· 8 min read
German Language Test: Goethe or TestDaF?
By Language Lab editorial team
The main German language tests compared: Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2 and TestDaF. Levels, B1 exam timings, the 60% pass mark, results and which one to take.
Two widely used German language tests are the Goethe-Zertifikat and TestDaF. The Goethe-Institut offers one exam for each level from A1 to C2, used as proof of German for visas, professional recognition and university registration. Its B1 exam has four modules, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, and you pass a module with 60 points out of 100. TestDaF is built for university entry: it reports a level of TDN 3, 4 or 5 in each of four components, and TDN 4 in all four admits you to almost all study programmes. A TestDaF certificate is valid indefinitely, and results come 6 weeks after the exam. Check which one your application names before you book.
The two tests at a glance
| Goethe-Zertifikat | TestDaF | |
|---|---|---|
| Levels | One exam per level, A1 to C2 | One test reporting TDN 3, 4 or 5, in the range from B2 to C1 |
| Main use | Visa procedures, professional recognition, university registration | Admission to German universities |
| Result | Pass or fail; at B1, each module is passed at 60 points | A TDN level for each of four components |
| Where | Goethe-Institutes and exam partners in Germany and worldwide | About 500 test centres in almost 100 countries |
| Scale | 1.1 million exams taken in 2025 | More than 50,000 test takers a year |
Goethe-Zertifikat: one exam per level
The Goethe-Institut's exams follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 for beginners to C2, the highest level. There are six certificates: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. They can be taken in Germany and worldwide, and are administered and marked to uniform standards. The institute also offers Goethe-Test PRO, which spans A1 to C2, and a B2 version for nursing.
- Recognised: valued internationally as proof of German for the visa process, professional recognition or university admission.
- Modular from B1 to C2: the listening, reading, writing and speaking modules can be taken and certified individually or together.
- Digital: the digital exams are taken and marked on a laptop at a Goethe-Institut.
- Verifiable: a certificate's authenticity can be checked online.
Inside the Goethe-Zertifikat B1
B1 is a very common target: 461,000 of the 1.1 million Goethe exams in 2025 were B1. The exam for adults and young learners has four modules, which you can take separately or together.
| Module | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Written, taken in a group | 65 minutes |
| Listening | Written, taken in a group | Approximately 40 minutes |
| Writing | Written, taken in a group | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | Oral, generally in pairs | Approximately 15 minutes, after 15 minutes of preparation |
The three written modules take approximately 165 minutes in total without breaks. A module is passed with at least 60 points, or 60%. A score of 59 or below is a fail, and the lowest passing band, 60 to 69, is graded pass. Because the modules are certified individually, you can retake only the one you failed.
What the levels mean
| Level | The Goethe-Institut's description |
|---|---|
| A1 | Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases |
| A2 | Communicate in routine situations requiring a simple and direct exchange of information |
| B1 | Deal with everyday situations likely to arise at work, school or in leisure settings |
| B2 | Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party |
| C1 | Use the language effectively and flexibly for personal, academic and professional purposes |
| C2 | Understand with ease virtually everything heard or read |
TestDaF: the university test
TestDaF describes itself as the most important language test for international students who need to prove their German. It does not give one overall grade. You receive a TestDaF level, TDN 3, TDN 4 or TDN 5, for each of four components, and the levels sit in the B2 to C1 range of the CEFR.
- TDN 4 in all four components: you are admitted to almost all study programmes. Very few master's programmes ask for more.
- Mixed results: some institutions accept a TDN 3 if it is balanced by a TDN 5.
- Lower results: for many programmes even 4 x TDN 3 is sufficient.
- Validity: the certificate is valid indefinitely.
- Recognition: TestDaF says it is accepted by all institutions of higher education.
- Results: visible in the test takers' portal 6 weeks after the exam day.
TestDaF's advice is to find out as early as possible what your chosen study programme requires, because the answer decides how much preparation you need.
Which one should you take?
- For a visa or residence procedure: a Goethe-Zertifikat at the level named in the requirement.
- For professional recognition: a Goethe-Zertifikat at the level your regulator asks for.
- For a German university: TestDaF, aiming at TDN 4 in all four components, or a Goethe-Zertifikat at the level the university accepts.
- If you are not sure of your level: take a placement test first. Deutsche Welle offers one free of charge.
- In every case: confirm with the authority, employer or university which certificate it accepts before you pay.
How to prepare
- Use the official practice material. The Goethe-Institut publishes free practice material for each exam.
- Practise each module separately, since each is marked and passed on its own.
- For speaking, practise with a partner: the B1 speaking module is normally taken in pairs.
- Test yourself instead of rereading. A 2013 review of learning research rated practice testing and spaced practice as the most effective study techniques.
- Use free daily material: Deutsche Welle's courses run from A1 to C1, and the Goethe-Institut's Deutsch für dich community has more than 260 free exercises.
Speaking is the module learners practise least. Language Lab's German course is built around voiced real-life scenarios with an AI tutor, which gives you spoken practice between lessons.
Frequently asked
What is the official German language test?
Two widely used ones are the Goethe-Institut's certificates, one for each level from A1 to C2, and TestDaF, which is designed for admission to German universities.
What is the pass mark for the Goethe B1 exam?
Each module is passed with at least 60 points, or 60%. The exam has four modules, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, which can be taken and certified individually.
How long is the Goethe B1 exam?
The three written modules take approximately 165 minutes in total: Reading 65 minutes, Listening approximately 40 minutes and Writing 60 minutes. Speaking takes approximately 15 minutes in pairs, after 15 minutes of preparation.
What TestDaF score do I need for a German university?
TDN 4 in all four components admits you to almost all study programmes. Some institutions accept a TDN 3 balanced by a TDN 5, and for many programmes lower results are sufficient. Check your programme's requirement.
How long is a TestDaF certificate valid?
Indefinitely, according to TestDaF.
How long do TestDaF results take?
You can see your results in the test takers' portal 6 weeks after the exam day. The printed certificate comes from your test centre.
Can I retake only part of a Goethe exam?
Yes, from B1 to C2. Those certificates are modular, so the listening, reading, writing and speaking modules can be taken and certified individually or combined.
Sources: Goethe-Institut, German examinations A1–C2, Levels A1–C2, Practise German for free and Goethe-Zertifikat B1 terms and conditions (1 September 2025); TestDaF-Institut, Start your studies with TestDaF; Deutsche Welle, Learn German; Dunlosky et al., Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2013. Checked on 13 October 2026. Photo: The Old Bridge gate and the Neckar, Heidelberg, Hermann Luyken / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons).
