German exams · C1

Goethe-Zertifikat C1

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (new modular format; Durchführungsbestimmungen of 1 September 2023, applied to exams after. Run by Goethe-Institut; university admission at most German universities; modular since 2024.

The exam in detail

Four independent modules Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen, taken individually or in combination. The three written modules are a group exam; Sprechen is normally a pair exam (an individual exam only in exceptional cases). Offered in digital format (at the centre) or on paper, with the same standards worldwide.
Each module has a maximum of 100 points = 100 % and is passed with at least 60 points (60 %). Prädikate per module: 100-90 sehr gut, 89-80 gut, 79-70 befriedigend, 69-60 ausreichend, 59-0 nicht bestanden. Modules can be taken and repeated as often as desired, as far as the centre's capacity allows.
Lesen: 65 minutes, Teil 1-4, 30 items (forum posts, newspaper and magazine articles, commentaries, instructions; key information, details, viewpoints, opinions and rules). Each item scores 1 or 0; the checkpoints are multiplied by 3.33 and rounded to give the score out of 100 (18 of 30 = 60 = pass). Plan about 5 minutes within the exam time for transferring the answers to the Antwortbogen.
Hören: about 40 minutes, Teil 1-4, 30 items (interviews, presentations, conversations, everyday remarks, radio broadcasts; main points and key details), scored like Lesen (x 3.33); about 3 minutes within the time for the Antwortbogen.
Schreiben: 75 minutes, Teil 1-2: a forum post in which you express and justify your opinion on a current social theme, and a formal message in a professional context. Maximum 100 points; two raters score independently and the arithmetic mean is rounded to whole points; a third rating is made when one rater is below and one above 60 and the mean is below 60.
Sprechen: Teil 1-2, about 20 minutes as a pair (about 15 minutes as an individual exam) plus 20 minutes of preparation time (notes on stamped paper allowed). A short introduction of about one minute (not graded); Teil 1: each candidate gives a short Vortrag on one of two topics offered, about 7 minutes per candidate including the questions of the partner and an examiner; Teil 2: both candidates discuss a controversial topic together, about 5 minutes for both. Two examiners rate independently; maximum 100 points.
The written modules take about 180 minutes without breaks; recommended order Lesen - Hören - Schreiben with a break of at least 15 minutes between modules.
Target group: adults; a minimum age of 16 is recommended; the Goethe-Institut estimates 800-1,000 teaching units of 45 minutes to reach C1, depending on previous knowledge.

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