Goethe-Institut
Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
The usual choice for visa applications at German missions abroad.
CEFR A1 · Beginner
German A1 exam preparation
A1 is the first rung of the CEFR ladder and, for a lot of people, the most important one: it is the level normally required for a spouse or family reunification visa. The good news is that A1 is a small, closed world. The vocabulary list is short, the grammar is limited, and the exam tasks repeat. With realistic practice you can be ready in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Vocabularyaround 650 words
Guided learningroughly 100–150 hours of guided learning
What A1 means in practice
The CEFR describes each level by what you can do with the language, not by how much grammar you have covered. At A1 you can:
- Introduce yourself and others, and answer questions about where you live, people you know and things you have.
- Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
- Fill in simple forms with your personal details.
- Write a short message - an invitation, an apology, a request to a neighbour.
- Interact in a simple way if the other person talks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.
The grammar A1 tests
Exam grammar is not all of German grammar. This is the syllabus worth your study time at this level:
- Present tense of regular verbs, sein, haben and the common irregular verbs
- Definite, indefinite and negative articles in nominative and accusative
- Personal pronouns and possessive articles (mein, dein, Ihr)
- Modal verbs können, müssen, möchten and the imperative for requests
- Word order in statements, W-questions and yes/no questions
- Numbers, time, dates, prices - the everyday arithmetic of the exam
Your options
Which A1 exam can you take?
All of these certify the same CEFR level. Take the one the office, school or employer asking for it accepts.
telc
telc Deutsch A1
Widely offered inside Germany at Volkshochschulen and language schools.
What a A1 certificate is used for
- Spouse and family reunification visas
- Proof of a first level for au pair and vocational programmes
- Entry requirement for some A2 course places
- Personal milestone before continuing to A2
Study plan
A realistic route to A1
Assumes about an hour a day plus one full model test a week. Adjust the weeks, keep the order.
- 1
Weeks 1–2
Core vocabulary and sound
Learn the A1 word list in themed sets - personal details, family, food, shopping, time. Say every new word out loud; A1 listening is mostly recognition, and recognition comes from having said the word yourself.
- 2
Weeks 3–4
Grammar that appears in the exam
Present tense, articles in nominative and accusative, modal verbs, W-questions. Do not go further than the syllabus - A1 rewards accuracy in a small range, not ambition.
- 3
Weeks 5–6
Task types
One module per day: form-filling and short messages for Schreiben, matching tasks for Lesen, short announcements for Hören. Learn what each task is asking before you worry about speed.
- 4
Weeks 7–8
Full model tests
Two complete timed model tests per week, then review every wrong answer. Rehearse the three speaking parts out loud, including spelling your name and giving a phone number.
In the app
How PassDeutsch prepares you for A1
- A1 model tests for Goethe and telc, with all four modules
- The A1 vocabulary list with quiz, matching and fill-in-the-blank games
- Short grammar lessons covering exactly the A1 syllabus
- AI feedback on your short written messages
- AI speaking practice sessions for introductions, personal details and simple requests
- Two model tests per level free, so you can check your starting point before subscribing
FAQ
German A1 questions
How many words do I need for the German A1 exam?
The published A1 word lists contain around 650 words. That is genuinely enough for the exam - the tasks are built from that list. Learning the list properly beats learning three times as much vocabulary at random.
How long does it take to reach A1 in German?
Most course providers plan roughly 100 to 150 hours of guided learning for A1. If you study an hour a day and practise with model tests, eight to twelve weeks is a realistic target for a complete beginner.
Is A1 enough for a German spouse visa?
A1 is the level normally required to prove basic German for a spouse or family reunification visa, but requirements depend on your nationality and situation and can change. Check the current rules with the German mission handling your application.
What is the hardest part of the A1 exam?
For most candidates it is Sprechen - not because the German is hard, but because it is taken in a group and involves reacting to keyword cards. Practising out loud, including spelling and numbers, removes almost all of that difficulty.
Keep reading
German A2 guideGerman B1 guideGoethe-Institut A1telc Deutsch A1DTZ A1A1 for a spouse visaHow many words do you need?
PassDeutsch is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH, the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF), or any official examination body. Goethe-Zertifikat, telc Deutsch and DTZ are trademarks of their respective owners. Exam formats and requirements can change - always confirm the current specification with your test centre before booking.
Sit a free A1 model test
Download PassDeutsch, take a complete timed test in your exam format, and see your score per module.
Free to download · All 210 model tests included · No card required