Making the best choice for your German language exam is one of the most important steps for those planning to move to Germany. You will need official certification to prove your language skills when applying to a top university, working as a nurse or joining your partner in Germany. There are two names that you will hear most often: Goethe and TELC. Many people wonder about which exam is better, Goethe or TELC, which exam has a cheaper cost, which one is easier or which one will be accepted by the German embassy.
In this guide, we will go through everything in the most straightforward way possible. We break down all differences between the two exams to allow you to compare them directly against each other and make an informed decision as to which exam is best for your future.
1. What are Goethe and TELC?
The Goethe Institute
The Goethe Institute acts as Germany’s “cultural ambassador.” It is a government-funded organization offering programs through many of its international centers, many are found in developing countries such as India, the United States, South Africa or China. People from around the world regard the GCSE (German Certificate Examinations) from Goethe as the most recognized and reputable certification of German skills.
TELC (The European Language Certificate)
The TELC German exam is managed by a privately-owned corporation with headquarters in Germany. Although TELC does not have its own schools, it partners with thousands of language schools; for example, a private language school or community college in Germany would likely have a cooperation agreement with TELC to conduct tests. The TELC tests are regarded by most people as equal in prestige to Goethe but have a different culture or “energy.”
2. Quick Review of Differences
To do a comparison here is a simple table comparing key features:
| Features | Goethe Institute | TELC |
| Where is it accepted? | Worldwide | Only in Germany or certain places |
| Type of exam | More formal and “book smart” | More hands-on and “real-world” |
| Parts to retake | Yes, individual modules can be retaken | Generally all written or oral exams must be retaken as a block |
| Frequency of exam | Less frequently, often only once a month | Very frequently, some locations even have exams once per week |
| Cost | More money | Less money |
| Who is it geared to? | Beginners and students going to university | Healthcare workers, professional workers, and employees |
3. Are the Certificates Accepted? (Acceptance)
The most important question you will have is: Will this certificate help get me my visa?
The answer is yes to both visa types; therefore, the certificate is valid for either.
For those pursuing a family reunion visa or a working visa, both TELC and Goethe should be recognized as valid by the German government (BAMF) as well as the German embassy. If one intends to study at a German university, they normally need to provide a C1 level of German proficiency, therefore both the TELC C1 Hochschule and Goethe C2 certificates will most likely be accepted by all German colleges/universities.
Ausbildung Requirements
If you want to work as a nurse or physician in Germany, the minimum proficiency required is B2 level; both TELC and Goethe will meet this requirement. TELC is very popular with medical professionals in that they offer “specialized nursing examinations” (i.e. Nursing). This option may be beneficial to some medical professionals.
4. Which exam is easier? (Exam Difficulty)
People often ask which exam is easy, Goethe or telc! The truth is that both exams have the same levels, A1 – C2, so you won’t be able to “cheat” any of the systems in order to choose an “easier” examination. You need to have knowledge of German in any case. However, there are differences in how they put you to the test.
Goethe: The Modular System
The Goethe exam is “modular,” meaning that your exam is made up of four separate components:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
The main positive aspect of this modular system is that if you’ve passed reading, listening and speaking, but have failed writing, you’ll only need to retake the writing component. The components you already have passed remain valid for a period of two years. Consequently, this takes away much of the pressure from students to pass all the modules at once.
Examining a TELC Exam through a Real-World Perspective
TELC exams will provide you with a real world experience by producing content on subjects that you would likely experience throughout your visit to Germany. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, complaints regarding broken heaters, conversations with your boss, and other similarly important topics. However, the scoring system used to grade a TELC exam is somewhat different than that of other types of exams. The scoring system uses two different blocks for grading the exam:
- Written Block (Includes Reading, Listening and Writing)
- Speaking Block (Oral)
In order to pass the exam, you must receive at least a 60 percent score in the written block as well as a 60 percent score in the speaking block. If you do not pass the writing block by any significant amount, you may be required to retake the entire written block (Reading and Listening as well).
Exam Fees: Which is Less Expensive?
While you’ll see many prices start to vary considerably between countries throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, etc., here’s how it generally works: if you go with a TELC exam, it tends to be the better value.
- Goethe: Premium brand name; therefore, pricing offsets the cost of doing business at high-quality sites and provides an examination standard beyond most countries and is typically more expensive. In Germany, for example, the cost of a B2 exam ranges between €190 and €250.
- Often due to high-volume, low-cost showrooms where you can take your TELC exam, they have greater potential for pricing competition. In Germany, the cost of a B2 examination has a typical lower range than the Goethe price of between €150 and €210.
NOTE: If you are in Germany taking an integration course, you may qualify for free funding to complete your TELC exam (this applies to both of the above-listed prices).
6. Nurses’ Best Option in Germany
If you’re a nurse planning on going to Germany to work, here are some things to consider.
The Goethe-Institut has a general B2 exam. This means that you may be asked to do an essay on various topics like the environment or technology. TELC offers a specific TELC Deutsch B1-B2 Pflege (Nursing) exam made for healthcare workers. Instead of writing about general topics, the TELC exam will ask you questions based on:
- How to communicate with a patient
- How to write reports regarding patient health
- Understanding instructions given by doctors
Many nurses who take the TELC “Pflege” exam believe they had an advantage because they already know half of the vocabulary (the medical terminology) used in their everyday practice. If you are a nurse, most likely you would be better off taking the TELC exam than the Goethe exam.
7. Waiting Time and Results
How quickly do you want your certificate? Please check below for timing on both:
Booking Your Test
- Goethe: Test dates fill up quickly, many cities have their dates booked 2 or 3 months ahead of time, so you need to reserve early to get a place.
- TELC: With so many schools offering TELC tests, you can search for a test within nearly 2 weeks; however, if you have a problem finding a test, you have plenty of time to book your test within 2 or 3 weeks after booking the date.
- Result Times
- Goethe: You can expect your result within 4-5 weeks after taking the exam.
- TELC: You will receive your result between 4 and 6 weeks after taking the exam, but if you pay an additional fee, you can receive your result sooner via express service from TELC.
9. Conclusions: Which one should you choose?
Let’s make it easy.
- If you are outside of Germany, choose GOETHE.
- If you want to find a Goethe center in your country, it’s definitely much easier than finding a TELC test center where you are currently living.
- If you like to take it step-by-step, because you can take just one part at a time so if you have any doubts on whether or not you can actually pass (Writing) just knowing that 1/5 of the way you have passed takes some of the pressure off
- If you want the “largest” name in language testing (the name Goethe is known worldwide by all test centers).
- If you are currently in Germany, choose TELC
- If you are a nurse and you want the specialized “Pflege” test, then you would want to take the TELC test for that.
- If you are in a hurry, you will be able to find a test date for TELC long before you would for GOETHE
- If you’re on a budget TELC will save you some money
10. Final Advice for Success
No matter what exam you choose, the key to passing is practice.
- Do Model Papers: Goethe and TELC both provide free practice tests on their sites. Download them and work through the papers with a timer.
- Understand the Format: The majority of people fail, not because of how poor their German is, but they never understood how to effectively answer the
- No Stress: If you do not pass one section, it does not mean the end of the world, you can always retake the exam.
Both the Goethe and TELC certifications will provide some keys that will help you unlock your new life. Choose what you are most comfortable with and get studying!!! Good Luck!
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