This exam consists of four modules which come under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). 

German A1 Exam Modules

Hören – Listening

Marks – 15 (which is later converted to 25), Time – approximately 20 mins

This module consists of 3 main questions. 

First main question has 6 sub-questions. Each question is a dialogue between two people which you have to listen carefully and then mark the correct option among a, b and c. This is very easy as you can listen to the dialogues twice and the vocabulary is basic.

Important: You get a few seconds time before every question and this is the best time to mark all those important words in the question as well as in the answers. They could be the keywords during the conversation.

Second main question has 4 sub-questions. These are mostly announcements from airports, supermarkets or train stations. Most difficult part of this module. Also, if that wasn’t enough, there is one more difficulty level, these announcements are made to listen to only once. Make sure you mark all the important words in these questions. You have to find out if the announcements are true or false. 

Important: These sentences could be tricky and they could use synonyms and antonyms to confuse you. The best part to get through this question is by being thorough with your vocabulary and practising a lot of announcements in German.

Third main Question consists of 5 sub-questions and works like the first main question. Each question has three options a, b and c. You get to listen to each question twice and you have to mark the correct option.

Important: Though this question is quite easy and scoring, knowledge of vocabulary is a must. Also be prepared with your numbers very well. 

Lesen – Reading

Marks – 15 (which is later converted to 25), Time – approximately 20 mins

This module like the Listening module consists of 3 main questions.

First main question consists of 5 sub-questions. This question is like the question we used to have in our english exams in school. There are two comprehension texts with some sentences with options of true and false. You have to read the text carefully and find which sentence is true and which one is false. Easy, isn’t it?

Second main question consists of 5 sub-questions. Every question has a situation where in answer options we will have two websites, one right and one wrong. Based on the situation given, find out the correct website for each question. 

Third main question also consists of 5 sub-questions. You will be given an advertisement or a sign board and based on that you will have some statements. You have to find out whether the statement is true or false.

Important: Reading is of course one of the easiest in the A1 exam and one doesn’t need to be stressed about it. (Also, you don’t have to read out anything to anyone). They check if you understand the statements and the differences in the words easily. But be prepared with your vocabulary.

Schreiben – Writing

Marks – 15 (which is later converted to 25), Time – approximately 30 mins

This Module has two questions. 

First question consists of a text with information about a person or a company and then below that you get a form to be filled. You have to read the text and fill the form accordingly. There will be only five blanks in the form and you need to fill up those. Could it be easier?

Second question is writing a letter or an email. It could be formal or informal and the question will have 3 points and you have to use them in your letter or email. Also there is a word limit which shouldn’t exceed so much that it starts looking like a thesis. 😀

Important: Again, for almost the fifth time now, it is important to know your vocabulary. Other important points are grammar, spellings and the way of writing in German language. For example, all the nouns (proper or common) start with capital letters only. You will lose marks if not written that way. 

Sprechen – Speaking

Marks – 15 (which is later converted to 25), Time – approximately 15 mins

And lastly, this module has 3 questions again.

First question is your introduction. You have to introduce yourself in German language and based on your Introduction the examiners will ask you two questions. So that means, don’t just learn the introduction by heart (because it is easy to do so) also, know what you are talking about.

Second question is about W Questions. You will be made to sit in a group of four and they will give you cards which have a theme and a word, which is kept upside down. You have to choose one of the cards and make a W Question with that. This repeats for two rounds with of course different themes and words. You just don’t have to pose a question, you also have to answer the question asked to you by another member in your group.

Third question is about Yes / No questions and request sentences. It is continued with the same group as before and with the same card method, here the only difference is there is no theme, you just get a picture of an object in the card and you have to either pose a yes / no question or a request sentence. It is done for two rounds. You also have to answer the question asked to you by another member in your group.

Important: While speaking, pronunciations are extremely important and so are your sentence structures. Especially the modal verbs, where the main verb has to go at the end of the sentence. This problem occurs every time because of the constant translation in English language. Make sure you are well prepared!

And that’s it! It is not difficult if you know the vocabulary and grammar rules well. 🙂

Here is the link of a sample paper.