Reading is where many candidates can collect their safest points at Start Deutsch 1. The texts are short and the vocabulary is familiar, and you can always reread. The difficulty is not the language. It is the small details the questions test. This guide explains the Goethe A1 Lesen and telc A1 Lesen sections side by side. It gives you a method for each Teil and the vocabulary you meet on signs and websites, plus a short practice set with answers. Use it as your A1 reading practice plan and as a checklist of German A1 reading exam tips.
What the exam looks like
In both exams, Lesen and Schreiben together take about 45 minutes (telc runs them as one block). About 25 minutes are meant for Lesen and about 20 for Schreiben. There are 15 items, and each is worth 1 point.
| Teil | Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 | telc Deutsch A1 | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 short personal texts (note, letter or e-mail), richtig/falsch | 2 short personal texts (note, short letter or e-mail), richtig/falsch | 1–5 (with example 0) |
| 2 | One pair of short sources per item (web pages, timetables, ads). Choose a or b | Per item, a situation and two short texts (web pages or ads). Choose a or b | 6–10 (with example 0) |
| 3 | Short notices and signs, one per item, richtig/falsch | Short notices or signs, one per item, richtig/falsch | 11–15 (with example 0) |
| Time | approx. 25 min (Lesen + Schreiben approx. 45 min, within the 65-min written part) | approx. 25 min (inside the 45-min Lesen/Schreiben block) | 15 points |
The formats are practically identical. telc marks richtig/falsch with + and – on the answer sheet. Goethe uses the words Richtig and Falsch.
Strategy for each part
Teil 1: two short personal texts (richtig/falsch)
- Read the statements first, not the text. Underline the key word in each one: a day, a person, a place, a number.
- Read the text once from start to finish so you know who is writing to whom and why.
- Go statement by statement. The statements usually follow the order of the text. Find the sentence that matches and compare it word by word.
- Check who does what. Often everything in the statement is correct except the person.
Typical trap: the right fact, the wrong person.
Text: „Meine Schwester kommt am Freitag. Ich hole sie am Bahnhof ab.“
The statement „Die Schwester holt die Schreiberin am Bahnhof ab.“ is falsch, because the writer picks up the sister, not the other way round.
Time: about 8 minutes.
Teil 2: choose the right source (a or b)
- Read the situation and mark the conditions. These are usually two or three: when, how much, where, for whom.
- Scan both texts for those conditions only. Don’t read every word of a website or timetable.
- Eliminate. As soon as one condition fails, cross the text out. The other one is your answer.
Typical trap: the text that matches almost everything.
Situation: „Sie möchten am Sonntag schwimmen gehen.“
Text a: „Hallenbad Nord – Mo bis Sa 7–21 Uhr.“
Text b: „Freibad am See – täglich 9–19 Uhr.“
Both are swimming pools, but only b is open on Sunday (täglich = every day).
Time: about 9 minutes. This is the part with the most text, so don’t get stuck on one item.
Teil 3: signs and notices (richtig/falsch)
- Read the statement and ask: what exactly does it claim?
- Look at the sign for times, days, dates, prices and words like nur, geschlossen and ab.
- Decide from what the sign says. Don’t use what is “normal” in real life.
Typical trap: abbreviations and date details.
Sign: „Wegen Renovierung vom 3. bis 10. Mai geschlossen. Ab 11. Mai sind wir wieder für Sie da!“
The statement „Am 10. Mai ist das Geschäft offen.“ is falsch.
Time: about 6 minutes.
Overall time tip: Lesen and Schreiben share one block, so keep an eye on the clock. If you finish Lesen early, the spare minutes go to your Schreiben letter. If you get stuck, mark your best guess and come back at the end. Make sure every answer is on the answer sheet.
Useful vocabulary for A1 reading
These words appear again and again on German signs, timetables and websites:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| geöffnet / geschlossen | open / closed |
| die Öffnungszeiten | opening hours |
| täglich / werktags | daily / on working days (Mon–Sat) |
| Mo–Fr, Sa, So | Mon–Fri, Sat, Sun |
| der Feiertag | public holiday |
| ab / bis | from / until |
| der Eingang / der Ausgang | entrance / exit |
| Bitte nicht … | Please do not … |
| … verboten | … not allowed |
| kostenlos / gratis | free of charge |
| die Anmeldung | registration / reception |
| der Fahrplan / die Abfahrt / die Ankunft | timetable / departure / arrival |
| das Sonderangebot | special offer |
| Erwachsene / Kinder | adults / children |
| vermieten / verkaufen | to rent out / to sell |
| die Wohnung, das Zimmer, die Miete | flat, room, rent |
Small words that change meaning:
- nur (only)
- nicht / kein (not / no)
- auch (also)
- schon (already)
- noch nicht (not yet)
- wieder (again)
- außer (except)
Sentences like „täglich außer montags“ (every day except Monday) are classic Teil 3 material.
