The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Schreiben module tests your ability to produce short, clear written communication in everyday German contexts. At A2 level, you are expected to write simple messages, fill in forms, and compose short notes or informal emails using basic grammatical structures and a core vocabulary of everyday words. This guide explains the exact tasks, scoring criteria, required formats, and how to prepare effectively.
Goethe A2 Schreiben: At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Module name | Schreiben (Written Production) |
| 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 | 3 tasks |
| Text types | Form completion, short informal message or email, short note or reply |
The Three Tasks in Goethe A2 Schreiben
Task 1 — Complete a Form or Registration (5 items, 1 point each)
You are given a form — a hotel check-in form, a sports club registration, a library card application, or similar — with 5 blank fields. You are also given information about a person (as a brief text or data card) and must enter the correct details into the form.
What it tests: Ability to read and extract relevant personal information and transfer it accurately to a form
Information types: Name, surname, date of birth, nationality, address, telephone number, email address, profession, arrival/departure dates
| Strategy | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Read the person’s information card carefully before looking at the form | Ensures you know what data is available before matching it to form fields |
| Write clearly and copy names and numbers exactly | Spelling errors on names and dates cost marks unnecessarily |
| Do not add information not mentioned in the data card | Only fill what the data card provides — invented information is penalised |
Task 2 — Write a Short Informal Message or Email (10 points)
This is the central and highest-value task. You are given a short situation (e.g., a friend’s message asking you something, or a simple scenario) and must write a short informal message or email of approximately 30–40 words. The task specifies 2–3 points you must address.
What it tests: Ability to communicate clearly in informal written German; address specific content points; use basic grammar and vocabulary appropriately
Typical scenarios:
- Your friend invites you to a birthday party — reply and confirm/decline
- Write a message to a neighbour explaining you will be away and asking for a favour
- Reply to a message asking you about a plan for the weekend
- Write an apology for cancelling a meeting with a colleague
Scoring breakdown for Task 2:
| Sub-criterion | Max Marks | What Is Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Content (Inhalt) | 5 | Did you address all required content points from the task instruction? |
| Language (Sprache) | 5 | Vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, sentence variety, coherence |
Task 3 — Write a Short Notice or Reply (if present in your exam version)
Some A2 exam versions include a third written task — a very short notice (Notiz), reply (Antwort), or message to be posted on a community board or left for a family member. This task is shorter (15–25 words) and carries fewer marks.
Key strategy: Follow the format exactly as specified (notice vs. email vs. reply), include a greeting if appropriate, and address all bullet points.
Essential A2 Writing Formulas
Informal Email / Message Structure
| Part | German Formula |
|---|---|
| Opening | Hallo [Name], / Liebe/r [Name], |
| Thank / acknowledge | Danke fuer deine Nachricht. / Vielen Dank fuer deine Einladung. |
| Main content | Address each bullet point from the task in 1-2 sentences each |
| Closing | Viele Gruesse, / Bis bald, / Mit freundlichen Gruessen, |
| Sign off | [Your first name or given name in the task] |
Key Grammar Features for A2 Writing
| Grammar Point | A2 Requirement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present tense | Correct conjugation for all persons | Ich komme, du kommst, er kommt |
| Modal verbs | koennen, muessen, wollen, moechten + infinitive | Ich kann leider nicht kommen. |
| Negation | nicht and kein used correctly | Ich habe keinen Termin. / Ich komme nicht. |
| Simple past (Perfekt) | haben/sein + past participle for recent events | Ich habe deine Nachricht gelesen. |
| Accusative case | einen/eine/ein for direct objects | Ich habe einen Freund besucht. |
Common Errors in Goethe A2 Schreiben
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Missing a content point from the task | Before writing, underline each required point and tick it off as you address it |
| Writing too short (under 25 words for Task 2) | Each content point should be at least one full sentence. Aim for 35-45 words. |
| Verb conjugation errors (du machst vs. du machen) | Write out the conjugation table for common verbs before the exam and know it by heart |
| Forgetting the greeting and sign-off | These are part of the text type. A message without “Hallo” and a sign-off loses format marks. |
| Incorrect umlauts (a instead of ae / oe / ue) | If writing by hand: practise umlauts. If typing: ensure keyboard is set to German. |
4-Week Goethe A2 Schreiben Preparation Plan
| Week | Focus | Daily Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | A2 vocabulary for writing topics (daily life, invitations, appointments) | Write 3 sentences per topic using new vocabulary |
| 3 | Informal message format and content point coverage | Write one timed 35-word message per day from official A2 sample prompts |
| 2 | Form completion (Task 1) accuracy | Practise extracting and entering data correctly from sample cards |
| 1 | Error review + final mock | One timed full Schreiben module; review all grammar errors |
-> Goethe A2 Horen (Listening) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> Goethe A2 Lesen (Reading) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> Goethe A2 Sprechen (Speaking) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
The Goethe A2 Schreiben module is one of the most formula-friendly parts of the exam. The format is consistent, the expected length is short, and the grammar required is elementary. Candidates who memorise the email template, practise addressing multiple content points in a single short message, and know their basic verb conjugations are well-positioned to score 12 or more out of 15.
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