Goethe Zertifikat A2 SCHREIBEN | Written Part
In the Goethe A2 writing exam only one piece of paper counts: the answer sheet, the Antwortbogen. If you write your texts somewhere else and do not copy them over, you get zero points. Johannes shows you the structure of the SCHREIBEN part, writes a model message and a model email with you, and ends with tips for managing your 30 minutes.
How the A2 Writing Exam Is Structured
- Teil 1: an informal text message, for example to a friend (think of a WhatsApp message). You write 20 to 30 words.
- Teil 2: a formal email, for example to your boss or to a hotel. You write 30 to 40 words.
- Time: 30 minutes for both parts together.
Both tasks are on the same sheet. Each one starts with a situation and a task, followed by three points you have to include (drei Inhaltspunkte).
Teil 1: An Informal Text Message
Example task: Your friend Lars has invited you to his birthday party. Write him a text message. Include three things: (1) inform him that you cannot come, (2) write why, (3) suggest a meeting.
A model answer, which is the version Johannes writes in the video:
Lieber Lars,
ich würde gerne kommen. Leider muss ich dir aber absagen, weil ich am Wochenende arbeiten muss. Hast du vielleicht am Mittwochabend Zeit?
Liebe Grüße
Johannes
The first two sentences cover points 1 and 2 together, the question covers point 3. Johannes adds one more sentence in the video to be sure to reach the 20 to 30 words. Do not forget the greeting at the beginning (Lieber Lars, or Liebe Maria for a woman) and an informal closing such as Liebe Grüße (short: LG), Bis bald or Bis dann. Missing it costs points.
Teil 2: A Formal Email
Example task: You booked a single room in a hotel for two nights. Now you want to stay longer and need a double room. Write an email to Frau Deite from the hotel. Include: (1) explain why you write, (2) say how long you want to stay, (3) ask for the new price.
Sehr geehrte Frau Deite,
ich habe gestern ein Einzelzimmer für zwei Nächte gebucht. Jetzt möchte meine Frau mitkommen und wir würden gerne einen Tag länger bleiben. Haben Sie noch ein Doppelzimmer für drei Nächte frei? Und was kostet es?
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Markus Weinbach
The second and third sentence together explain why you write and how long you stay. The extra sentence about the double room makes sure everything is clear, and the last question asks for the price. For a man, change the salutation to Sehr geehrter Herr ....
The Answer Sheet Rule
If you did not write directly on the Antwortbogen, you must copy both texts onto it. The people at the Goethe-Institut only grade this sheet. You can write directly on it if you are good at writing. If you need to cross things out and rewrite, use the preparation paper first and transfer the text when you are done.
Tips and Tricks
1. Time: bring a watch
You cannot bring your phone, so bring a wristwatch or a digital clock. Johannes recommends at most 10 minutes for Teil 1 and 20 minutes for Teil 2, because the formal email needs a more structured text. Writing to a friend can be less structured and is easier.
2. Sentence structure
At A1 nobody minds if every sentence starts with the subject (Ich habe, Ich bin, Ich kann). At A2 you should use what you have learned: main clause connectors such as deshalb, aber and dann, and subordinate clause conjunctions such as weil and wenn. This earns extra points.
3. Proofreading
If you have a minute or two left, check three things: Is every verb in the right place? Does the verb match the subject? Are all nouns written with a capital letter?
Johannes also says that the texts in the video are an ideal version. If you cannot write exactly like this, that is fine: you can still pass if you know the words and grammar of A2.
What to Learn Next
Speaking is the other half of this exam: read how to pass the SPRECHEN (speaking) part. For the connectors you need in your texts, see how to use deshalb and how to use weil. If you need to practice from the beginning, the A1 SCHREIBEN lesson shows the easier A1 format.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many parts does the Goethe A2 writing exam have?
Two. Teil 1 is an informal text message of 20 to 30 words and Teil 2 is a formal email of 30 to 40 words. You have 30 minutes for both.
What are the three Inhaltspunkte?
Each task lists three points that you must include in your text, for example to say that you cannot come, to say why and to suggest a meeting. Cover every point.
Do I have to copy my text to the Antwortbogen?
Yes. Only the answer sheet is graded. If you wrote on another paper, transfer your complete text to the Antwortbogen, otherwise you get zero points.
How should I split my time in the A2 writing exam?
Johannes recommends at most 10 minutes for Teil 1 and 20 minutes for Teil 2, because the formal email is more structured. Bring a watch that is not your phone.
Which words earn extra points in the A2 writing exam?
Connectors that show you are past A1, such as deshalb, aber and dann for main clauses and weil and wenn for subordinate clauses.
All words and grammar in the exam texts belong to A2. If you want to learn this level properly, our A2 German online course follows a book and includes worksheets, listening and reading comprehension.
