[Start from Zero for Free] Strategies and Tips to Efficiently Pass the Goethe A1 German Exam in 3 Weeks
Introduction
Hello! I'm Ramaway.
I'm the type of person who can't get motivated to study for a test until the very last minute...
I thought that taking the exam would help me see where I stand in a tangible way and help me build a study habit, so I
finally got off my butt and took the German Goethe exam
"Goethe-Zertifikat A1"
recently.
The results have come back, and
I managed to pass...!
I studied using free materials available for self-study
without attending any schools or using any specific reference books.
Also, since I work full-time on weekdays,I was able to pass by studying as much as I could during weekday evenings and weekends over the course of 3 weeks, so I'd like to record the measures I took.
This will be more about
exam-specific strategies rather than how much German you will be able to speak in real life.
Please note that this content is intended for those who want to
efficiently obtain the A1 certification or who have difficulty finding time to study for the exam but want to pass at all costs.
Exam Results
I scored 90 out of 100 points.
Study Time
3 weeks
Total of about 66 hours
(2 hours on weekdays, 6 hours on weekends)
Exam Overview
What is the Goethe-Zertifikat?
It is a German proficiency test.
Goethe-Zertifikatis designed to certify German as a foreign language or as a second language. It is provided by an organization called the Goethe-Institut. Since the Goethe-Institut is an organization entrusted by the Federal Republic of Germany, through the German Federal Foreign Office, with the task of promoting the German language, it can be called a quasi-official institution.
Therefore, because the Goethe exam is also compliant with the GER, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, it can be used as
official proof of German language proficiency.Examples
- Applying for a residence permit in Germany
- Enrolling in a German university
- Listing your language level in German on a resume
Goethe-Zertifikat Exam Content
The Goethe exam consists of four parts:
"Reading" (Lesen) ... 25 minutes / 25 points
"Listening" (Hören) ... 20 minutes / 25 points
"Writing" (Schreiben) ... 20 minutes / 25 points
"Speaking" (Sprechen) ... 15 minutes / 25 points
You pass with60 points or moreout of 100.
What I did for exam preparation
TUFS Language Module Grammar Experience CourseStudy through it once
Goethe exam past papersSolve 3 years' worth 3 times each & review
Oral practice for Sprechen
These are the three things.
Everything is completed online, so it wasfree.
I didn't even buy any reference books.
My thoughts after actually taking the exam
The exam questions and answer sheets are all in German, and
the listening section is also at native speed, so it is quite fast.
When I first tried solving past papers, I panicked and almost cried, thinking, '...Huh? I don't understand anything and I can't hear anything,' but I was able to pass the exam without understanding 100% of everything.
I felt that Hören (Listening) and Lesen (Reading) could be solved to some extent if you practice past papers repeatedly.
For Schreiben (Writing) and Sprechen (Speaking), I think you are evaluated on whether you are trying to communicate, even if your phrases aren't perfect.
I didn't have enough time to memorize articles, so I gave up on them lol.
I just memorized questions and vocabulary from past papers and practiced building sentences that somehow made sense.
Sprechen involves having to ask questions to other examinees, so honestly, there is a high element of luck involved. The topic and the partner...
However, I think you can clear A1 if you practice this to some extent using past papers.
Don't aim for perfection, don't stay silent, and even if you don't understand, just keep talking.
I feel like that's how you can get through it (lol).
What the actual exam is like
You head to the venue with your exam admission ticket and a stamped return envelope for your exam results.
I took the exam at the venue in Düsseldorf.
I was guided to the classroom, and seating was free.
The audio had a speaker at the front seat,
and the sound played from there,
so I think it's better to sit as close to the front as possible.
The written exam was 65 minutes,
and the time for playing the Hören section was fixed.
The time allocation for Lesen was relatively tight, but if you finish Schreiben early, you can use that time to go back to Lesen to read through it again or check your answers.
Once the written exam is completely finished, you move to a separate room.
For Sprechen, your partner was announced, and we had to wait until it was our turn.
Exam preparation methods
Reading (Lesen)
Listening (Hören)
Writing (Schreiben)
Since I started German from zero, I didn't understand grammar at all at first.
The TUFS Language Module Grammar Experience Course
was what I studied through.
After that, Goethe exam past papers are posted on the official website for three years' worth, so I solved those.
I wrote down unknown words and expressions in a notebook and used that for review.
For Schreiben, I created sentences using past paper answers and translation sites, and memorized the patterns.
Speaking (Sprechen)
I grasped what it was actually like through this video.
Following the themes that appeared in past papers, I created my own patterns for how to answer if a certain question came up, and practiced based on that.
You can create flashcards with an app called WordHolic!, so I used that to just keep muttering them to myself.
Since it's difficult to have someone check your pronunciation when you are self-studying, I used the official iPhone app and checked whether my pronunciation was understandable using voice translation.
It would be ideal if I could do a tandem with a German person, though...
I haven't found one yet.
In conclusion
How was it?
I'm thinking of taking the A2 exam next, so I hope to report on what it's actually like ^^
Thank you for reading until the end 💛