Exams (Goethe & Reading Knowledge)

Deutsches Haus in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut offers the German exams A1: Start Deutsch 1, A2: Start Deutsch 2, B1: Zertifikat Deutsch, Goethe-Zertifikat B2 and Goethe-Zertifikat C1 according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) .

The exams are held twice a year, in June and December. Please notice, that we offer one additional A1 exam and a free practice exam for A1 in April 2013. In order to offer an exam at least four candidates need to sign up for the exam. Additional information about these internationally recognized Goethe-Institut exams can be found below and at http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prf/enindex.htm.

Deutsches Haus also offers a Reading Knowledge Exam at the end of each completed term, five times a year. There is no minimum of students for the exam to take place.

Online registration is open! Please go to the link REGISTRATION FORMS on the left or register in person. Registration is open to the general public and to registered Deutsches Haus students. For further information, please contact Deutsches Haus at deutsches.haus@nyu.edu

Summer examination dates

A1 and A2:                  June 20^th, 2013 at 10 am

B1 and B2:                  June 21^st, 2013 at 10 am

C1:                               June 22^nd, 2013 at 10 am

Registration deadline: May 5^th, 2013

Exam Registration Fees (no refunds are available for any exam once you are registered):

Practice for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

10:00 am-11:30 am

This mock exam is FREE!!!

Space is limited. Please register until May 26th, 2013

For more information and registration, please email Andrea Pieper-Wheelock: apw2@nyu.edu

DETAILED INFORMATION about each exam:  

1. A1 / Start Deutsch 1

Level

Proof of very basic knowledge of German. You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You can introduce yourself and others and are able to ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and things you have. You can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Test Sections
The test has two parts: The written part requires 1 hour 05 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension and written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes. Detailed description: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/sd1/enindex.htm

Recognition
Recognized by institutions as proof of very basic knowledge of German. Also recognized in Germany as proof of elementary language knowledge when applying for permanent residency in Germany.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit fürs Goethe-Zertifikat A1, ISBN 978-3-19-001872-7, published by Hueber

2. A2 / Start Deutsch 2

Level

Proof of basic knowledge of German. You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). You are able to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. You can describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Test Sections
The test has two parts: The written part requires 1 hours 10 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension and written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes. Detailed description: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/sd2/enindex.htm

Recognition
Widely recognized as proof of elementary knowledge of German.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit fürs Goethe-Zertifikat A2, ISBN 978-3-19-001873-4, published by Hueber

3. B1/Zertifikat Deutsch

Level
Proof of solid knowledge of basic German. You can manage important everyday situations. You are able to understand and participate in conversations on daily life and express yourself orally and in writing. You also comprehend oral statements and written texts.

You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. You can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Test Sections
The test has two parts: The written part requires 2 hours 30 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammar/syntax/vocabulary, written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes. Detailed description: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gzd/enindex.htm

Recognition
Widely recognized by private and public employers as proof of basic knowledge of German. Also recognized in Germany as proof of language knowledge when applying for German citizenship.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit für das Zertifikat, ISBN 978-3-19-051651-3, published by Hueber 

4. Goethe-Zertifikat B2

Level
You can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. You can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. You can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Test Sections
The test has two parts: The written part requires 3 hours 10 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes. Detailed description: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gb2/enindex.htm

Recognition
Well-known and internationally recognized by employers as proof of solid general command of German. The examination certificate exempts the holder from language testing when enrolling in some German institutions of higher education.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit für das Goethe-Zertifikat B2, ISBN 978-3-19-001874-1, published by Hueber

5. Goethe-Zertifikat C1

Level
You can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. You can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. You are able to express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Test Sections
The test has two parts: The written part requires 3 hours 15 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes. Detailed description: http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gc1/enindex.htm

Recognition
Widely recognized as a proficient use of the German language. The examination certificate exempts the holder from language testing when enrolling in some German institutions of higher education.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit für das Goethe-Zertifikat C1, ISBN 978-3-19-001875-8, published by Hueber

6. Goethe-Zertifikat C2 GDS

Level
You can understand everything in German that you read and hear effortlessly. You can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, and, in doing so, synthesize correlating arguments as well as explanations.  You can naturally express yourself in a fluent and accurate manner and articulate the finer nuances of complex arguments.

Test Sections

The test has two parts: The written part requires 3 hours 15 minutes and consists of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression. The oral exam takes 15 minutes

Detailed description: http//www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/nc2/bes/enindex.htm

Recognition
The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 GDS (Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom) enables foreign students to apply to German universities.

Book with sample tests and tips

Fit fürs Goethe-Zertifikat C2. ISBN: 978-3-19-201875-6, published by HUEBER

7. Reading Knowledge 

Winter 2013 TERM Reading Knowledge exam:

Friday, March 29th, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Registration deadline: Thursday, March 21st, 2013

For students currently enrolled in a Reading Knowledge 2 class, Deutsches Haus has specially designed a Reading Knowledge Exam that can be taken at the conclusion of each term. Interested students have to register. The exam is also open to students who are not currently enrolled.

During the exam, students are presented with a text of about 300 words. They have 90 minutes to translate the text. The final grade is based 100% on the exam. Acceptable translation aids: Traditional or electronic dictionaries only. Online translation resources are not allowed.

The registration fee for all exam participants is $100. Online registration is open! Please go to the link REGISTRATION FORMS on the left https://www.nyu.edu/deutscheshaus/language-registration-formL.html or download a printable registration form. No refunds are available for any exam once you are registered.