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German Level Self-Test (A1-C1 Guide)

Updated 26 Oct 2026 2 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team
Cover: Start German self-test — find your level from A1 to C1, with sample greetings: Hallo, Danke, Wie geht's?, Freut mich
Short answer

This free self-test uses the CEFR can-do scale (A1 to C1) to help you find your German level and choose the right lesson to start with — no sign-up, just honest self-assessment.

On this page7 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01How to use this self-test
  2. 02Can-do checklist: A1 to C1
  3. 03Try it: can you follow these?
  4. 04Where to begin
  5. 05Start now
  6. 06Practice: place yourself
  7. 07Quiz

Level: A1 and up — this self-test covers A1 to C1. You don’t need an account or a score to start learning German. This page helps you place yourself honestly so you open the right lesson first, instead of guessing.

How to use this self-test

Work through the can-do checklist below from the top. For each level, ask: could I really do this, right now, without preparing? Your level is the highest band where you can say “yes” to most statements. When you are unsure between two levels, choose the lower one — it is quicker to move up than to rebuild shaky foundations.

Can-do checklist: A1 to C1

Read each level’s statement and tick it only if you can do it comfortably, in real situations — not just recognise the words. Your level is the highest one where you can honestly say “yes” to most of it. These descriptors follow the Council of Europe’s CEFR global scale.

Level You can…
A1 (beginner) understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases; introduce yourself, and ask and answer simple questions about personal details.
A2 (elementary) understand frequently used expressions (shopping, local area, work); handle short, routine exchanges on familiar topics.
B1 (intermediate) deal with most situations while travelling; produce simple connected text on familiar topics; describe experiences and give brief reasons.
B2 (upper-intermediate) understand the main ideas of complex text; interact with some fluency and spontaneity; write clear, detailed text on a range of subjects.
C1 (advanced) understand demanding, longer texts and implicit meaning; express yourself fluently without obvious searching; use the language flexibly for work and study.

Try it: can you follow these?

Listen and read these graded samples. If the first feels easy and the later ones are a stretch, that gap is roughly your level.

  1. Hallo, ich heiße Anna.
    A1 — greetings and introductions
  2. Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee, bitte.
    A2 — simple everyday requests
  3. Könnten Sie mir sagen, wo der Bahnhof ist?
    B1 — polite, connected questions

Where to begin

  • New or near-new (A1): start with the grammar backbone in order. Your first lesson is German Articles: Der, Die, Das.
  • Some German, want accuracy (A2-B1): go straight to the grammar points you are unsure of, and fill vocabulary gaps alongside.
  • Confident (B2-C1): use the lessons to tidy up specific weak spots, and practise with real German material (news, podcasts, books) for the rest.

Start now

Practice: place yourself

Practice

Find your level

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Match each ability to its CEFR level.

  • Introduce yourself with basic phrases
  • Handle routine shopping and travel talk
  • Describe experiences and give reasons
  • Follow the main ideas of complex texts
Show answer
  • Introduce yourself with basic phrases → A1
  • Handle routine shopping and travel talk → A2
  • Describe experiences and give reasons → B1
  • Follow the main ideas of complex texts → B2

A1 basics, A2 routine exchanges, B1 connected description, B2 complex texts.

2 You can order food, ask simple directions and chat about your day, but long articles are hard. You are roughly…
Show answer

A2-B1 — Coping with everyday situations but not complex text is around A2-B1.

3 Between two levels, which should you pick?
Show answer

the lower one, to keep foundations solid — Choose the lower band; it is easier to move up than to patch gaps.

Show answer

gate — Levels orient you; they don't lock the order.

Cheat-sheet card: CEFR levels A1 to B2 with a one-line ability for each

Where the CEFR levels sit at a glance.

Quiz

Check yourself

Placing your German level

8 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/8 0 answered
  1. 1What does this self-test measure?
    Show answer

    your rough CEFR can-do level — It places you on the A1-C1 can-do scale, not a precise score.

  2. 2Your level is…
    Show answer

    the highest band where you can do most things — Pick the highest band you can honestly act on, not just recognise.

  3. 3Which is an A1 ability?
    Show answer

    introduce yourself and ask simple personal questions — A1 is familiar everyday phrases and simple personal questions.

  4. 4Which is closest to B1?
    Show answer

    deal with most travel situations and describe experiences — B1 handles most travel situations and simple connected description.

  5. 5If a lesson feels far too easy, you should…
    Show answer

    move up to a higher point — Too-easy material means you can place yourself higher.

  6. 6For an official certificate, you should…
    Show answer

    sit the Goethe-Institut exam — Formal proof comes from the official exam, not a self-test.

  7. 7How often is it worth re-checking your level?
    Show answer

    every few weeks as you progress — Re-test every few weeks; your fitting level rises as you learn.

  8. Show answer

    study — Grammar backbone plus general study, run together.

