In short: what is the Goethe A1 Schreiben module?
Everything you need to know about the Goethe A1 writing exam: the form task, the short message, and how each part is graded.
What the A1 Schreiben module tests
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 exam confirms that a candidate can communicate in a simple way and handle very basic personal information in German. The overall exam has four parts — Hören (listening), Lesen (reading), Schreiben (writing), and Sprechen (speaking) — and the Schreiben module is designed to check whether you can complete a simple form and write a very short personal message about an everyday situation.
Structure of the A1 writing exam
The A1 writing module has two parts:
- Teil 1 – Formular ausfüllen (Fill out a form): You're given a short text describing a situation and a form with gaps. You fill in the missing information using details taken from the text.
- Teil 2 – Kurzer persönlicher Text (Short personal text): You write a brief message — such as a postcard, short letter, fax, or email — reacting to an everyday situation. The official model exam shows this task can be as short as around 30 words.
How to answer each part
Teil 1 (the form):
- Read the short introductory text carefully first — every answer you need is in there.
- Copy information exactly as it appears (names, numbers, dates) — don't try to rephrase it.
- Check that each blank matches the type of information the form label is asking for (e.g., don't put a date where it asks for a phone number).
Teil 2 (the short message):
- Identify exactly what the task asks — official A1 writing tasks ask for or give simple information.
- Use simple, memorized sentence patterns: greetings ("Hallo," "Liebe/r..."), self-introduction ("Ich heiße...", "Ich komme aus..."), and a closing ("Viele Grüße").
- Short, correct sentences score better than long, incorrect ones at this level.
- Stick closely to the required word count.
Common mistakes (based on official assessment criteria)
- Missing required information — leaving out one of the pieces of information the task explicitly asks for.
- Copying information incorrectly from the form task in Teil 1.
- Word order errors in basic sentences (verb not in second position).
- Skipping the greeting or closing in the personal message.
Official Goethe-Institut sources
Practise your A1 writing now — free
Try the AI Writing Correction tool for instant Goethe-style feedback, or open the A1 free sample exams to practise on real task types.
FAQ — Goethe A1 writing
How long is the Goethe A1 Schreiben module?
The official Goethe-Zertifikat A1 writing module timing and word counts are set by the Goethe-Institut and are summarised in this guide. Practise with realistic prompts on the A1 free samples page.
How is the Goethe A1 writing exam graded?
Examiners score task completion, communicative design, and linguistic accuracy (vocabulary, grammar, spelling). Small errors that do not block understanding are tolerated more at lower levels.
Can I get my A1 writing corrected online?
Yes — Goethi's AI Writing Correction gives you Goethe-style feedback with highlights for grammar, structure, and word choice, so you can see exactly what to fix before the exam.