German A2 Exam: Reading, Listening, Writing & Speaking Explained

The German A2 exam checks whether you can use German in everyday situations, not just whether you know grammar rules. Each of its four sections, reading, listening, writing and speaking, tests a different skill in a specific way. Knowing what happens in each part, and what examiners look for, makes preparation far more focused.

This guide explains each section of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 in detail, with practical tips for every part.

Quick Overview of the German A2 Exam

The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 has four sections worth 25 points each: Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing) and Sprechen (speaking). The written sections take 90 minutes in total, and speaking takes about 15 minutes in pairs.

To pass, you need at least 60 points overall, including at least 45 in the written part and 15 in speaking. The format is described in the Goethe-Institut’s A2 exam regulations (PDF). For the full syllabus and scoring table, see our article on the Goethe A2 exam pattern.

Lesen: The A2 Reading Section

Duration: 30 minutes | Parts: 4 | Questions: 20

In the reading section you work with texts you might meet in daily life in Germany, such as short newspaper articles, information boards in buildings, emails and advertisements.

What Each Part Looks Like

• Part 1: a short newspaper or magazine article with multiple choice questions
• Part 2: an information board or directory, for example in a department store, where you find the right floor or place
• Part 3: an email or letter with multiple choice questions
• Part 4: a set of short advertisements, where you match people’s needs to the right ad

Reading Tips

1. Read the questions before the text so you know what to look for.
2. In matching tasks, cross out options as you use them.
3. Expect the text to use different words from the question. Learn synonyms.
4. Keep an eye on time. Aim for about seven minutes per part.

Hören: The A2 Listening Section

Duration: about 30 minutes | Parts: 4 | Questions: 20

You hear everyday conversations, radio announcements and interviews, phone messages and public announcements.

What Each Part Looks Like

• Part 1: short radio items or announcements, with multiple choice questions
• Part 2: a longer conversation, where you match information, such as days or people to activities
• Part 3: short dialogues in everyday situations, often with picture or multiple choice options
• Part 4: an interview or longer conversation, with true/false or yes/no statements

Some audio is played twice and some only once, so listen carefully the first time.

Listening Tips

1. Use the reading time before each part to study the questions.
2. Listen for times, prices, places and reasons.
3. Watch out for changes of plan in dialogues, such as “Nein, doch lieber am Freitag”.
4. Practise with German podcasts, slow news and short videos regularly.

Schreiben: The A2 Writing Section

Duration: 30 minutes | Parts: 2

Part 1: Short Message

You write a short message, such as an SMS to a friend, of about 20 to 30 words. The task gives you three points to include, for example why you are late, when you will arrive and what your friend should do.

Part 2: Email

You write a slightly longer email of about 30 to 40 words, often to someone you know less well, like a teacher, colleague or landlord. This may need a more formal tone with Sie.

What Examiners Look For

• Have you covered all the task points?
• Is the message easy to understand?
• Are greetings and closings suitable for the reader?
• Are grammar and vocabulary used correctly for A2 level?

Writing Tips

1. Underline each task point and tick it off as you write.
2. Use connectors like weil, dann, aber and deshalb to link ideas.
3. Choose du or Sie correctly and stay consistent.
4. Leave two minutes at the end to check verb position and spelling.

Sample short message:

Hallo Sara, tut mir leid, ich komme heute 20 Minuten später, weil mein Bus Verspätung hat. Bestell bitte schon einen Kaffee für mich. Bis gleich! Amit

Sprechen: The A2 Speaking Section

Duration: about 15 minutes (pair exam) | Parts: 3

The speaking test is usually done with another candidate. There is no preparation time.

Part 1: Asking and Answering Questions

Each candidate gets cards with a word on a topic, such as Geburtstag or Wohnort. You ask your partner a question about it and answer their question.

Part 2: Talking About Yourself

You get a card with a question about your life, such as what you do on weekends or how you spend your free time, with prompts to help. You speak for a short time, and the examiner may ask a follow-up question.

Part 3: Planning Something Together

You and your partner plan something, like meeting to buy a gift. Each of you has a different diary or schedule, and you need to agree on a time that works for both.

Speaking Tips

1. Use full sentences, but keep them simple and clear.
2. Practise suggestions: Wie wäre es mit …? Hast du am Montag Zeit? Das passt mir gut.
3. React to your partner rather than giving memorised speeches.
4. If you do not understand, ask: Kannst du das bitte wiederholen?

Which Section Do Indian Learners Find Hardest?

Many Indian learners find listening and speaking harder than reading, mainly because they get less exposure to spoken German. Regular listening practice and speaking with a partner or teacher make a real difference. Writing also needs attention, since small grammar mistakes and missed task points can lower your score.

Prepare for All Four Skills with ASAP

Balanced practice across all four sections is the most reliable way to prepare. ASAP offers German A2 classes in Pune and weekend Goethe exam preparation sessions that include writing correction and speaking practice.

ASAP German Language Institute is run by professional linguists and German language teachers with 20+ years of experience in teaching, translation and interpretation. Classes run at our Deccan, Wakad and Kharadi branches in Pune, and online.

To enrol or ask about batch timings, call +91-9209203333, or see the Contact page on our website for branch addresses and numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many questions are in the A2 reading and listening sections?

The Goethe A2 reading section and the listening section each have 20 questions across four parts. Each correct answer earns one point, and the total is then converted to a score out of 25.

2. How many words do I need to write in the A2 exam?

The first writing task is usually a short message of about 20 to 30 words, and the second is an email of about 30 to 40 words. Covering every task point clearly matters more than the exact word count.

3. Is the A2 speaking test done alone or with a partner?

It is usually done in pairs and lasts about 15 minutes. In exceptional cases it may be done individually, which takes about 10 minutes. There is no preparation time in either case.

4. Do I need a minimum score in each section?

For the Goethe A2, you need at least 45 points in the written part overall and at least 15 points in speaking, plus 60 points in total. There is no separate minimum for reading, listening or writing on their own.

5. How can I improve my A2 listening score?

Listen to short German audio every day, such as podcasts, announcements and dialogues. Practise with official sample papers under timed conditions and focus on key information like times, places and reasons.