Goethe Test Center

Goethe Exams are a good way to assess your German skills, be it for personal or for professional reasons.

The GAI offers preparatory seminars and/or private tutoring for those seeking extra instruction before taking any of the Goethe Institut tests listed below. Tests will be conducted once a year on site at the GAI. Prices and dates vary, however, please contact us if you need to take a test outside the listed testing dates. The times and dates of the exam and seminars will be posted on our website, or contact
Language Services for further information.

Start 1

(Completion of the first two levels of GAI language instruction recommended)

If you are planning on moving to Germany to your spouse, together with your spouse or in order to get married to your spouse, since October 1, 2007 you are required by German law to provide evidence of basic German language competence. As a resident of the United States or Canada, this means for you that passing the Goethe Exam “Start Deutsch 1”is required. Basic language competence can be demonstrated by conducting basic communication in German, such as introducing yourself, asking for directions, going shopping, etc. For further information, please check out the website of the German Government where brochures in many languages are available.

Nachweis einfacher Deutschkenntnisse beim Ehegattennachzug aus dem Ausland

B-1 Zertifikat Deutsch

The ZD has significance due to its worldwide acceptance. Highly regarded by employers in both the private and public sectors as proof of basic knowledge of the German language, it is recognized in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland as satisfying the language requirements of a Fachhochschule (technical secondary school) and for the attainment of German citizenship.

Candidates must possess a sound basic knowledge of the language and demonstrate the ability to communicate in both oral and written everyday situations. Examination components consist of reading and listening comprehension, grammatical structures and vocabulary, letter writing, and an oral interview.

Successful completion of the G-series at the GAI prepares students to pass the ZD exam.

B-2 and C-1 (formerly Mittelstufenprüfung)

Wer diese weltweit anerkannten Zertifikate nachweisen kann, hat bei einer Stellensuche in deutschsprachigen Ländern Vorteile. Kandidaten dieser beiden Prüfungen müssen sich in gesprochenem und geschriebenem Standarddeutsch im Zusammenhang mit anspruchsvollen Themen fließend ausdrücken können sowie einen authentischen Text von mittlerem Schwierigkeitsgrad ohne zusätzliche Lernhilfen durcharbeiten können. Die Prüfungen bestehen aus einer Überprüfung des Lese-und Hörverständnisses, sowie geschriebenenen Kurzreferaten und einer kurzen mündlichen Prüfung.