German examinations
Exam partners

Has your institution regularly held German courses over the last few years to prepare candidates for Goethe-Institut examinations? Are you interested in working more closely with the Goethe-Institut as an examination partner? Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions:

What types of contractual collaboration are available?

Authorised examination centres conclude a contract with the Goethe-Institut responsible: the institutions conduct examinations under the supervision of the Goethe-Institut and grade the examinations themselves. The Goethe-Institut orders the examination materials and issues the certificates.

Licensees conclude a contract with the Goethe-Institut Head Office. The institutions conduct examinations on their own: they order examination materials, organise examinations, grade papers and issue certificates. The Goethe-Institut exercises supervisory control.

What are the requirements of a potential examination partner?

• An application must be submitted by an institution (e.g. university, adult education centre, cultural organisation, language school etc.). The Goethe-Institut does not issue examination mandates to individuals.
• There is no Goethe-Institut and no other Goethe-Institut examination partner in the local area.
• The institution has offered German courses for some time, has appropriate sufficiently sized premises and can appoint an examination coordinator with a very good knowledge of German and professional qualifications.
• Examiners possess the necessary professional and linguistic qualifications.
• The institution has already established a trusting relationship with the Goethe-Institut over an extended period of time.
• The Goethe-Institut responsible is able to confirm this.

What examinations can the partner offer?

The Goethe-Institut issues licences and authorisations for all its examinations. At a later stage it is possible to extend a licence or authorisation to include additional examinations.

What does it cost?

There is no licence fee.

Examination fees apply uniformly throughout a country. Institutions acting as authorised examination centres pay part of this amount to the Goethe-Institut responsible to cover examination materials and certificates.

Licensees pay part of the examination revenue to the Goethe-Institut Head Office for all services such as examination material, certificates, professional development and consultation. A fee is payable on conclusion of the contract as stipulated by the Goethe-Institut responsible or the Head Office.

How does the Goethe-Institut support its examination partners?

Both the Goethe-Institut and the examination partner have a vested interest in ensuring that Goethe-Institut examinations are available as broadly as possible and conducted professionally. The supporting Goethe-Institut and the Head Office in Munich will regularly organise examiner training programs and seminars for examination coordinators. Partners are provided with current advertising and information material. There is an online study centre available to licensees for dialogue and information.

Where can I get more details?

Please consult your nearest Goethe-Institut.
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