Your German course

All German study topics

Vocabulary, pronunciation, phrases, practice and exam help, ordered by level. Pick a topic and go straight to it. New lessons go live every day, so topics marked Coming soon fill in over the next weeks.

Study topics

159 topics 2 ready now
Start here 6 topics · 2 ready
  1. 01 Start Learning German Here
  2. 02 German Level Self-Test (A1-C1 Guide) You are here
  3. 03 How to Use Flashcards for German Coming soon
  4. 04 Spaced Repetition Explained Coming soon
  5. 05 Top Mistakes German Learners Make Coming soon
  6. 06 Building a Daily German Habit Coming soon
Lessons 57 topics See the lessons page →
  1. 07 German: Greetings & Introductions Coming soon
  2. 08 German: Numbers 0 to 100 Coming soon
  3. 09 German: Introducing Yourself Coming soon
  4. 10 German: Days, Months & Dates Coming soon
  5. 11 German: Telling the Time Coming soon
  6. 12 German: Giving Personal Information Coming soon
  7. 13 German: Family Members Coming soon
  8. 14 German: Describing People Coming soon
  9. 15 German: Colours & Shapes Coming soon
  10. 16 German: Food & Drink Basics Coming soon
  11. 17 German: Ordering at a Cafe Coming soon
  12. 18 German: Shopping & Prices Coming soon
  13. 19 German: Clothing & Sizes Coming soon
  14. 20 German: Asking for Directions Coming soon
  15. 21 German: Using Public Transport Coming soon
  16. 22 German: At the Hotel Coming soon
  17. 23 German: Weather & Seasons Coming soon
  18. 24 German: Hobbies & Free Time Coming soon
  19. 25 German: Daily Routine Coming soon
  20. 26 German: Housing & Rooms Coming soon
  21. 27 German: Household Chores Coming soon
  22. 28 German: At the Doctor Coming soon
  23. 29 German: Parts of the Body Coming soon
  24. 30 German: Emotions & Feelings Coming soon
  25. 31 German: Making Appointments Coming soon
  26. 32 German: Making Plans & Invitations Coming soon
  27. 33 German: Phone & Messaging Coming soon
  28. 34 German: Expressing Opinions Coming soon
  29. 35 German: Talking About Past Experiences Coming soon
  30. 36 German: Future Plans & Goals Coming soon
  31. 37 German: School & Education Coming soon
  32. 38 German: Jobs & Professions Coming soon
  33. 39 German: At the Office Coming soon
  34. 40 German: The Job Interview Coming soon
  35. 41 German: Formal Writing & Emails Coming soon
  36. 42 German: Money & Banking Coming soon
  37. 43 German: Restaurant & Dining Out Coming soon
  38. 44 German: Supermarket & Groceries Coming soon
  39. 45 German: Travel & the Airport Coming soon
  40. 46 German: Sightseeing & Tourism Coming soon
  41. 47 German: Emergencies & Safety Coming soon
  42. 48 German: Technology & the Internet Coming soon
  43. 49 German: News & Current Affairs Coming soon
  44. 50 German: Environment & Nature Coming soon
  45. 51 German: Health & Lifestyle Coming soon
  46. 52 German: Culture & Traditions Coming soon
  47. 53 German: Describing Trends & Data Coming soon
  48. 54 German: Debating & Argumentation Coming soon
  49. 55 German: Idioms & Colloquialisms Coming soon
  50. 56 German: Formal vs Informal Register Coming soon
  51. 57 German: Storytelling & Narration Coming soon
  52. 58 German: Complaints & Solving Problems Coming soon
  53. 59 German: Giving a Short Presentation Coming soon
  54. 60 German: Small Talk & Networking Coming soon
  55. 61 German Modal Particles (doch, mal, ja) Coming soon
  56. 62 Writing Formal Emails in German Coming soon
  57. 63 Word Order: Time-Manner-Place Coming soon
Vocabulary 46 topics See the vocabulary page →
  1. 64 100 Most Common German Words Coming soon
  2. 65 German Words 101-250 (Frequency) Coming soon
  3. 66 German Words 251-500 (Frequency) Coming soon
  4. 67 German Words 501-1000 (Frequency) Coming soon
  5. 68 German Words 1001-1500 (Frequency) Coming soon
  6. 69 German Words 1501-2000 (Frequency) Coming soon
  7. 70 German Words 2001-3000 (Frequency) Coming soon
  8. 71 100 Essential German Verbs Coming soon
  9. 72 Common German Adjectives Coming soon
  10. 73 Everyday German Adverbs Coming soon
  11. 74 German Connectors & Linking Words Coming soon
  12. 75 German Question Words & Phrases Coming soon
  13. 76 German Time Expressions Coming soon
  14. 77 German Food & Cooking Vocabulary Coming soon
  15. 78 German Animals Vocabulary Coming soon
  16. 79 German Body & Health Vocabulary Coming soon
  17. 80 German Clothing Vocabulary Coming soon
  18. 81 German House & Furniture Vocabulary Coming soon
