Telc A2 Writing Topics and Exercises

Your Telc A2 Writing Exam in Detail

The A2 writing exam is one of the first key steps for learners who want to confidently use the German language in everyday situations. This exam offers a practical way to prove your writing skills without needing complex or academic phrasing. The focus is on clear, correct, and useful communication in written form.

What is the Telc A2 Writing Exam?

This exam is part of the Telc A2 format, which includes several sections. The writing component asks participants to complete two short writing tasks: a brief message (such as a note or reminder) and an email related to a typical everyday situation. The scenarios are realistic and may include invitations, appointment changes, or requests to official institutions.

Who organizes the exam?

The test is administered by Telc gGmbH, a non-profit educational organization based in Germany. Telc specializes in standardized language exams and collaborates with approved partners around the world. You can take the exam at licensed test centers or through authorized educational providers. Many candidates prepare for the writing section using online training tools or practice tests.

Who is this exam intended for?

The A2 exam is suitable for a wide audience: adults living in Germany, students abroad, and anyone who wants to document their language skills. It’s often taken as part of an integration process or when applying for a residence permit. Some also use the certificate when applying for training programs or jobs. For many learners, A2 is an important step toward the B1 level.

What is the purpose of the writing certificate?

Passing the writing test proves that you can respond appropriately in written German to simple, familiar situations. This is especially useful in contexts such as:

• writing a short absence notice for work or school
• informing someone about a schedule change
• replying to an invitation in written form

Clarity, tone, and structure are key elements in such writing tasks – not perfect grammar, but understandable and appropriate expression.

Structure and duration of the writing exam

The writing module takes approximately 30 minutes. It includes two core tasks:

• a short message or note based on a practical situation
• an email that responds to a given communication

You don’t need advanced vocabulary, but you should be able to write coherent and polite sentences using basic German. Other exam modules such as reading, listening, and speaking are assessed separately.

How is it different from the Telc B1 writing exam?

Compared to the B1 writing level, A2 is significantly easier in terms of complexity. At the B1 level, candidates must express opinions, make comparisons, and write longer, structured texts. A2 only requires short, simple sentences and no argumentation. The focus is on responding to specific prompts in a clear and functional way.

How is the writing exam evaluated?

All answers are assessed anonymously by certified examiners. Key criteria include:

• correctly addressing all aspects of the task
• grammatical accuracy and appropriate word usage
• clear structure and logical flow of ideas

To pass the exam, candidates must reach a minimum score – typically around 60 %. It’s especially important that both writing tasks are complete and relevant, including proper greetings and sign-offs where required.

Expert advice from Olena – with practical exam insight

Olena, founder of this platform, has over 15 years of experience in preparing learners for German exams. She designs all writing tasks and exercises in close cooperation with certified German teachers and examiners worldwide – from Europe to Asia. “A2 might seem simple,” she explains, “but writing shows whether someone really understands how the language works. It's not about being perfect – it’s about being clear and correct.”

Her materials are based on authentic scenarios, similar to those found in official exams. They are used by learners in more than 20 countries – both in traditional classrooms and online courses.

Insights from other experts and learners

Language coach Michaela P. advises: “Practice with real exam-style tasks and understand how the questions work – don’t just memorize phrases.” Examiner Jonas K. adds: “People often lose points by not fully answering the email prompt or skipping a key part of the message.”

Our users especially appreciate the realistic structure of our practice materials. “Thanks to your writing simulations, I knew exactly how to start,” says Aziz from Basel. And Maria from Wuppertal writes: “The examples were almost identical to what I had in the real test. That gave me confidence.”