Goethe A1 (Start Deutsch 1) vs. telc A1 for Family Reunification Visa: Which Is Easier & Best Free Practice
Last updated: 17 October 2026 · Verified against official exam guidelines and grading rubrics
Applying for a German spouse or family reunification visa (Ehegattennachzug) requires proof of A1 German skills. German embassies accept both Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1) and telc Deutsch A1. Candidates always ask: Which exam is easier, how do they differ, and where can I practice for free online?
Comparison Table: Goethe A1 (Start Deutsch 1) vs. telc Deutsch A1
| Feature | Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 | telc Deutsch A1 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa & Embassy Acceptance | Accepted worldwide by German embassies and consulates | Accepted as an ALTE-certified certificate from licensed telc centers |
| Written Exam Duration | ~65 minutes (Listening 20m, Reading 25m, Writing 20m) | ~65 minutes (Identical Start Deutsch 1 structure) |
| Oral Exam (Sprechen) | 15 minutes in small groups (Introduction, Topic Card Q&A, Request Card) | 15 minutes in small groups (Same 3-part card format) |
| Passing Score | 60 out of 100 points | 60 out of 100 points |
| Free Online Simulator | Zertifly (/free/goethe/a1) | Zertifly (/free/telc/a1) |
Where Candidates Lose Points—and How to Fix It Fast
In Writing Part 2, you only need to write around 30 words, yet candidates fail because they forget one of the three bullet points (Leitpunkte). Zertifly's AI Writing grader checks all three points in seconds and shows you a clean A1 model answer.
In Speaking Parts 2 and 3, you draw theme cards (e.g., 'Einkaufen' or 'Wochenende') and must form a correct question and polite request immediately. Practicing with Zertifly's interactive Speaking cards removes test-day hesitation.
Which Exam Should You Book?
- Book whichever official center (Goethe-Institut or certified telc center) offers the earliest test date and fastest certificate issuance before your embassy appointment.
- Because both exams share the exact same task structure, solve both the free Goethe A1 (`/free/goethe/a1`) and free telc A1 (`/free/telc/a1`) sets on Zertifly to double your practice.
Start practicing for free right now at https://www.zertifly.com/en/free/goethe/a1 and https://www.zertifly.com/en/free/telc/a1.
Official sources
The exam rules and figures in this guide were checked against the official sources below.
Related guide
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