  19. 82 German Kitchen & Tableware Vocabulary Coming soon
  20. 83 German Transport & Travel Vocabulary Coming soon
  21. 84 German Places in Town Vocabulary Coming soon
  22. 85 German Nature & Geography Vocabulary Coming soon
  23. 86 German Weather Vocabulary Coming soon
  24. 87 German Jobs & Professions Vocabulary Coming soon
  25. 88 German Technology & Internet Vocabulary Coming soon
  26. 89 German Money & Shopping Vocabulary Coming soon
  27. 90 German Emotions & Feelings Vocabulary Coming soon
  28. 91 German Sports & Exercise Vocabulary Coming soon
  29. 92 German Education & School Vocabulary Coming soon
  30. 93 German Business & Work Vocabulary Coming soon
  31. 94 German Family & Relationships Vocabulary Coming soon
  32. 95 German Colours Vocabulary Coming soon
  33. 96 German Verbs of Motion Coming soon
  34. 97 German Opinion & Attitude Vocabulary Coming soon
  35. 98 German Academic Vocabulary Coming soon
  36. 99 German Medical & Pharmacy Vocabulary Coming soon
  37. 100 German Admin & Paperwork Vocabulary Coming soon
  38. 101 German Environment & Climate Vocabulary Coming soon
  39. 102 German Arts, Music & Film Vocabulary Coming soon
  40. 103 German Noun Gender Patterns Coming soon
  41. 104 German Case Endings Reference Coming soon
  42. 105 German Strong & Irregular Verbs Coming soon
  43. 106 German Separable & Inseparable Prefixes Coming soon
  44. 107 German-English False Friends Coming soon
  45. 108 German Numbers, Dates & Money Coming soon
  46. 109 German Connectors for Writing Coming soon
Pronunciation & writing 10 topics See the pronunciation & writing page →
  1. 110 German Pronunciation Overview Coming soon
  2. 111 The German Alphabet & Umlauts Coming soon
  3. 112 German Vowels: Long vs Short Coming soon
  4. 113 German Umlauts (ä ö ü) & ß Coming soon
  5. 114 Tricky German Consonants (ch, r, z, w, v) Coming soon
  6. 115 German Consonant Clusters (sch, sp, st, pf) Coming soon
  7. 116 German Word Stress Coming soon
  8. 117 German Spelling & Capitalisation Rules Coming soon
  9. 118 German Final Devoicing (Auslautverhärtung) Coming soon
  10. 119 German Intonation & Rhythm Coming soon
Practice 9 topics See the practice page →
  1. 120 Shadowing to Improve German Speaking Coming soon
  2. 121 How to Practise German Listening Coming soon
  3. 122 German Reading Practice: Beginner Coming soon
  4. 123 German Reading Practice: Elementary Coming soon
  5. 124 German Reading Practice: Intermediate Coming soon
  6. 125 German Reading Practice: Upper-Intermediate Coming soon
  7. 126 How to Practise German Writing Coming soon
  8. 127 German Two-Way Prepositions Practice Coming soon
  9. 128 German Adjective Endings Practice Coming soon
Phrases 20 topics See the phrases page →
  1. 129 50 German Survival Phrases Coming soon
  2. 130 German Greetings & Goodbyes Coming soon
  3. 131 German Politeness & Please/Thank-You Coming soon
  4. 132 German Travel Phrases Coming soon
  5. 133 German Restaurant Phrases Coming soon
  6. 134 German Hotel Phrases Coming soon
  7. 135 German Shopping Phrases Coming soon
  8. 136 German Asking Directions Phrases Coming soon
  9. 137 German Emergency Phrases Coming soon
  10. 138 German Small Talk Phrases Coming soon
  11. 139 German Phone & Call Phrases Coming soon
  12. 140 German Business Meeting Phrases Coming soon
  13. 141 German Social & Making-Friends Phrases Coming soon
  14. 142 German Airport Phrases Coming soon
  15. 143 German Doctor & Pharmacy Phrases Coming soon
  16. 144 German Opinion & Discussion Phrases Coming soon
  17. 145 German Agreeing & Disagreeing Phrases Coming soon
  18. 146 German Texting & Chat Phrases Coming soon
  19. 147 German Classroom Phrases Coming soon
  20. 148 German Complaint & Problem Phrases Coming soon
Exams 11 topics See the exams page →
  1. 149 German Exams: Which One & How to Prepare Coming soon
  2. 150 Goethe-Zertifikat: Levels & Format Coming soon
  3. 151 Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1) Coming soon
  4. 152 Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Coming soon
  5. 153 Goethe-Zertifikat B1 Coming soon
  6. 154 Goethe-Zertifikat B2 Coming soon
  7. 155 Goethe-Zertifikat C1 Coming soon
  8. 156 Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS) Coming soon
  9. 157 telc Deutsch Exams Explained Coming soon
  10. 158 TestDaF: University Entrance German Coming soon
  11. 159 DSH: German for University Admission Coming soon