For the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Schreiben (Writing) exam, you don't actually write a long "essay." Instead, the test is divided into two practical tasks: an SMS (text message) and an E-Mail (formal or semi-formal letter).
Below are examples of exactly what you will encounter, based on standard Goethe-Institut practice materials. Part 1: SMS (Short Message)
In this task, you usually write a short message (approx. 20–30 words) to a friend or acquaintance.
Prompt: You are at the park and want to invite your friend, Sara, to join you. Ask if she has time. Say what you are doing. Mention how long you will stay. Sample Answer:
"Hallo Sara, hast du heute Zeit? Ich bin im Park und spiele Fußball mit Freunden. Ich bleibe bis 18 Uhr hier. Kommst du auch? Liebe Grüße, [Your Name]" Part 2: E-Mail (Formal/Semi-formal)
This task requires a longer text (approx. 30–40 words), often responding to an invitation or making a request. goethe zertifikat a2 schreiben
Prompt: Your neighbor, Mr. Müller, has invited you to a housewarming party on Saturday. Thank him and accept the invitation. Ask for the time. Offer to bring something (food/drinks). Sample Answer: "Sehr geehrter Herr Müller,
vielen Dank für die Einladung! Ich komme sehr gerne zu Ihrer Party. Wann fängt die Feier am Samstag an? Kann ich einen Salat oder Getränke mitbringen? Herzliche Grüße,[Your Name]" Key Tips to Pass
Address All Points: The most important rule is to write something for every bullet point in the prompt. If you miss one, you lose points.
Keep it Simple: At A2 level, examiners look for clear, basic sentences. Use connectors like und, aber, and denn. Check Your Greetings:
The writing section consists of two compulsory parts: For the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Schreiben (Writing) exam, you
| Part | Task Type | Time (approx.) | Points | |------|-----------|----------------|--------| | 1 | Form filling (e.g., registration, request) | 10–12 min | 5 | | 2 | Writing a short message/letter (30–40 words) | 15–18 min | 10 | | Total | | 30 min | 15 |
Note: A passing grade requires a total score from all sections, but writing should aim for at least 8–10 out of 15 points.
Hallo Anna,
ich möchte am Wochenende ins Kino gehen. Hast du Lust? Wir könnten am Samstagabend gehen.
Viele Grüße, Dein Max
Examiners use a holistic + analytic approach. For Part 2 (15 points), the score is distributed as:
| Criterion | Max Points | Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Task completion | 6 | All three bullet points are addressed. The text is relevant to the situation. |
| Coherence / Form | 3 | Correct greeting, appropriate closing, logical order of sentences, use of connectors (und, aber, denn). |
| Vocabulary | 3 | Sufficient range for A2. Words are mostly correct and appropriate for the context. |
| Grammar & Spelling | 3 | Basic sentence structure (verb second position). Correct conjugation of common verbs (sein, haben, gehen, kommen). Capitalisation of nouns and sentence-initial letters. |
Passing threshold: Candidates typically need 12 out of 20 points (60%) to pass this module. However, note that the overall exam (all modules combined) must be passed; individual modules can be retaken.
What happens? You will see a semi-completed form or a blank form based on an advertisement or message. For example: A concert announcement says there are still tickets. Below is a booking form. You must fill in your personal information: Name, address, date of birth, email, date of the event, number of tickets, etc.
Key skills tested:
Sample Task 1:
Sie wollen am Deutschkurs teilnehmen. Lesen Sie die E-Mail von der Sprachschule. Füllen Sie das Formular aus. Fields: Vorname, Nachname, Geburtsdatum, Nationalität, Kursbeginn (Datum), E-Mail Adresse.