What is the LiD test (Leben in Deutschland)?

The Leben in Deutschland (LiD) test is the official German citizenship and naturalization exam administered by BAMF. It consists of 310 questions covering democracy, history, law, society, and geography. The actual exam draws 33 questions randomly from the pool.

How many questions are in the LiD Einbürgerungstest?

The official pool has 310 questions: 300 general and 10 state-specific per federal state. The exam you sit has 33 questions — 30 from the general pool and 3 specific to your state.

What score do you need to pass the LiD test?

You need at least 17 out of 33 correct (approximately 51%) to pass the Leben in Deutschland Einbürgerungstest.

How long does it take to prepare for the LiD Einbürgerungstest?

Most people prepare for 4–8 weeks. The BAMF integration course covers the material, but self-study using all 310 official questions — grouped by topic — is the most effective approach. Practising timed 33-question mock tests in the final week helps build exam confidence.

What happens if you fail the LiD test?

You can retake the LiD Einbürgerungstest. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts. The BAMF test centre will schedule a new date for you.

Is the LiD test the same as the A1, A2, or B1 German language test?

No. The LiD test is a civics exam about German society, history, and law. A1, A2, and B1 tests measure German language proficiency. B1 German is a separate prerequisite for citizenship alongside the LiD test.

Who needs the German A1 language test?

The A1 exam is required for family reunification and spouse visas (§ 30 AufenthG). It covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The exam lasts 65 minutes and requires 60% (36/60 points) to pass.

Is there a free A1 German mock test online?

Yes — you can try A1 for free. GetGermanReady includes a free taster across A1–B1 (one full mock exam plus five individual sections), in the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 and telc Deutsch A1 format with all four sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Full unlimited A1 access is a one-time €4.99.

Is there a free A2 German mock test online?

Yes — a free A2 taster is included in the A1–B1 free allowance (one full mock exam plus five sections), covering reading (notices, advertisements), writing, listening and speaking in the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 and telc Deutsch A2 format. Full A2 access is a one-time €4.99.

What German language level is needed for citizenship?

German citizenship (Einbürgerung) requires B1 German language level. This can be demonstrated via a Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or ÖSD Zertifikat B1. You must also pass the LiD Einbürgerungstest separately.

What does the A2 German exam test?

The A2 exam tests understanding of sentences about familiar topics, communication in routine situations, and describing immediate environment. It covers reading (signs, emails, notices), writing (short messages), listening (announcements, conversations), and speaking (describing yourself and daily life).

What topics does the LiD test cover?

The Leben in Deutschland Einbürgerungstest covers three official BAMF Themenbereiche (topic areas) of 100 questions each: (1) Politik in der Demokratie — democracy, rights, elections, rule of law; (2) Geschichte und Verantwortung — German history, National Socialism, post-war development; (3) Mensch und Gesellschaft — society, integration, religion, family. Plus 10 questions specific to your federal state, for a total of 310 questions in the pool.

Help Center

Answers to common questions, plus a contact form when you need a human. We typically reply within two business days.

Frequently asked questions

How do the daily exams work?

A fresh A1, A2 or B1 mock exam is generated every day. For free, you can take 1 mock exam and 5 practice sections in total (across all levels) as a taster; if you finish part of an exam, your progress is saved and you can come back any time to complete the rest.

What's free and what costs money?

The Leben in Deutschland test and learning are free for everyone, forever. The language exams (A1–B1) include a free taster — 1 mock exam, 5 practice sections and 2 Speech Coach sessions in total — with the full AI feedback included. After that, unlock a level for a one-time €4.99 for unlimited exams, sections and Speech Coach on that level. There's no subscription.

How is my writing graded?

We use the official Goethe A1/A2 rubrics. Each essay is sent to an LLM that evaluates Task Fulfilment and Communicative Appropriateness against the bullet points you were asked to address. Off-topic answers score zero by design — the grader checks relevance before anything else.

How is my speaking graded?

Your audio is transcribed and the transcript is graded part-by-part using the same rubric an examiner would apply. Pronunciation is scored separately. You can re-read the transcript on the results page.

Where is my data stored?

On Supabase, in the EU region. Your exam answers, scores, and any audio uploaded for speaking are linked to your account. See the Privacy Policy for full details, and you can delete your account (and all associated data) from your profile page at any time.

I think a question or answer key is wrong — what do I do?

Please use the contact form below, choose 'Bug' as the subject, and include the exam date and section. We review reports weekly and patch the answer keys.

How do refunds work?

If you unlocked a level and haven't used it, email us within 14 days and we'll refund you in full.

Why can't I start a new exam?

The free taster covers 1 mock exam and 5 practice sections in total, and you can only have one exam in progress at a time. Finish or abandon the in-progress exam, or unlock the level for €4.99 to get unlimited exams and sections with no limits.

Still need help? Contact us

Or email contact@getgermanready.com directly.