Goethe-Institut Testing

Upcoming Test Session

Next test date: July 31st, 2026 A1-B1 only in this round.

Registration closes July 10, 3 weeks prior to exam date.

The GAI will be offering A1 through C2 Goethe-Institut tests in St. Paul beginning at 8:30 a.m. Testing will take place in person at the GAI Haus (301 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102).
If you need a test higher than B1, please email language@gai-mn.org

Register Here

The German tests offered by the Goethe-Institut correspond to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and range from level A1 for beginners to C2 for the most advanced language learners. Tests are typically offered quarterly in January, April, July and October, but dates may vary.

As an affiliate, the GAI partners with the Goethe-Institut for
language education and exams, cultural programs, and events.

Goethe Tests FAQs

  • The GAI offers testing for all levels four times a year: January, April, July and October. If you need to take the exam outside of our scheduled exam dates, please contact us to set up an individual appointment (additional fees apply).

  • Yes. All exams are administered onsite at the GAI (301 Summit Ave) and are proctored by trained and Goethe-Institut certified language examiners.

  • We encourage you to look at the mock exams of the Goethe-Institut to see which level is most appropriate for you. We also offer targeted tutoring for the exams.

  • Typically, exam takers will receive their results 4 to 6 weeks after the exam date. However, several parties at the GAI and the Goethe-Institut are involved and occasionally receiving the results may take longer. If you need your results by a certain day, please contact us beforehand to discuss options.

  • Conducting the exams is an immense administrative endeavor. In addition to paying a fee to the Goethe-Institut for each test taken, our proctors have to attend training sessions for each of the six levels and get recertified every five years for each test. Several hours of grading work go on top of the time spent with the candidates and a minimum of two proctors are involved in each test.

  • We offer TestDaf examinations twice throughout the year.

  • Unfortunately there is no one-fits-all answer to this question as this depends on the university and the program you are looking to enroll in. About 40% of German universities and colleges accept a C1 Goethe certificate for enrollment, others may have a higher requirement or only accept different exams. We recommend contacting the Akademisches Auslandsamt of the universities you are interested in to find out more.

  • There is no limit to the number of times the exam can be taken.

  • Please contact us at language@gaimn.org with any other questions. We are happy to help!