The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Lesen module tests your ability to read and understand short, everyday German texts — notices, advertisements, emails, signs, and simple articles. At A2 level, you are expected to find specific information in familiar, concrete contexts. This guide covers every task in the A2 Lesen module, how marks are allocated, and the most effective strategies to maximise your score.
Goethe A2 Lesen: At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Module name | Lesen (Reading Comprehension) |
| CEFR level | A2 — Elementary |
| Total marks | 15 points (out of 60 for the full A2 exam) |
| Pass mark | Minimum 60% overall (36/60); no individual module minimum at A2 |
| Duration | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Number of tasks | 4 tasks |
| Text types | Notices, advertisements, short emails, signs, short articles, forms |
| Answer format | Multiple choice (a/b/c), matching, true/false/not mentioned |
The Four Tasks in Goethe A2 Lesen
Task 1 — Matching Notices to People or Situations (5 items, 1 point each)
You are given five short notices or advertisements (e.g., a course advertisement, a shop notice, a community bulletin board post) and five people or situations. You must match each person to the most relevant notice.
What it tests: Ability to scan multiple short texts for specific relevant information; matching reader needs to available information
Text types: Community centre course listings, holiday apartment ads, shop opening hour signs, service notices
| Strategy | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Read the person descriptions first, then scan notices for keywords | Saves time — you are searching with a purpose rather than reading everything first |
| One notice can be correct for multiple people; one may be correct for none | Do not assume each notice matches exactly one person — read the task instructions carefully |
| Cross out notices you have already used if the task allows only one use per notice | Reduces options and speeds up elimination |
Task 2 — Reading a Short Article or Report (5 items, 1 point each)
You read a short informational text (approximately 150–200 words) — a simple magazine article, a newspaper snippet, or a factual report — and answer five multiple-choice questions.
What it tests: Detailed reading comprehension; distinguishing between similar-sounding details; understanding the main idea and specific facts
Common topics: A person’s job or hobby, a local event, a travel description, a simple product review, a school or community programme
Key strategy: Read the questions before the article. This tells you exactly what details to look for. Answer as you read — do not try to remember the whole text.
Task 3 — True / False / Not Mentioned (3 items, 1 point each)
You read a short text and decide for each of three statements whether it is Richtig (true), Falsch (false), or Nicht im Text (not mentioned).
Critical distinction: “Not mentioned” means the text contains no information on this point — neither confirming nor denying it. This is different from “false.”
| Statement Type | How to Identify | Common Error |
|---|---|---|
| Richtig (True) | Text directly confirms the claim (even in different words) | Accepting paraphrases that change the meaning |
| Falsch (False) | Text directly contradicts the claim | Confusing absence of information with contradiction |
| Nicht im Text (Not mentioned) | Topic is not addressed anywhere in the text | Marking as false when the text simply does not cover it |
Task 4 — Reading Short Practical Texts (2 items, 1 point each)
You read two very short texts — SMS messages, chat messages, short signs, or brief instructions — and answer one multiple-choice question about each.
What it tests: Understanding the communicative purpose of very short, practical written messages
Key strategy: The answer is almost always embedded in one or two specific words or phrases. Identify what the sender wants, what the sign instructs, or what the message is about — the question tests this directly.
Full Task Map with Marks
| Task | Text Type | Items | Marks | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notices / advertisements (matching) | 5 | 5 | Matching |
| 2 | Short article or report | 5 | 5 | MCQ (a/b/c) |
| 3 | Short factual text | 3 | 3 | True/False/Not mentioned |
| 4 | SMS / sign / short message | 2 | 2 | MCQ (a/b/c) |
| Total | 15 | 15 |
A2-Level Vocabulary Areas for Reading
| Topic Area | Key Vocabulary Examples |
|---|---|
| Daily routine | aufstehen, fruehstuecken, zur Arbeit gehen, Mittagspause, einkaufen, schlafen |
| Shopping and services | Oeffnungszeiten, Sonderangebot, ausverkauft, Kasse, Preisschild, bestellen |
| Health and appointments | Termin, Arztpraxis, Rezept, Wartezimmer, Krankenversicherung, Sprechstunde |
| Housing and neighbourhood | Wohnung, mieten, Vermieter, Nachbar, Klingel, Hausordnung, Muell |
| Transport and travel | Abfahrt, Ankunft, Verspaetung, Gleis, umsteigen, Fahrkarte, Reservierung |
Common Errors in Goethe A2 Lesen
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Confusing “Falsch” with “Nicht im Text” | Ask yourself: does the text say anything about this? If no — it’s not mentioned. If yes but differently — it may be false. |
| Reading the full text before the questions | Always read questions first — it saves time and focuses your reading |
| Choosing the option with the most familiar words | Distractors deliberately repeat vocabulary from the text in misleading combinations |
| Running out of time on Task 2 | Budget 10 minutes for Task 2 — it is the longest text. Spend 5 min on Tasks 1, 3, 4 each. |
Preparation Plan: 4 Weeks to A2 Lesen
| Week | Focus | Daily Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | A2 reading vocabulary by topic | Read 1 short German text per day (DW Learn German, Schubert Verlag A2) |
| 3 | Task 1 matching and Task 3 T/F/NM drills | Official Goethe A2 sample Lesen tasks (goethe.de) |
| 2 | Full timed Lesen module mocks | Complete one full Lesen module in 30 min; review errors |
| 1 | Error consolidation | Re-read all wrong Task 2 answers; practise T/F/NM judgement |
-> Goethe A2 Horen (Listening) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> Goethe A2 Schreiben (Writing) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> Goethe A2 Sprechen (Speaking) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
The Goethe A2 Lesen rewards candidates who read with purpose. By reading the questions first, focusing on specific information, and understanding the critical distinction between “false” and “not mentioned,” you can consistently score above the minimum required. Systematic practice with official sample tests and an A2-level vocabulary base built around everyday topics is all you need.
Ready to practice?