Practice set
Part A: e-mail (like Teil 1), richtig or falsch?
Liebe Anna,
danke für deine Einladung! Leider kann ich am Samstag nicht kommen, denn meine Eltern besuchen mich. Aber am Sonntag habe ich Zeit. Wir können zusammen frühstücken. Ich bringe Brötchen mit. Um 10 Uhr bei dir?
Viele Grüße
Lena
- Lena besucht am Samstag ihre Eltern.
- Lena möchte am Sonntag mit Anna frühstücken.
- Anna soll Brötchen kaufen.
Part B: choose a or b (like Teil 2)
4. Sie möchten am Abend einen Deutschkurs machen.
a) Volkshochschule: Deutsch A1, Mo + Mi, 9:00–12:00 Uhr
b) Sprachschule Lingua: Deutsch A1, Di + Do, 18:30–20:30 Uhr
5. Sie suchen ein Zimmer und haben nur 400 Euro im Monat.
a) Schönes Zimmer, 18 m², 380 € warm, ab sofort frei
b) Helles Zimmer mit Balkon, 450 € + Nebenkosten
Part C: signs (like Teil 3), richtig or falsch?
6. At the cinema: „Montag ist Kinotag! Alle Filme nur 6 Euro.“
Statement: Am Montag sind die Kinokarten billiger.
7. At a doctor’s office: „Sprechstunde: Mo–Fr 8–12 Uhr, Di + Do auch 15–18 Uhr.“
Statement: Man kann am Mittwochnachmittag zum Arzt gehen.
8. In a museum: „Fotografieren ohne Blitz erlaubt.“
Statement: Man darf im Museum fotografieren.
Answer key
- falsch: The parents visit Lena, not the other way round.
- richtig: „Wir können zusammen frühstücken.“
- falsch: Lena brings the rolls (Ich bringe Brötchen mit).
- b: Only the language school runs evening classes.
- a: 380 € including heating (warm). Text b is already over 400 €.
- richtig: Kinotag, so all films are only 6 €.
- falsch: Afternoon hours are only on Tuesday and Thursday.
- richtig: Photos are allowed, just without flash.
Common mistakes in A1 Lesen
- Answering from general knowledge. “Banks are closed on Sunday” may be true, but only the text counts.
- Matching words instead of meaning. A statement can repeat words from the text and still be falsch. Compare the whole meaning.
- Overlooking nicht or kein. Read each statement twice, once just looking for negation.
- Mixing up ab and bis. ab 9 Uhr = from 9 o’clock. bis 9 Uhr = until 9 o’clock.
- Misreading the subject. In German the verb is in second position. „Am Montag ruft mich Peter an“ means Peter is calling me.
- Spending too long on Teil 2. Two conditions checked is usually enough to decide.
- Forgetting the answer sheet. Answers left only on the question paper don’t count.
Weekly practice plan
- Daily (10 min): read three real German signs, menus or timetables online. Write one richtig and one falsch statement about each.
- Mon: Teil 1 from a mock exam, plus a short e-mail reply to the text (this trains Schreiben too).
- Wed: Teil 2. Practise the “eliminate” method against the clock.
- Fri: Teil 3, plus a vocabulary review of the table above.
- Weekend: the full Lesen and Schreiben block in 45 minutes in the exam simulator.
Next steps
- Try a complete A1 mock exam in Goethe or telc format.
- Train with a timer in the exam simulator.
- Learn the grammar and vocabulary behind the tests in the German A1 course.
- Other A1 guides: Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen.
FAQ
How many points do I need to pass Goethe A1 Lesen?
There is no separate pass mark for the Lesen section. At Goethe A1, each section’s raw score (out of 15) is multiplied by 1.66, and you need 60 of 100 points overall. You also need at least 35 points from the written part to take Sprechen. At telc Deutsch A1, you need 36 of 60 points in total. Always check the official provider for current rules.
How long is the A1 reading test?
About 25 minutes. In both exams it shares a 45-minute block with Schreiben, so you manage the time yourself.
Can I use a dictionary in the A1 exam?
No. Goethe does not allow dictionaries at A1. telc candidates should check the current telc rules, but plan to work without one.
What is the difference between Goethe A1 and telc A1 Lesen?
Hardly any. Both have three parts with the same task types and 15 items. The layout and the answer-sheet symbols differ slightly (telc uses + and –).