The Reading module is part of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. Here you’ll find the structure, points, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the five 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 B1 exam. You read everyday texts – a blog or a personal message, newspaper articles, ads, reader comments and rules – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 30 tasks in five parts. You have 65 minutes for it.
At its core it’s about different reading styles: sometimes you search for a specific piece of information (selective), sometimes you grasp the main point (global), sometimes the details. You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize what it’s about and what is meant.
The five parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you decide true/false on a blog, in Part 2 you solve multiple choice on two newspaper articles, in Part 3 you match people to suitable ads, in Part 4 you decide for/against on reader comments, in Part 5 you solve multiple choice on rules. Practice them separately.
The texts are longer and more abstract than at A2. The biggest hurdle is the time for five parts and the close reading in the matching and comment tasks – very doable with practice.
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Blog (T/F) | True/False | Understanding personal texts | 6 | 6 |
| Part 2 – Articles (MC) | Multiple choice | Detail comprehension | 6 | 6 |
| Part 3 – Ads | Ad matching | Comparing ads | 7 | 7 |
| Part 4 – Comments | For/Against | Understanding opinions | 7 | 7 |
| Part 5 – Rules (MC) | Multiple choice | Understanding rules | 4 | 4 |
Read the statement or question first. That way you know what to look for in the text and read purposefully.
Sometimes it’s about details (Parts 1, 2), sometimes the main point of a person (Parts 3, 4). Prepare for the task type in each part.
For the ads, the ad must really fit the person. Check place, time, price and wish – not just one matching word.
For the reader comments, what counts is whether the person is for or against. Watch for judgements, “aber” and “trotzdem”.
You have 65 minutes for five 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 B1 texts:
The texts revolve around everyday and social 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 Part 1 (blog, true/false) and Part 5 (rules, multiple choice). Read the tasks first.
Practice reading two articles and solving multiple-choice tasks.
Practice matching people and ads. Check that all conditions really fit.
Practice deciding for/against on opinion texts. Watch for judgements.
Work through all five parts in one go in 65 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
Look at every mistake: which word was missing? Review your weakest part specifically.
Five parts with 30 tasks in total: Part 1 (blog, true/false, 6), Part 2 (newspaper articles, multiple choice, 6), Part 3 (match ads, 7), Part 4 (reader comments for/against, 7) and Part 5 (rules, multiple choice, 4).
The Reading module lasts 65 minutes. In the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 each module is timed separately, and you can also take the modules on different days.
Whether you understand everyday and social texts – blog, articles, ads, comments and rules. Sometimes it’s about details, sometimes the main point or a person’s opinion.
Each module is scored out of 100 points. To pass the Reading module you need at least 60 of 100 points (60 %).
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam.
Read German texts in simple language regularly and practice B1 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