A German language certificate from Examinizer shows your CEFR level, from A1 to C2, based on a 25-question adaptive test you take online. Grammar, vocabulary, and reading questions adjust in difficulty as you answer, placing you at your actual level in about 25 minutes. Your result appears instantly, and a PDF certificate with a QR verification code costs €8.
What the Certificate Proves
The certificate states a single CEFR level for your general German ability, drawn from how you performed across grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension during the adaptive test. It does not split your result into separate scores for speaking, writing, listening, and reading the way TestDaF does. Instead, it gives one clear number on the six-point CEFR scale.
Every certificate carries a QR code linking to a verification page, so anyone who receives your PDF can confirm Examinizer issued it and check the date. This matters because recruiters increasingly check documents before trusting them, and a working verification link separates a genuine result from an edited screenshot.
Who Accepts It
Recruiters and hiring managers use it as a quick screening signal on a CV or LinkedIn profile, particularly for roles where German is useful but not the core requirement. Language schools sometimes use it to place new students in the right starting class, and it works as your own reference point before you book an official exam.
It is not a substitute for the Goethe-Institut exams, TestDaF, or telc in any situation where a university, employer, or immigration office names one of those exams as a requirement. Those exams carry institutional accreditation that German authorities are bound to trust; Examinizer does not. If a visa application or job posting names an accredited German exam, this certificate will not satisfy it, whatever your score.
How to Get It
- Take the free adaptive German test: 25 questions, about 25 minutes, no registration required.
- See your CEFR level instantly on screen as soon as you finish the last question.
- Pay €8 to download the PDF certificate with your name, level, and QR verification code.
No registration required to take the test
CEFR Levels Explained
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner — understands and uses basic phrases for everyday needs |
| A2 | Elementary — handles simple, routine tasks and short exchanges |
| B1 | Intermediate — manages most situations while traveling or at work |
| B2 | Upper-Intermediate — converses fluently on familiar topics with ease |
| C1 | Advanced — communicates fluently and spontaneously on complex subjects |
| C2 | Proficiency — understands virtually everything with near-native precision |
Try a Live German Test by Level
Want to see the test format for a specific level before deciding on a certificate? These live German tests are already running.
- ✓ German A1 Test — beginner level check
- ✓ German A2 Test — elementary level check
- ✓ German B1 Test — intermediate level check
- ✓ German B2 Test — the most requested level for work and study
- ✓ German C1 Test — advanced level check
- ✓ German C2 Test — proficiency level check
Certificates by CEFR Level
If you already know roughly what level you are aiming for, these level-specific certificate pages explain the requirements and typical use cases in more detail.
Using Your Certificate
Once you have the PDF, the next step is usually adding it to a CV or a LinkedIn profile. See our guide on adding it to LinkedIn for the exact steps.
See all CEFR levels and languages on the main certificate hub, or browse the full list of tests to try a different language.
Common Questions About the German Language Certificate
No. The Goethe-Institut exams and TestDaF are proctored, accredited tests recognized by German universities, employers, and immigration authorities, and they cost between €150 and €260 depending on the level and location. Examinizer's German certificate comes from a free, unproctored 25-question adaptive test finished in about 25 minutes, with the PDF costing €8. Use the Goethe-Institut or TestDaF when an institution names one of them by name. Use Examinizer to get a quick read on your level before you book one.
German consulates and immigration offices almost always name a specific accredited certificate, usually starting at A1 for spouse visas and reaching B1 or B2 for skilled worker permits and naturalization. Examinizer's certificate cannot replace that documentation because it is not issued by an institution the embassy recognizes. Check your visa category's exact wording before relying on any test result.
Some university admissions offices accept a general proficiency signal for programs taught partly in English, but degree programs taught in German almost always require TestDaF, DSH, or a Goethe-Institut certificate at B2 or C1. Check the specific program's language requirements page before assuming Examinizer's certificate will be accepted.
The test adapts question by question: a correct answer triggers a harder question, and a wrong one triggers an easier question, so the difficulty converges on your real ability. After 25 questions covering grammar, vocabulary, and reading, your answers map to a CEFR level from A1 to C2.
Many recruiters treat it as a fast screening signal on a CV, particularly for roles where German is useful but not the primary skill being hired for. It won't satisfy a job posting that names the Goethe-Institut or telc exams specifically, since those carry institutional accreditation Examinizer does not have.