Exercises for DTZ A2 exam

Your DTZ A2 Exam at a Glance

The DTZ A2 exam, also known as the German Test for Immigrants, was specifically developed for people who want to prove their language skills as part of an integration course. It follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and assesses basic language competencies at the A2 level, meaning simple communication in everyday situations.

Who organizes the DTZ A2 exam?

The DTZ exam is commissioned by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and conducted by three institutions: the Goethe-Institut, telc gGmbH, and g.a.s.t. (Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development). All three providers guarantee consistently high exam quality and unified assessment standards.

Who is the exam intended for?

The DTZ A2 exam is designed for individuals who need or want to prove their German language skills as part of an integration course. This includes:

• Immigrants who plan to settle permanently in Germany
• Participants in state-sponsored integration programs
• People who need language certification for citizenship or residence permits

What is the purpose of the DTZ A2 exam?

This test serves as official proof of basic German language proficiency. It is particularly important for integration verification, but also useful for professional orientation and everyday life in Germany. Those who achieve A2 or higher can use the certificate for formal applications or further education opportunities.

Structure and duration of the exam

The DTZ exam consists of two main parts:

• Written exam: about 100 minutes, covering listening, reading, and writing
• Oral exam: approx. 15 minutes, usually conducted in pairs

The tasks reflect real-life communication situations such as visiting the doctor, shopping, or talking to job center staff.

What is the difference from the B1 exam?

Compared to the B1 exam, the A2 level focuses on understanding and using short, simple sentences. The vocabulary is more limited, and the grammar requirements are significantly lower. Writing and speaking tasks are also simpler. The DTZ exam is modular: if you reach only A2, you get an A2 certificate; if you perform better, you receive B1.

How is it assessed and what is considered a pass?

The exam is considered passed if you achieve at least level A2. If you perform particularly well, level B1 may be confirmed. Each section—listening, reading, writing, speaking—is assessed individually based on standardized global criteria. The result is issued as a certificate that is officially recognized throughout Germany.

Expert tip from Olena

Olena, the founder of this platform, has been supporting German learners around the world for years on their path to passing the DTZ exam. She develops the online exercises together with experienced teachers and examiners from not only Germany, but also Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.

“The biggest challenge at A2 is often not vocabulary but sentence structure,” Olena explains. “Many learners know what they want to say, but not how to express it simply and correctly. That’s why we focus on sentence models, useful phrases, and real-life situations.”

Additional tips and feedback

German language instructor Tanja K. advises: “Pay attention to common topic areas like housing, shopping, health, and work. These are recurring in the exam.”

Users of our platform also report positive experiences: “By practicing with the online examples, I knew exactly what to expect,” says Farid from Cologne. “The solutions and explanations helped me understand my weaknesses.”

Recommendation for preparation

For a successful DTZ A2 preparation, we recommend the following:

• Regularly practice listening and reading comprehension with authentic examples
• Train common writing tasks like simple emails or filling out forms
• Practice speaking with typical phrases and everyday topics
• Use online tests with solutions for self-assessment

Our platform provides exactly what you need: structured exercises, commented examples, clear explanations, and real test scenarios – all designed for a stress-free and effective preparation for your German language exam.