If you live in Berlin and are learning German, you can take a language exam. With this exam, you can show how well you speak, read, listen to, and write German. For many purposes, you need to have a valid language certificate.
What language level do I need?
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For Naturalization
If you want to apply for German citizenship, you usually need a B1 certificate.
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For Apprenticeship
For an apprenticeship , a B1 level is usually required – preferably B2. It is not mandatory, but this level is important for vocational school and for work.
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For Work
German is also important at work. Only a few companies in Berlin operate entirely in English. The exact language level required depends on the job and the workplace. Many companies want to see a certificate or test your language skills during the job interview.
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For University Studies
If you want to study at a university, the university usually requires a C1 certificate. However, there are exceptions for programs taught in English.
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For Doctors (Physicians)
If you want to work as a doctor, you need not only a general C1 level but also a certificate in medical language. You can obtain this certificate, for example, by passing an exam at the Ärztekammer Berlin (Berlin Medical Association).
Welches Sprachniveau du brauchst, hängt davon ab, was du in Deutschland machen möchtest. Hier ein paar Beispiele:
What do the language levels (A1-C2) mean?
How do I get a certificate for my language level?
If you need to prove your German skills with a language certificate, you must pass a test. It is sometimes also called an “exam.” There are different providers for these tests, and they differ, for example, in price. Make sure to take the test with an official, recognized institution.
Here are examples of official language exams:
DTZ - Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (German Test for Immigrants) (A2-B1)
At the end of the integration course, there is the German Test for Immigrants. This test can help you later, for example, when applying for certain residence permits . To take the DTZ exam, you must have attended at least one module of an integration course. You can take the exam at a Volkshochschule if you have attended at least one module – with or without official admission to an integration course. The course must not have taken place more than one year ago. You can register at the advisory centers of the Volkshochschulen:
telc German (A1-C2)
This test is available at many language schools in Berlin and at the Volkshochschulen. Here you can find the exam centers where you can register in Berlin.
Goethe-Zertifikate (Goethe Certificates) (A1-C2)
You can take various tests here. They are useful, for example, for the recognition of international qualifications.
TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language) (C1)
The “Test of German as a Foregin Language” is accepted by all universities and higher education institutions. It is good preparation for studying in Berlin. You can take the test in Berlin or online.
Berliner Sprachtest für die Einbürgerung (Berlin Language Test for Naturalization)
For naturalization in Berlin, you can take the Berliner Sprachtest für die Einbürgerung as proof of your German skills. You can take the test at a
Volkshochschule
in Berlin. The certificate is valid only for the naturalization process in Berlin. Requirement: You live in Berlin. You must submit the certificate yourself to the Landesamt für Einwanderung (the State Office for Immigration) (LEA).
You can find appointments at the Volkshochschulen.
Registration I Berliner Sprachtest für die Einbürgerung
German Language Examination for University Admission "DSH" (C1)
Universities also offer their own tests as an alternative: a University's own language test. In Berlin, you can take the test at two locations:
Fachsprachprüfung Medizin (Medical Language Exam) (C1)
Requirement for doctors. Registration via the Berlin State Office of Health (LAGeSo).
Important
There is often a waiting period. Register early, preferably two to three weeks in advance, as exam places in Berlin fill up quickly.
What happens in the exam?
Most exams consist of two parts. The written part includes listening, reading, and writing. There is often a second part that focuses on speaking.
When registering, ask how the exam is structured and how many points you need to pass. Most language schools or test centers also offer practice materials. Here, for example, you can find information and practice materials for the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer or for telc (A2-B1).
How much do the exams cost?
The costs of the exams vary. The “German Test for Immigrants (DTZ)” at the end of an integration course is usually free. Telc exams cost around €100 to €200, depending on the language level , while exams at the Goethe-Institut cost about €120 to €250. The “Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF)” currently costs around €210. The Medical Language Exam costs about €450. The Berlin Language Test for Naturalization currently costs €75, but it is only valid for naturalization purposes and only in Berlin.
Do you have any questions? Here you can find free, multilingual support that suits you.
