German A1 test: do you have the A1 level?
Last checked: 25.10.2026
German A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). At A1 you understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences: introducing yourself, asking for a price, understanding a time.
You receive your result and certificate after purchase (from €14.99). Taking the test costs nothing.
Verification ID and QR code · Instantly as a PDF · No subscription
In short
A1 · Beginner. The CEFR describes A1 as the level at which you can introduce yourself and others and ask and answer simple personal questions, such as where someone lives or what they have. You can interact in a simple way if the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.
What you can do at A1
Listening
- You understand when someone slowly asks for your name, address or phone number.
- You understand numbers, prices and times, for example „Das macht drei Euro fünfzig“.
Reading
- You recognise single words on signs and posters such as „Eingang“, „Kasse“ or „geöffnet“.
- You understand a very short message like „Ich bin heute krank. Bis morgen, Tom.“
Speaking
- You introduce yourself: name, origin, where you live, job.
- You order a drink in a café and ask how much it costs.
Writing
- You fill in a form with your name, address and date of birth.
- You write a short message: „Ich komme um 18 Uhr.“
Typical grammar and vocabulary at A1
These topics come up again and again at A1. In our test, 8 of the 50 questions are at A1; most of them check grammar and vocabulary like this.
Grammar
- Present tense of regular verbs and of „sein“ and „haben“: „ich komme“, „du bist“, „wir haben“
- W-questions and yes/no questions: „Wo wohnen Sie?“, „Haben Sie Zeit?“
- Articles „der, die, das“ and „ein, eine“ in nominative and accusative
- Negation with „nicht“ and „kein“
- Possessive articles: „mein“, „Ihr“
- Numbers, times, days of the week
Vocabulary
- Personal details: name, country, language, job
- Family and home: mother, child, flat, street
- Food and shopping: bread, water, price, euro
- Time: clock, today, tomorrow, Monday
Three sample questions at A1
They are not taken from our test, but they show the kind of German that counts at this level. The tasks are in German.
Task 1
Ich ___ aus Spanien.
- komme
- kommst
- kommt
- kommen
Show answer
A „komme“: With “ich” the verb takes the ending -e: ich komme (I come).
Task 2
Lesen Sie die Nachricht: „Hallo Anna, ich bin heute nicht im Büro. Ich bin krank. Bis morgen, Tom.“: Warum ist Tom nicht im Büro?
- Er hat Urlaub.
- Er ist krank.
- Er ist in Spanien.
- Er hat einen Termin.
Show answer
B „Er ist krank.“: Tom writes it directly: “Ich bin krank” (I am ill). At A1 you need to find a piece of information like this in a short text.
Task 3
Am Morgen trinke ich eine Tasse ___.
- Kaffee
- Brot
- Käse
- Apfel
Show answer
A „Kaffee“: “Trinken” (to drink) goes with drinks: eine Tasse Kaffee (a cup of coffee). Bread, cheese and apples are eaten.
Do you have A1? A quick self-check
Test your level
The placement test has 50 questions from A1 to C2, 8 of them at A1. It measures grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening: 20 grammar, 14 vocabulary, 8 reading and 8 listening questions. Everyone gets at least A1; A1 is the result for under 30 percent correct answers across the whole test. How the result is calculated is explained in the methodology (German).
You receive your result and certificate after purchase (from €14.99). Taking the test costs nothing.
Official A1 exams
If an employer, an authority or a university asks for proof of A1, you need the certificate of an official exam. Common ones are:
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
- Fit in Deutsch 1 (Goethe-Institut, for teenagers)
- Start Deutsch 1 / telc Deutsch A1
- telc Deutsch A1 für Zuwanderer (for immigrants)
- ÖSD Zertifikat A1
- Goethe-Test PRO (adaptive test by the Goethe-Institut, result between A1 and C2)
Which exam counts is decided by the institution that asks for proof. Ask before you register.
What is A1 required for?
When joining a spouse in Germany, the Residence Act often requires basic German, i.e. A1, proven by an official exam (§ 30 AufenthG). There are exceptions; the responsible German embassy or consulate lists which certificates it accepts.
For the Opportunity Card under the points system you need at least German at A1 or English at B2 (§ 20a AufenthG). Better German earns additional points there.
How long does it take to reach A1?
The BAMF does not give a figure for A1 alone. The general integration course leads from the basics to B1 in 600 teaching units; A1 is the first stage on that route.
People who need A1 for an application often plan an intensive course of a few weeks. How fast it goes depends on your study time per week and on what you already know, for example if you speak another European language.
Questions about A1
Is A1 from your test enough for family reunification?
No. The embassy requires the certificate of an official exam, for example Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 or telc Deutsch A1. Our test shows beforehand whether you securely reach A1.
I know almost nothing yet. Is the test worth it already?
If you are just starting, it is better after the first weeks of a course. The test begins with simple A1 questions; after that they get harder quickly, which is normal and nothing to worry about.
How many A1 questions does the test include?
Eight. Everyone gets at least A1; A1 is the result for under 30 percent correct answers across the whole test.
What comes after A1?
A2. There you communicate in simple routine situations, for example at the doctor’s or when shopping, and understand short everyday texts.
What does the A1 test cost?
The test itself is free and you start without signing up. Your result and the certificate with a verification ID are unlocked after purchase, from €14.99. There is no subscription.
Can I prove A1 with the certificate?
The certificate is a placement result with a verification ID: it shows the level you reached in our test, and anyone can check it online. Whether that is enough is decided by whoever you show it to. Authorities and universities usually require an exam such as Goethe, telc or ÖSD.
Neighbouring levels and further reading
One level above: German A2. All levels at a glance: German levels A1 to C2. What the certificate shows: German certificate online.
Sources
- Global scale: Common Reference Levels (Europarat)
- Aufenthaltsgesetz, § 30 Ehegattennachzug (Bundesministerium der Justiz)
- Deutschprüfungen (Goethe-Institut)
- telc Deutsch-Prüfungen (telc gGmbH)
- Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD)
- Integrationskurs: Inhalt und Ablauf (integration course) (BAMF)
Last checked: 25.10.2026 · Written by the Deutschniveau editorial team · Editorial policy (German)