The Sections of the Family Reunification Exam

🔊 Click the German words with a dotted underline to hear how they are pronounced.

Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 – everything you need to know, from its structure and scoring to what happens after exam day

On this page: General information · Legal basis · Exam format · 4 skills · Exam day · Scoring · After the exam · FAQ · Registration

General Information

Turkish citizens applying for a visa to join their spouse in Germany generally have to provide proof of basic German skills when they apply (there are exceptions). This requirement became mandatory under German immigration legislation that came into force in 2007.

The required level of German is A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). One of the recognised exams that certifies this level (alongside the ÖSD's Grundstufe Deutsch 1) is the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, run by the Goethe-Institut. In Turkey, this exam is offered only at the Goethe-Institut branches in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

A1 is the most basic stage in learning a foreign language. A learner at this level can introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions, understand short, simple everyday conversations when people speak slowly and clearly, and write short personal messages. The exam is designed to measure exactly these skills.

Legal Basis

According to the official statement of the German Consulate General in Istanbul (translated from Turkish):

"The fundamental reforms of residence law require foreigners who wish to join their spouse in Germany to prove that they have basic knowledge of German when applying for a visa in their home country. The aim of this rule is to enable these people, once they come to Germany, to take part in social life by communicating in German, at least at a basic level."

The aim is that people coming to Germany through family reunification have already learnt the basics of German before their integration courses. This makes everyday communication and the first steps of settling in easier.

Important: For A1 certificates issued in Turkey, the German missions' visa sections accept only the Goethe-Institut (Start Deutsch 1) and ÖSD (Grundstufe Deutsch 1) certificates. A1 certificates from other providers in Turkey, including telc, are not recognised for this purpose. Keep this in mind before you register for the exam.

Exam Format

The Start Deutsch 1 exam has four separate sections that test four language skills. The first three sections — Hören (listening), Lesen (reading) and Schreiben (writing) — are written and take about 65 minutes in total. The oral section, Sprechen (speaking), takes place in small groups of 3–4 people and lasts about 15 minutes. The exam is marked out of 100 points; candidates who score at least 60 points and complete all sections pass.

The written and oral sections are usually held back to back on the same day, but depending on the centre's schedule they may be spread over different days. For exam dates and the format (digital or paper-based), always go by the website of the centre you register with.

1. Hören — Listening

15 questions · approx. 20 minutes · 25 points

You listen to everyday dialogues, phone messages or public announcements. For each question you hear a short recording and mark a multiple-choice or true/false answer. Topics are practical situations such as shopping, appointments, directions, times and prices.

💡 Tip: In parts 1 and 3 the recordings are played twice; in part 2 they are played only once. Where you hear a recording twice, focus on key words the first time and check the details the second time.

2. Lesen — Reading

15 questions · approx. 25 minutes · 25 points

There are comprehension questions on short texts: emails, short messages, newspaper adverts, train and bus timetables, signs and notices. The texts come from everyday life, and for each one you answer true/false or multiple-choice questions.

💡 Tip: Read the question before you read the whole text. That way you know what you are looking for and save time.

3. Schreiben — Writing

2 tasks · approx. 20 minutes · 25 points

a) Filling in a form: using the information given, filling in the gaps in a simple registration form (name, address, phone number, etc.).

b) Short message/letter: writing a personal text of about 30 words about an everyday situation (an invitation, an appointment, a request).

💡 Tip: You can learn greetings and closing lines by heart. Phrases such as "Liebe/Lieber…" and "Viele Grüße" earn you points.

4. Sprechen — Speaking

3 parts · approx. 15 minutes · 25 points · group exam

a) Introducing yourself: giving information such as your name, country, age, job and hobbies.

b) Asking questions: asking another candidate a question about a given key word, and answering one.

c) Making a request: forming a request that matches a given picture, and responding to one.

💡 Tip: Don't try to speak perfectly. What counts is completing the task in a way the examiners can understand; short, clear sentences are usually safer than long ones with many mistakes.

Exam Day: What to Expect

Knowing what happens on the day you first go to the exam centre reduces stress. The steps below work in much the same way at almost every Goethe-Institut centre.

🔵 1. Arrival (30 minutes before the exam starts): Arrive early. Security or reception staff at the entrance greet candidates and direct them to the exam room.

🔵 2. ID check and registration: Your identity is checked with your passport or Turkish national ID card. Make sure you bring a valid photo ID on exam day.

🔵 3. Written section (Hören + Lesen + Schreiben): Listening, reading and writing are done one after the other. About 65 minutes in total. There is no break between the parts; you set your own pace.

