Goethe-Zertifikat C1: the exam parts

Schreiben

75 minutes, two texts, in any order: a discussion post in an online forum (approx. 230 words, suggested 50 minutes) and a (semi-)formal message, such as an email to a superior (approx. 120 words, 25 minutes). Both come with four points you have to cover. They are marked against task fulfilment, coherence, vocabulary and structures; the forum post counts for 60 and the message for 40 of the 100 points. If task fulfilment gets the lowest band, the text scores zero. What holds a text together at this level: connectors.

Duration, points, passing

Each module gives a maximum of 100 points and is passed with 60. The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is modular: each module gets its own certificate and can be retaken as often as you like.

What C1 asks of you

At C1 you understand demanding, longer texts including implicit meaning, and you express yourself spontaneously, fluently and precisely — at university as at work. So the exam asks above all for precision: spotting nuances in texts and structuring your own thoughts clearly.

• Lesen: four parts with 30 items, among them a gap-fill with answer choices and a task in which you put sentences back into a text.
• Hören: four parts. In Teil 2 you decide whether a statement is correct, incorrect or not mentioned — a format that demands close listening. You hear Teil 2 and Teil 4 twice, Teil 1 and Teil 3 only once.
• Sprechen: a talk of about five minutes on one of two topics, followed by about two minutes of questions and conversation; then a discussion of a controversial question with a short input text. Among other things, coherence, vocabulary, structures and interaction are marked, and pronunciation across the whole exam.

What you need the certificate for

C1 is often required for university study and demanding jobs. Which certificates a university or employer recognises varies widely — some ask for a particular exam or a particular result. Read the admission rules carefully or ask before you register.