Testing your German (CEFR)
Finding the right course takes three steps; Test your language level, then find courses for your level and then choose your pathway.
Step 1: Test your language level
Important, please read
These are indicative self-checks to help you choose a course, not formal qualifications or a substitute for a recognised proficiency exam. We do not run them and are not responsible for their content. Availability, cost and accuracy change over time. Our research is a starting point, and you will likely need to do some of your own. If in doubt, get in touch.
The test/s we have found:
The Goethe-Institut runs the official free German test, which is the most credible option since the Goethe-Institut is the body behind the recognised German exams.
"Test your German" gives a first orientation across the CEFR levels (A1 to C2).
It is free, online and takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
Please let us know if these links don’t work or you find a better test - this can help other students!
If you need formal proof
Should an employer or university ever ask for certified proof of your German, the recognised qualification is the Goethe-Zertifikat, offered by the Goethe-Institut at every level from A1 to C2 and reported directly in CEFR levels. It is a paid, formal exam separate from choosing a course with us.
Step 2: Find courses for your level
Now that you have your CEFR level, go back and find the courses available to you: find courses for your level at linguisttraining.com/whichcourse#findcourses.
Step 3: Choose your pathway
From there, choose whether you want to qualify as a Translator, an Interpreter, or both, and follow the pathway that leads to your recognised professional qualification.
Last reviewed: June 2026
You can also enrol on one of our Translation Practices to truly test your written language level. We provide an appropriate Source Text (often an exam past paper) that you translate, then one of our LanguagePartners will proofread it and provide guidance / scoring - it’s an excellent way of ascertaining your written translation level. Find these at linguisttraining.thinkific.com/collections/translationpracticegeneral.
