Goethe-Institut New YorkGoethe-Institut
30 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2 for adults, with youth versions at A1, A2, B1 and B2; TestDaF, covering B2 to C1
North America · 6 verified centres
German exam centres in The United States
The United States has the largest Goethe exam network outside Europe. Six institutes examine directly - New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington DC - and a long list of university partners runs exams elsewhere, including Arizona State, Cornell and Indiana. Between them they cover A1 to C2 in youth and adult versions plus TestDaF.
GoetheTestDaFChecked July 2026
6 cities with a verified centre
Where to sit the exam
Exam centres in The United States
Each centre was checked on the exam board's own website. Dates and fees change, so confirm directly with the centre before you pay or travel.
German exams in New York1 centre
German exams in Boston1 centre
Goethe-Institut BostonGoethe-Institut
170 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02116
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, with youth versions up to B2; TestDaF
German exams in Chicago1 centre
Goethe-Institut ChicagoGoethe-Institut
150 N Michigan Ave, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60601
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, with youth versions up to B2; TestDaF
German exams in San Francisco1 centre
Goethe-Institut San FranciscoGoethe-Institut
657 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, with youth versions up to B2; TestDaF
German exams in Los Angeles1 centre
Goethe-Institut Los AngelesGoethe-Institut
1901 W. 7th Street, Suite A/B, Los Angeles, CA 90057
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, with youth versions up to B2; TestDaF
German exams in Washington DC1 centre
Goethe-Institut WashingtonGoethe-Institut
GoetheTestDaF
- Exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 to C2, with youth versions up to B2; TestDaF
Named by Goethe-Institut USA as an exam location. Its address page did not load for us, so confirm the venue when you register.
We do not publish individual sitting dates: they change too often to be safe. Follow the centre link for the current calendar.
Before you book
What is different about The United States
University partners cover the rest of the country
Beyond the six institutes, exams run at partner institutions including Arizona State, Cornell and Indiana University. The institute keeps that list separately, so ask before assuming you must fly to a coastal city.
A1 is the family visa level
For a German spouse or family reunion visa the requirement is normally A1, and every higher certificate is accepted in its place. Confirm with the German mission handling your file, since US-based applicants often go through a consulate rather than the embassy.
Youth versions run to B2
The USA lists youth versions at A1, A2, B1 and B2 alongside the adult ones. German is taught in many US high schools, so check which version a receiving institution wants before booking the adult exam.
TestDaF is booked centrally
All six institutes list TestDaF for university admission, but registration runs through testdaf.de rather than the institute, on six fixed dates a year with places allocated in the order they arrive.
Booked a date? Now get the score.
Sitting the exam abroad usually means one shot and a long wait for the next date. Practise in the real format first - Goethe, telc or DTZ - and let the analytics show which module still needs the weeks you have left.
FAQ
Taking a German exam in The United States
Where can I take a German exam in the USA?
At the Goethe-Instituts in New York (30 Irving Place), Boston (170 Beacon Street), Chicago (150 N Michigan Ave), San Francisco (657 Howard Street), Los Angeles (1901 W. 7th Street) and Washington DC, plus university partner centres including Arizona State, Cornell and Indiana.
Can I sit a German exam away from the big cities?
Often yes. Goethe-Institut USA runs exams at a range of university partners as well as its own six institutes, but does not list them on its main exam page. Contact the institute for the centre nearest you.
Which German exam do I need for a family visa?
Normally A1, with any higher certificate accepted instead. Confirm the current requirement in writing with the German mission handling your case - in the US that is usually a regional consulate rather than the embassy.
Is there a telc or ÖSD exam centre in the USA?
We checked telc’s own centre register and it lists none, and ÖSD publishes no register we can read. Treat that as "none found" rather than "none exists", and ask any school claiming to examine either board for its centre number.
Official directories
The exam boards maintain their own centre finders. They are the authoritative list.
Preparing for a German exam in The United States?
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