Candidates preparing for a German exam often start with the same question: Goethe or telc? Both are well known and both cover every level from A1 to C2. The more useful question is usually a different one: which exam does the person asking for your certificate accept?
Start with the certificate you need
A university, an employer or a school will often name the exam, the level, or both. Some accept one provider only; others accept several. If they explicitly require one exam, that settles it and there is nothing left to compare.
The level matters as much as the provider. Choose the level that is required, not the level you hope you have reached.
What the two exams have in common
- Both offer exams at every level from A1 to C2.
- Both assess reading, listening, writing and speaking.
- Both are run through examination centres, and you normally sit the exam at an approved centre rather than at home.
The differences lie mostly in how the exams are organised, and these can suit one candidate better than another.
Where they differ
How the exam is built
The Goethe-Zertifikat tests the four skills together at A1 and A2. From B1 it is modular, which means the skills can be taken separately.
telc exams consist of a written part and an oral part, and the oral part is often taken with another candidate. In exams such as telc Deutsch B1, the written part includes a section on grammar and vocabulary called Language Elements, so accuracy is tested directly.
A candidate who is strong in three skills and still working on the fourth may find the modular structure useful. Ask the centre exactly how it works at your level.
Two levels in one sitting
Some telc exams cover two levels at once, for example A2·B1. The result can be either level, depending on your score and provided you meet the relevant pass requirements. This can help if you are not sure which level you are at, but check that the certificate you would receive is the one you need. The Goethe-Zertifikat has a separate exam for each level.
Versions for particular purposes
Goethe has versions for adults and young people from A1 to B2, and Goethe-Test PRO is a separate computer-based test of reading and listening for professional settings. telc has standard exams, plus versions for school, junior, professional, medical, nursing and university use. If you need German for a particular profession or course, look at whether your employer or university names one of these versions.
Format
Goethe exams are available on paper and digitally at selected centres. telc exams are on paper, on a computer or a mixture, depending on the exam. Check the provider’s website for the options that are currently available.
Fees and dates
Fees and dates are set locally, so check the centre where you plan to sit the exam. Compare the actual price and the next available date at the centres near you.
When both are accepted
If your university or employer accepts both, the choice is usually practical:
- Date. Which exam can you sit on a date that suits your deadline, with enough time to prepare?
- Centre. Which centre is nearest, and what does it charge?
- Format. Would you rather take the exam on paper or on a computer, and in one sitting or in separate parts?
- Level. Is the level you need available in the version you want?
Once you have chosen, stay with that exam. The German you need is the same, but each exam asks for it in its own way. Changing late means learning a new format when you could be strengthening your German.
What about ÖSD, TestDaF and DSH?
ÖSD, the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch, also covers A1 to C2 and includes exams for children and younger learners. If your university, employer or school explicitly requires it, that settles the choice in the same way.
TestDaF and DSH are different. They are exams for applicants to German universities, so they cover the upper levels only: TestDaF sits at roughly B2 to C1, and DSH entry requirements vary by institution, so check the required German level before registering. TestDaF is taken at licensed centres around the world, while the DSH is administered by universities and Studienkollegs in Germany. If you are applying to study in Germany, check the university’s admission requirements before you book anything.
Once you have chosen
Preparation then concentrates on that exam’s task types and timing: timed practice papers, mock exams and detailed feedback on your own work. The aim is that nothing in the exam room is unfamiliar, so your attention can go to the German itself.
Choosing the level is often the harder decision. Be honest about where you are starting, and about how much time there is before the exam date. A first conversation about your German will show how big the gap is and what to work on first.
Exam details last checked . Exams change, so check the provider’s website before you book. I am an independent tutor, not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD, and I do not run the exams or register candidates.
If you are preparing for a German exam, you can:
- Read about German exam preparation
- Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about your exam and your level