A1
A1Absolute beginner
Basic words and phrases. Introduce yourself, order food and ask simple questions.
NO FEESResults in minutes
Free German level test
Find your German CEFR level in about 5 minutes. This short, no-pressure placement test places you anywhere from A1 (absolute beginner) to C1 (advanced), so your first class starts exactly where you are.
Why test your level first?
Why start with a German placement test
Start at the right level
Too easy wastes your money and too hard drains your motivation. Your result puts you where every class teaches something new but stays within reach.
Join learners at your level
Lingoda group classes have up to 5 students, all at the same CEFR level. You practice with people working on the same grammar, not someone years ahead.
Know your CEFR level
Get a result on the international scale employers, universities and immigration authorities use. It shows how far you are from the level your goal needs.
Take the test
Test your German now
Answer multiple-choice questions that get harder as you go, from A1 to C1. Pick the option that best completes each sentence, and skip nothing: an honest answer gives you an honest level.
- No fees
- About 5 minutes
The levels explained
What your German level means
About CEFR levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the international scale for language ability. It runs from A1 to C2 and describes what you can do in a language, not how many words you know. Lingoda teaches German from A1 to C1, and this test places you within that range.
A2
A2BeginnerHandle simple interactions. Talk about your routine, go shopping and handle short exchanges at work.
B1
B1IntermediateEveryday conversations. Handle most travel situations, give opinions and follow familiar topics.
B2
B2Upper intermediateExpress complex topics. Join work meetings, argue a point and follow the news.
C1
C1AdvancedProficient language use. Work, study and write in German with precision and nuance.
Placement test or exam?
Level test or official German exam: which one do you need?
This test tells you where to start learning. It is not a certificate. Visas, citizenship and university applications ask for an official exam, which you book separately with a recognized test provider such as the Goethe-Institut, telc or, in Austria, ÖSD.
Goethe-Zertifikat
Offered by the Goethe-Institut from A1 to C2. Tests reading, listening, writing and speaking. The A1 exam (Start Deutsch 1) is the usual proof for a family reunification visa.
telc and DTZ
Telc Deutsch exams run from A1 to C2. The Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ), taken at the end of an integration course, certifies A2 or B1 and is widely used for citizenship and settlement permits.
TestDaF and DSH
University exams for international students. Most German universities ask for TestDaF level 4 in every section or DSH-2, both around C1.
The level your goal usually asks for
Lingoda's CEFR-aligned classes prepare you for the level. For the certificate itself, you take the exam separately after your preparation.
- Family reunification visa: A1
- Settlement permit or German citizenship: B1
- Most professional roles in a German-speaking team: B2
- University admission in German: C1
Your level is just the start. Join 300,000 learners building real German skills.
Book live German classes at your level with certified, native-level teachers. Group classes of up to 5 students or private 1:1 lessons, all following the CEFR-aligned Lingoda Curriculum.
Frequently asked questions
A German level test is a short assessment that estimates your ability on the CEFR scale, from A1 (absolute beginner) to C1 (advanced) or C2. It checks grammar, vocabulary and reading through questions that get harder as you go. The result tells you which level to study next. It is not an official certificate, so it suits placement and self-assessment rather than visa or university applications. Lingoda’s German level test takes about 5 minutes and places you between A1 and C1.
Take a free online placement test like the one on this page. You answer 12 multiple-choice questions, get an instant CEFR level, and need no account. For a fuller picture, add a self-check against CEFR can-do statements: can you follow a work meeting, or only order food? Online tests measure grammar and reading well but not speaking. A live class with a certified teacher shows quickly whether your spoken German matches your test result.
About 5 minutes. The test has 12 multiple-choice questions and you see your CEFR level as soon as you finish. There is no time limit per question, so read each sentence carefully rather than rushing. Longer tests, such as 15-minute versions, sample more questions but measure the same skills: grammar, vocabulary and reading.
Yes. The test is free, you can take it as often as you like, and you need no account or payment details to see your result. Retake it after a few months of study to see your progress in CEFR terms. If you want to start classes at your level afterward, you can try Lingoda free for 7 days and cancel anytime.
Each question is mapped to a CEFR level from A1 to C1, and the questions get harder as you go. Your result is the highest level you answer consistently correctly, not your total score. That means a lucky guess on a hard question won’t push your level up. If two levels feel close, start at the lower one: reviewing familiar material for a week costs less than struggling through gaps for a month.
Accurate enough for placement, but not a full assessment. A short multiple-choice test measures grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension well. It cannot measure speaking, listening or writing, which is where many self-taught learners and expats score lower than they expect. Treat your result as a starting point. In live classes your teacher hears you speak and gives personalized feedback on exactly what to work on.
No. This is a placement test that shows you where to start learning. Official proof of German comes from exams such as the Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, DTZ, ÖSD, TestDaF or DSH, which you book and sit separately. Lingoda classes are CEFR-aligned: the international standard recognized by German authorities, the Goethe-Institut, telc and universities across Europe.
It depends on the permit. German citizenship and the settlement permit usually require B1, proven with an official exam such as the DTZ or a Goethe or telc certificate. A family reunification visa usually requires A1. Skilled workers often need B1 or B2 depending on the role, and university study in German usually needs C1. Rules change, so confirm the current requirement with the relevant authority before you book an exam.
For most everyday and professional purposes, yes. At B2 (upper intermediate) you can discuss complex topics, join meetings and speak spontaneously without much strain. You will still make errors and search for words on unfamiliar topics. C1 (advanced) is where German becomes precise and flexible enough for academic or senior professional use. If your goal is working comfortably in German, B2 is the usual target.
From zero, not realistically. Reaching B1 typically takes 250 to 350 total study hours based on CEFR guidelines, which in 3 months means more than 20 hours a week. With Lingoda Flex at 3 to 4 classes per week plus practice, most learners reach B1 in 8 to 12 months. If your test result is A2, B1 in 5 to 7 months is a realistic plan, and an intensive schedule can shorten it.
No, you can skip it. If you have never studied German, start at A1: the test would only confirm what you already know. The test is most useful if you learned some German at school, picked it up living in a German-speaking country, or used apps such as Duolingo or Babbel and want to know your real CEFR level before booking classes.
