German placement test online
German placement test online (A1-C2)
50 questions · at most 60 minutes · result and certificate after purchase from €14.99
German level test online
Start without signing up · Verification ID and QR code · Instantly as a PDF
How the test worksHow it works
This placement test shows you at which level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) you understand and use German. You answer 50 questions on grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening and have at most 60 minutes. You start the test without signing up and free of charge. You receive your level and the certificate with a verification ID after purchase, from €14.99.
- 1
Take the test
Answer 50 questions on grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening. You need at most 60 minutes and no account.
- 2
Find out your level
Your level from A1 to C2 is calculated from your overall score. The evaluation takes only a few seconds.
- 3
Get your certificate
After purchase, from €14.99, you receive the certificate as a PDF. It carries a verification ID and a QR code.
The order of the questions
You work through the questions in order: grammar first, then vocabulary, then reading and finally the listening part. For each question you choose one of four answers and move on with „Next“. Going back is not possible, so every answer shows what you know spontaneously.
Listening and saving
In the listening part you hear 8 short recordings. Each one starts by itself two seconds after the question opens; you can pause it and play it once more. Your answers are saved after every question, so you can continue in the same browser if you close the window. After the last question you check the name for the certificate.
Your certificate
The certificate shows your name, your level, the test date and a verification ID with a QR code. Whoever receives it, for example an employer or a language school, can check that it is genuine.
- Verification ID on every certificate
- QR code leads straight to the verification page
- Check by ID at deutschniveau.com/en/verify
- Instantly as a PDF
What does the test measure?
The questions cover all six levels, from simple everyday sentences at A1 to demanding texts at C2.
Grammar 20
Sentence structure, tenses, cases, connectors and the subjunctive.
Vocabulary 14
The right words and fixed expressions in context.
Reading 8
Short texts, from a message to an opinion piece.
Listening 8
Announcements, conversations and interviews; each recording can be played twice.
The test does not measure writing or speaking. For a course or a job application it gives you a solid orientation; it does not replace an exam with an oral and a written part.
How is your level calculated?
It is based on the share of correct answers across all questions. Unanswered questions count as wrong.
| Correct answers | Level |
|---|---|
| under 30% | A1 |
| 30% to under 45% | A2 |
| 45% to under 60% | B1 |
| 60% to under 75% | B2 |
| 75% to under 90% | C1 |
| 90% or more | C2 |
With 50 questions this means, for example: 30 correct answers are 60% and put you at B2. How we wrote the questions and assigned them to the levels is described on the methodology page (in German).
Packages
You take the test first and choose a package afterwards. You do not buy anything on this page.
Certificate
€14.99
- Your level from A1 to C2
- Certificate as a PDF with verification ID and QR code
- Checkable online for one year
Recommended
Certificate and report
€19.99
- Everything in the certificate package
- Results for grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening
- Shows where you still lose points
Optional: extend online verification by another year (+€3.99) or without a time limit (+€6.99). One-time payment · no subscription · VAT included.
What the result is for, and what it is not for
Suitable for …
- choosing the right level before a language course
- showing your German in a job application or CV
- finding out how far you are before an exam
- measuring your progress again after a few months
Not suitable for …
- naturalisation
- a residence permit or visa
- admission to university
- any position that explicitly requires a specific exam
For official purposes you usually have to take an exam with a provider designated for this, such as the Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD. The authority or institution decides which proof it requires. If in doubt, ask them before you book anything.
Three sample questions
This is what the tasks look like. The questions are in German, as in the test. These examples do not appear in the test itself.
Letztes Jahr ___ ich zum ersten Mal in Wien.
- war
- bin
- wäre
- gewesen
Show answer
Answer: a) war
Der Zug hat Verspätung. Wir müssen den Termin leider ___.
- verschieben
- vertreiben
- versetzen
- verlegen werden
Show answer
Answer: a) verschieben
„Die Studie liefert keine Belege dafür, dass längere Arbeitszeiten die Produktivität erhöhen.“ Was bedeutet der Satz?
- Längere Arbeitszeiten senken die Produktivität nachweislich.
- Ein positiver Effekt längerer Arbeitszeiten ist nicht nachgewiesen.
- Die Studie hat Arbeitszeiten nicht untersucht.
- Die Produktivität ist unabhängig von der Arbeitszeit gestiegen.
Show answer
Answer: b) Ein positiver Effekt längerer Arbeitszeiten ist nicht nachgewiesen.
How to get a meaningful result
- Plan a quiet hour and have headphones ready.
- Answer every question yourself, without a dictionary or translator; otherwise the result does not show your own level, and the certificate says little about your German.
- If you are unsure, choose the answer that seems most likely and move on. Blank answers count as wrong.
- A laptop or tablet is more comfortable than a small smartphone, especially for the reading texts. The test works on all devices, though.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I only see my level after paying?
The test itself is free. With the purchase you unlock your result, the certificate with a verification ID and, if you like, the report. This pays for maintaining the questions, recording new listening texts and running the verification page.
What if my sound does not work?
Check your sound before you start, for example with a short video. If a recording does not start by itself, a play button appears and you do not lose an attempt. The listening questions count like all others.
Can I take a break?
Yes, your answers stay saved in the same browser. The 60 minutes keep running from your first answer, though.
Will employers accept the certificate?
That is up to each employer. A placement result with a verification ID gives them something they can check, which can help when you apply. If a position explicitly requires a specific exam, our certificate does not replace it.
Can I take the test again?
Yes. Each new attempt is a separate test with its own result. A certificate you have already bought stays valid unchanged.
What if my name is wrong on the certificate?
Before you buy, you check your name on a separate page. If you notice a typo afterwards, write to hallo@deutschniveau.com and we will correct it.
Can I withdraw from the purchase?
When you buy, you expressly agree that we unlock the result immediately. This ends the right of withdrawal. The details are in the withdrawal policy and the terms and conditions.
Details: withdrawal policy and terms and conditions (in German).
Where does your German stand?
Now you know what to expect. Take a quiet hour and find out.
Start testOverview of all levels: German levels A1 to C2
Last checked: 24.10.2026