tested in the Deutsch A2 Exam
More than A1 — but still practical, everyday German. You should be able to talk about yourself, your environment, and common situations with simple but clear language.
Good to Know
Sprechen is in pairs — you and another candidate complete tasks together. Practise reacting naturally to prompts, not reciting memorised phrases. Examiners want to hear real, spontaneous language.
Who Needs the A2 Exam? Daueraufenthalt-EU, PR & Settlement Paths
The standard Niederlassungserlaubnis (§ 9 AufenthG) needs B1. But several PR-tier permits explicitly accept A2 as the language threshold. If you're on one of these paths, A2 is your finish line.
Daueraufenthalt-EU
§ 9a AufenthGLong-term EU resident permit — A2 German is the official language threshold.
Niederlassungserlaubnis for children
§ 35 AufenthGChildren who turned 18 holding a residence permit can convert to settlement permit with A2.
Family of skilled workers / Blue Card
§ 30 / § 18 AufenthGSpouses joining EU Blue Card or skilled-worker holders often need A2, depending on configuration.
Settlement permit for refugees
§ 26 (3) AufenthGRecognised refugees can apply for permanent settlement after 3 years with A2 instead of the usual B1.
Always verify your specific case with your Ausländerbehörde — exact requirements can vary by Bundesland and personal situation.
Residency Ladder — Where A2 Fits
A2 sits in the middle of the language ladder. A1 is behind you (or skippable); B1 + Leben in Deutschland are ahead for citizenship.
Tap A1 to revisit the previous level or LiD for the citizenship civics test.
How to Prepare for the A2 German Exam
Three steps from A1 foundations to A2-ready — typically 6–10 weeks at a moderate pace.
Build Your A2 Vocabulary
Go beyond greetings — learn words for everyday situations: at the doctor, on public transport, in the workplace. Aim for ~1,500 core words.
Practise Each Section
Work through Hören, Lesen, Schreiben, and Sprechen one at a time. Learn the format for each task type before attempting a full mock.
Take a Full A2 Mock Exam
Simulate the real Deutsch A2 exam under timed conditions. Identify weak spots and focus your revision on them. Repeat until you consistently hit 60%.
Deutsch A2 Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Goethe A2 / telc A2 / ÖSD A2 exam, costs, scoring, and how A2 fits into the path to permanent residency.
What is the Deutsch A2 exam?expand_more
The Deutsch A2 exam certifies CEFR level A2 — you can handle routine everyday tasks, talk about your background, and write short connected texts. The main boards are Goethe-Zertifikat A2, telc Deutsch A2, and ÖSD Zertifikat A2, all equally accepted by German authorities.
How long is the Goethe A2 / telc A2 exam?expand_more
About 105 minutes total: Hören 30 min, Lesen 30 min, Schreiben 30 min (90 min written) plus a 15-minute Sprechen section conducted live in pairs with another candidate.
What score do you need to pass A2?expand_more
You need 60 out of 100 points overall, with all four sections counting equally (25 points each). There's no per-section minimum — strong sections can compensate for weaker ones, as long as you clear 60 total.
How much does the A2 exam cost?expand_more
Goethe-Zertifikat A2 costs around €110, telc Deutsch A2 around €100, and ÖSD Zertifikat A2 around €110. Prices vary by country and test centre. Repeat attempts cost the same as the first.
Is A2 a requirement for permanent residency (PR) in Germany?expand_more
It depends which permit you're applying for. The standard Niederlassungserlaubnis (§ 9 AufenthG) requires B1. But A2 is the language threshold for Daueraufenthalt-EU (§ 9a — the long-term EU residence permit), for § 35 conversions for children, for refugee settlement (§ 26 (3)) after 3 years, and for many spouse-of-skilled-worker configurations.
Goethe A2 vs telc A2 — which should I take?expand_more
Both are identical in CEFR standard, format, and authority acceptance. Choose Goethe for maximum international recognition or if you live outside Germany. Choose telc if it's easier to book at your local Volkshochschule or noticeably cheaper. The exams are equivalently difficult.
What's the difference between A1 and A2?expand_more
A1 covers basic personal phrases — name, family, where you live. A2 expects routine communication: shopping, transport, work, simple opinions, short narratives in the past tense. Texts are longer, writing tasks are open-ended (not just fill-in), and the speaking section is in pairs rather than 1:1 with an examiner.
Can I take the A2 exam without passing A1 first?expand_more
Yes — the levels are independent certificates. You can sit A2 directly. But if you're applying for a visa that accepts A1, taking A1 first is usually cheaper and faster. Many learners go straight to A2 if they already have ~150 hours of German.
Where can I find an official A2 sample paper (Modellsatz)?expand_more
Goethe-Institut publishes a free A2 Modellsatz PDF on goethe.de; telc publishes an A2 Übungstest at telc.net. Both include all four sections with answer keys. GetGermanReady's free A2 mock test mirrors this exact format with instant section-level scoring.
Is the Sprechen (speaking) section in pairs?expand_more
Yes — A2 Sprechen is done with another candidate. You and your partner take turns asking and answering questions, then plan something together (e.g. organising a birthday party). Practising spontaneous reactions matters more than memorising scripts; examiners are checking for natural exchange.
What's Next After A2?
If you're aiming for the standard Niederlassungserlaubnis or citizenship, your next milestones are B1 + the Leben in Deutschland civics test. If you started here, revisit A1 to plug any foundational gaps.
Deutsch B1 Exam Guide
The language threshold for German citizenship and the standard Niederlassungserlaubnis. Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is modular — you can sit each section separately.
Leben in Deutschland (LiD) Test
Practise all 310 official BAMF questions — the civics exam paired with B1 for citizenship and most settlement permits.
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