Reading seriesLast updated July 2026
Master Every Section of Your German Exam
Section-by-section strategy for Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, and Sprechen.
Facts in this series are cited to official sources. Exam formats, fees, and requirements change. Re-check the linked source before you plan around any figure.
Four skills, one exam. These guides break down each section of a German exam, Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, with the format at every level and the strategy examiners reward. Two practical extras cover formal vs informal letters and a calm exam-day checklist.
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Frequently asked questions
Which section is hardest?
For most candidates the productive sections, Schreiben and Sprechen, are hardest, because you cannot pass them by recognising an answer. You have to produce correct German under time pressure, which only improves with practice and feedback.
Do all levels have the same four sections?
Yes. Every level from A1 to C2 tests Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing), and Sprechen (speaking). What changes with the level is the length, difficulty, and task types, not the four skills themselves.