The Reading module is part of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam. Here you’ll find the structure, points, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the four parts.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Practice the same format you’ll see on exam day, get your score against official criteria, and see where you still need work.
Free to try · No account needed
Key takeaways
Reading is one of the four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam. You read simple everyday texts – emails, newspaper and internet articles, ads and short opinions – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 20 tasks in four parts. You have around 30 minutes for it.
At its core it’s about finding and understanding simple information: what is the text about? which ad fits? what does the person mean? You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize the important information.
The four parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you read short texts and decide true/false, in Part 2 you read an article and solve multiple-choice tasks, in Part 3 you find the matching ad for situations, in Part 4 you read short opinions and decide true/false. Practice them separately.
The texts are short and close to everyday life. The biggest hurdle is vocabulary and the pace across four parts – very doable with practice.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Short texts (T/F) | True/False | Understanding short texts | 5 | 5 |
| Part 2 – Article (MC) | Multiple choice | Detail comprehension | 5 | 5 |
| Part 3 – Ads | Ad matching | Comparing ads | 5 | 5 |
| Part 4 – Opinions (T/F) | True/False | Understanding opinions | 5 | 5 |
Read the statement or question first. That way you know what to look for in the text and read purposefully.
Look for the important information in the text – a name, a time, a price. You don’t have to understand every word.
For the ads, the ad must really fit the situation. Check place, time and offer, not just one matching word.
At A2 the answer is often in different words from the task. Look for the meaning, not the same word.
You have around 30 minutes for four parts. Don’t cling too long to one task and keep an eye on the clock.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your answers in good time, not in the final seconds.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Free to try · No account needed
In the reading part you’ll meet typical A2 texts:
The texts revolve around everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:
Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modellsatz – without time pressure, just to understand the structure.
Practice reading short emails and deciding true/false. Read the statement first.
Practice reading a short article and solving multiple-choice tasks.
Practice choosing the matching ad. Check that all conditions really fit.
Practice reading short opinions and deciding true/false.
Work through all four parts in one go in around 30 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
Look at every mistake: which word was missing? Review your weakest part specifically.
Four parts with 20 tasks in total: Part 1 (short texts, true/false, 5), Part 2 (article, multiple choice, 5), Part 3 (ads, 5) and Part 4 (opinions, true/false, 5).
The Reading module lasts around 30 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat A2, each module is timed separately.
Whether you understand simple everyday texts – emails, articles, ads and opinions. You should find the important information, not understand every word.
The three written modules reading, listening and writing are graded together – to pass you need at least 45 of 75 points (60 %).
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam.
Read short, simple German texts regularly and practice A2 vocabulary. At Prepliq you practice reading with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring; the interactive word list helps you lock in your vocabulary.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
Free to try · No account needed