🔵 4. Short break: There is usually a 10–30 minute break between the end of the written section and the oral section. This varies from centre to centre.

🔵 5. Oral section (Sprechen): This takes place in small groups of 3–4 people in a separate room. Two examiners sit opposite you: one leads the conversation, and both assess your performance. It lasts about 15 minutes.

Important: Phones, smartwatches, headphones, dictionaries and your own paper are not allowed in the exam room. Everything you need for the exam (paper, pens) is provided by the centre.

Scoring and Passing

The exam is marked out of 100 points. Each section is worth 25 points; to pass, you need at least 60 points in total. There is no minimum score per section – a candidate with a low score in one section can still pass with high scores in the others.

25 points

Hören
Listening

25 points

Lesen
Reading

25 points

Schreiben
Writing

25 points

Sprechen
Speaking

🔵 Pass mark: 60/100 (60%)
🔵 Certificate validity: unlimited
🔵 Resits: unlimited
🔵 Results: about 2–4 weeks after the exam
🔵 Minimum score per section: none – the total score is what counts
🔵 If you fail: you receive a certificate of attendance showing your score

After the Exam: Results and Certificate

Results are usually announced within 2–4 weeks. They are published through the Goethe-Institut's online system, and you are also notified by email. You can collect your certificate in person from the centre or have it sent to you by post.

If you pass: you receive the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 certificate. It is valid indefinitely and can be submitted directly with your visa application to the German consulate. Submit the certificate in the original, and check the consulate's current requirements before you apply.

If you fail: there is no limit on resits. You can register for the next exam date and take it again; previous attempts do not appear on the certificate or in your records. You receive a certificate of attendance showing your score, but it is not valid for the visa application.

Can you pass part of the exam? No. Start Deutsch 1 is assessed as a whole; there is no such thing as "I passed three sections, so I'll just resit one". You have to retake the whole exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions exam candidates ask me most often, with my answers.

If I start from scratch, how long will it take me to be ready?

It depends on the person: the time you can set aside each day, your study discipline and your previous experience of learning languages all play a part. Someone who studies regularly for 1–2 hours a day needs 2–4 months on average. At an intensive pace, this can come down to 6–8 weeks.

I took the exam and failed. What should I do?

First of all, don't panic – there is no limit on resits. Look at the section scores on your results sheet and focus on the section where you scored lowest. Getting to know the exam format and working on the sections you found hard will help you prepare for the next attempt. Before you resit, at least 4–6 weeks of intensive revision and practice exams is recommended.

Is the digital or the paper-based exam better?

Both formats have exactly the same content and scoring. The only difference is the presentation: in the digital exam the questions appear on screen and you type the writing section on a keyboard. If you are comfortable with computers, the digital version may be more practical; if you prefer writing by hand, the paper version may suit you better. Which format the exam centre offers becomes clear when you register.

Is there an age limit?

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is recommended for candidates aged 16 and over. There is a separate version for children, Fit in Deutsch 1, but it is not the exam described here for spouse reunification.

Is the certificate valid for life?

The certificate has no expiry date – it is valid indefinitely. However, for the spouse reunification visa in Turkey, the certificate must have been issued no more than 12 months before you apply, so time the exam to fit your application plans.

Private or group lessons – which is more effective?

Both have their advantages. Private lessons focus entirely on you, concentrate on your weak sections and can be scheduled flexibly. Group lessons offer advantages for speaking practice – after all, the oral section of the exam takes place in a group. You can choose according to your time and budget; whichever you choose, preparation that matches the exam format exactly is essential.

Registering for the Exam

In Turkey, the Start Deutsch 1 exam is held at three Goethe-Institut centres. Registration, payment and dates are handled directly through the website of the centre concerned:

🔵 Goethe-Institut Istanbul
🔵 Goethe-Institut Ankara
🔵 Goethe-Institut Izmir

The exam fee is about 3,500–4,500 TL (Turkish lira) in Turkey and around €80–150 at Goethe centres in Germany (approximate figures that may change). For current fees, exam dates and whether the digital or paper version is offered, check the website of the centre where you want to take the exam.

How to register:

1. Go to the website of the Goethe-Institut centre concerned.
2. In the "Exams" (Prüfungen) section, select Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1.
3. Choose a suitable exam date from those available and fill in the registration form.
4. Pay the fee online.
5. On exam day, bring a valid photo ID accepted by the exam centre and your exam invitation.

Places may be limited, and exams in Istanbul in particular fill up quickly. We recommend planning your registration at least 4–6 weeks before the exam date.