Locations in this map
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Counselling on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
*Counselling on general education and learning opportunities
*Advice on financing possibilities for education
*Application check, application workshops, support in the preparation of application documents
*Information on job offers
*Educational counselling for refugees
Brandenburgische Straße 86/87
10713 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Mon. 12:00 to 17:00
Tue.-Fri. 9:00 to 17:00 (or by appointment)
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] The target groups are:
- Entrepreneurs and employees of SMEs
- HR and training managers in SMEs
- Representatives of interests in companies
- The professional public
The advisory service includes:
- Advice on further training needs and qualifications for company employees (workplace situation, in-company qualification)
- Advice on possible vocational qualifications (individual company retraining, post-qualification, modular qualification with the aim of obtaining a vocational qualification while working)
- Advice on current funding opportunities, financing and their conditions
- Advice on the implementation of company training objectives, training needs analysis, further training strategy
- Advice on setting up and optimizing the "personnel and further training" management process
- Sensitization of companies for low-skilled and older employees as well as company health management
Karl-Marx-Str. 122
12043 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] On-site consultations throughout Berlin
in companies by appointment
Telephone advice for SMEs
Tel: 030 - 203 89 94 33
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Advice on education and careers for all people, including further education, educational opportunities, financing education, career guidance and development
Further focal points:
- Advice also for students, in the event of dropping out of university and/or professional reorientation
- Qualification advice also for companies/institutions in the health, care and social sector
Ziegelstraße 30
10117 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Appointments by arrangement
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Advice on the following topics:
- Training and further education
- Studies
- Internship, compulsory internship
- professional reorientation and reorientation, career entry and CV
- Individual location and skills analyses
- Professional integration of refugees and immigrants
- Recognition of foreign educational qualifications
- Funding, financing and help with applications (BAföG, upgrading BAföG, education bonus, etc)
- Career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development as well as flexibility)
- Catching up on a vocational qualification
- Voluntary services (FSJ, FÖJ, voluntary work, etc)
- Language acquisition and improvement
- Learning, learning methods and strategies
- Referral of specific advice requests to specialist institutions and bodies
Appointments by appointment also in and other locations (see website):
Herzbergstr. 33/34, House 3, 10365 Berlin
Wolfener Str. 32-34, House O, 12681 Berlin
Bernhard-Bästlein-Str. 3
10367 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Lichtenberg location:
Monday: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
09.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 16.00 - 17.00
(by arrangement)
Friday: 09.00 - 17.00 hrs
Locations Marzahn and Hellersdorf:
Appointments by appointment
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Advice on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
- Advice on general education and learning opportunities
- Advice on financing opportunities for education
- Application check, application workshops, support in the preparation of application documents
- Information on job offers
- Educational counselling for refugees
Karl-Marx-Straße 131
12043 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Neukölln location:
Monday to Friday
09.00 - 17.00
We are always closed on Wednesdays between 13:00 and 15:00.
Open consultation hours without appointment:
Wednesdays, at 9 a.m.
Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m. (Ukrainian)
Treptow-Köpenick location (Oberschöneweide):
Tuesday and Friday
09.00 - 17.00 with appointment
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] We offer you individual advice on the various routes to a vocational qualification and on qualification-oriented training. One focus of our advice is modular post-qualification. It offers you the opportunity to acquire a vocational qualification step by step via partial qualifications and to shorten the qualification period if previous vocational experience is recognized.
Advice on offer
- Individual specialist advice on acquiring vocational qualifications, partial qualifications that can be combined with vocational qualifications and advanced training.
- "Vocational orientation workshop" - Are you looking for a career change and not yet sure where you want to go professionally and where your strengths lie? In the workshop, we help you to identify your career-related skills and potential and to develop your career prospects.
- Information events and (group) consultations for participants in the "Qualification before employment" program
Salzburger Straße 15
10825 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map- Counselling on career change or reorientation, education and training and re-entry.
*Counselling on general education and learning opportunities
*Advice on financing possibilities for education
*Application check, application workshops, support in preparing application documents
*Information on job offers
*Educational counselling for refugees
Carl-Schurz-Straße 35
13597 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday - Friday 9-17
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Our advisory services and key topics:
- Advice on (initial and further) training
- Advice on professional (re)orientation and CVs
- Advice on career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Advice on employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development and flexibility)
- Advice on learning, forms of learning and learning strategies
- Advice on funding, financing and its conditions
- Mobile advice for refugees and immigrants
Scharnweberstr. 138
13405 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 19.00 hrs
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on map[DeepL:] Our advisory services and key topics:
- Advice on (initial and further) training
- Advice on professional (re)orientation and CVs
- Advice on career prospects and access to employment (career path, professional development, application strategy, etc.)
- Advice on employment and qualification (job situation, company qualification and career development and flexibility)
- Advice on learning, forms of learning and learning strategies
- Advice on funding, financing and its conditions
- Mobile advice for refugees and immigrants
Storkower Str. 158 (5. OG.)
10407 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday to Friday: 09.00 - 19.00 hrs
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on mapGutsmuthsstr. 23
12163 Berlin
Germany
BERATUNG Bildung & Beruf
Show on mapSilbersteinstr. 29
12051 Berlin
Germany
bridge – Berliner Netzwerke für Bleiberecht
Show on mapThe bridge networks offer a comprehensive range of vocational counselling and support services, job-specific German and qualification courses, and placement in internships and employment.
Offers of the GFBM:
- counselling and placement in German courses
- Qualification, training and employment courses
- language assessment
Colditzstraße 34-36
12099 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Appointments by appointment
Open consultation:
Wed 10:00-12:00
Thu 13:00-16:00
