Our exams

Please register online for the exam.

You will receive the exam results by mail no later than 4 weeks after the exam.

We recommend that you attend an information evening. You will receive information on the exam format and tips for the exam. The information evening is optional.

How to prepare for the exam

Information evening

Take part in an information evening at FMZ that provides information about the exam procedures, process and format. The focus is on the spoken and written sections of the exam.
The information evening lasts about 90 minutes (16.30-18.00) and takes place two to four weeks before the exam. It costs CHF 50.

Online practise materials

The Goethe-Institute offers a collection of practice materials for listening, reading, writing and speaking in preparation for the Goethe exams. We strongly recommend you look at the materials relevant to your exam level to familiarise yourself ahead of time.

Sample videos of the speaking module A1 - C2

Sample videos can be found on the YouTube channel "24 Stunden Deutsch".

Online assessments

Here you can get an idea of your level of German. The Goethe-Institute assessment gives you a general idea of how well you understand written and spoken German texts and at what level your grammar and vocabulary knowledge already is.

German course consultation

Make an appointment for a German course consultation if you are not sure which exam format (Goethe or fide language certificate) is right for you. The fee is income dependant CHF 10.-/20.- for 30 minutes.

Register for a pre-test assessment of your German language skills so that we can recommend the appropriate exam level for you. The fee begins at min. CHF 100.-.

Books

There are various practice and test books with audio CDs. to prepare for the exams. Klett-Verlag publishes the books "Mit Erfolg zum Goethe-Zertifikat ... " for the individual language levels and Cornelsen Verlag publishes "Prüfungstraining DaF: Goethe-Zertifikat ..."

Before the exam

• After registration reserve the whole day for the exam.
• 10 days before the exam day you will receive your exact exam times incl. location plan by e-mail. Please check date, time and address.

On exam day

• It is best to arrive by train as there is no parking in front of the building (see map).
• Please arrive according to the scheduled time provided on the exam schedule. Late arrivals cannot be admitted into the exam.
  

What do you need for the exam?

• A valid, original ID with photo (no copies or photos of the ID): passport, identity card (ID), driver's license or residence permit.
  Candidates without valid ID will not be admitted to the exam.
• Snacks and drinks for the breaks. There is no coffee or vending machine in the building. Only water is allowed in the examination room.
• Mobile phones and other electronic devices (including smart watches) may not be used during exams.
• Pens and notepads will be provided.
• There is a clock in the exam room.
  
  
  

After the exam

• You will receive the results by mail, no later than 4 weeks after the exam. No information about results will be provided over the phone or at the FMZ offices.

Dates and location

When do the Goethe exams take place?

We conduct Goethe exams 3 - 4 times a year. The A1/A2 and A2/B1 exams take place 4 - 6 times.

You can find an overview with the next dates and registration deadlines under "Dates and fees".

Where do the Goethe exams take place?

The exams take place at the Goethe-Institute's Exam Center Zug at the Fachstelle Migration, Chamerstrasse 50, 6300 Zug. This is near the SBB "Schutzengel" station in Zug.

Do the written and oral exams take place on the same day?

Yes, written and oral Goethe exams take place on the same day.

Registration and payment

Can I take the exam without having attended a preparation course?

Participation in the exam is not conditional on attending a prior language or preparation course, nor on having an existing lower-level certificate.

However, we recommend that you attend an information evening at our exam centre. Here you will learn the necessary language and exam-specific skills that will make taking the exam as easy as possible.

How do I register for an exam?

It is not possible to register by phone.

• You can register online.
• You can also register in person at the FMZ Welcome Desk, Chamerstrasse 50, Zug (bring ID and credit card or cash).

What happens after registration?

You will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail after successful submission of the online registration.

IMPORTANT: Registration is binding and obligates you to pay the fees in full (examination fee, administration fee and, if applicable, the fee for the preparation evening).

Please keep the whole exam day free until you receive the exam schedule.

The exam schedule will be sent by email 10 days before your exam date and will provide the exact time and location incl. site map.

Cancellation, postponement, illness

Can I withdraw from an exam and if so, how?

If you withdraw from the exam 20+ working days before the exam date, you will be refunded the exam fee, minus a processing fee of CHF 50.

Cancellation of registration must be made in writing by letter or e-mail.

Can I postpone or move my exam date free of charge?

A one-time postponement of the exam to a later date is free of charge (except in the case of fully booked exams) 15 - 19 working days before the exam date. A refund is not possible.

If you cancel 0-14 working days before the exam date, you will be charged 100% of the fees, a refund or postponement of the exam is not possible.

Cancellation of registration must be made in writing by letter or e-mail.

I am unable to take the exam due to illness

In the event of illness/accident, the exam may be postponed and taken at a later date. A medical certificate must be submitted within 10 days of deregistration. A refund is not possible.

Preparation

Where can I find practice materials for the exams?

Under "Preparing for the exam" you will find practice and information material for the Goethe exams at all levels.

What spelling is used in the exams?

In all Goethe-Institute exams, written examination performance is evaluated according to the spelling rules that have been in force since August 2006. The basis for this is "DUDEN- Die deutsche Rechtschreibung" (from the 24th edition 2006) and "WAHRIG- Die deutsche Rechtschreibung" (from 2006).

Exam day

Are there on-site parking spaces?

There are no parking spaces at the Fachstelle Migration.

However, you will find paid parking spaces nearby:

- at the "Hafen" harbour

- at the Bossard Arena

- at the Hertizentrum

You can reach us on foot from Zug train station in 10 minutes and from Schutzengel train station in 1 minute.

Are there any catering facilities on-site?

There are no catering facilities at the Fachstelle Migration or in the immediate vicinity (restaurants, Coop etc. are about 10 minutes walk away). Please bring your own drinks and snacks.

What do I need to bring for the exam?

A valid, original ID with a photo (no copies or photos of the ID): passport, identity card (ID) or residence permit.
Candidates without valid ID will not be admitted to the exam.

Mobile phones and other electronic devices (including smart watches) may not be used during exams.

Pens and notepads will be provided.

Food and beverages (except water) are not allowed in the exam room.

After the exam

When will I receive my exam results?

The exam results will be sent to all candidates within 4 working weeks by A-Post.

A1, A1/A2 and A2/B1 within 5 working days.

We do not give information about exam results by phone. It is not possible to receive the result earlier, even for an additional fee.

How many times can an exam be taken?

The exam can be repeated as a whole as often as you wish. The details, also regarding possible partial retakes, are regulated in the implementation rules of the respective exam (see www.goethe.de). The B1 and B2 exams are modular exams, which means that you can register for individual modules. The modules are reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

I need a certified copy of my certificate

Please contact a notary's office. As an exam centre, we do not provide certified copies.

I have lost my certificate, what now?

Generally, no duplicates are issued. However, if the exam was taken within the last 10 years, the exam centre where you took the exam may issue a replacement certificate for a fee.

Can I get a new certificate if my name changes?

In the event of a name change (for example, marriage, adoption, divorce, or similar), neither a new nor replacement certificate will be issued. A change of name can be proven by the corresponding official document (birth certificate, marriage certificate or similar) or by a certified copy. The name or spelling of the name will be recorded when registering for the examination according to photo identification at the examination centre. The exam certificate will be issued on the basis of this information.

How long is the certificate valid?

All Goethe-Institute certificates remain valid indefinitely. However, many institutions and employers require proof of language proficiency no more than two years old.