Do you need an internationally recognized language certificate? The Department of German at the University of Pittsburgh is an officially authorized testing center for the Goethe-Institut. We offer German language exams at levels B1, B2 and C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
A complete exam consists of four parts, testing your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, but it is also possible to sign up for individual modules.
Speaking exams at Pitt typically take place on a Friday afternoon (incl. prep time, it can take between 25 and 40 minutes, depending on level), all the written exams take place on a Saturday morning (as there will be breaks between modules, you can expect it to last from 9 AM to about 12:45 PM).
For practice materials and to find out more about the format of the exams, please go here: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/prf.html#accordion_toggle_25469632_4
Fall 2026 Testing
Speaking Exam, October 23, 2026 (specific times will be arranged after registration)
Written Exam, October 24, 2026 (9 am to 12:45 pm)
Registration
Registration is open through September 30, 2026. B1, B2, and C1 testing is available for Fall 2026. Please email grmndept@pitt.edu for access to the registration site.
Registration Cost:
German Capstone seminar students: USD 20 (This incredibly low price is made possible thanks to funding through the European Studies Center.)
Full-time undergraduate students at the University of Pittsburgh and CMU:
B1: USD 150 (1 module: USD 85; 2 modules: USD 110; 3 modules: USD 135)
B2: USD 175 (1 module: USD 90; 2 modules: USD 115; 3 modules: USD 150)
C1: USD 195 (1 module: USD 105; 2 modules: USD 135; 3 modules: USD 165)
General Public:
B1: USD 250 (1 module: USD 120; 2 modules: USD 160; 3 modules: USD 200)
B2: USD 270 (1 module: USD 130; 2 modules: USD 180; 3 modules: USD 230)
C1: USD 300 (1 module: USD 140; 2 modules: USD 190; 3 modules: USD 230)
Payment is due at the time of registration and can be made by credit card. Please note that exam fees are not refundable unless a doctor’s note is sent to grmndept@pitt.edu within three days of the exam date.
The certificates will be sent to the German department, and you will be notified when you can come and pick them up. If you want us to mail you the certificate to an address in the U.S., please leave us a self-addressed, pre-paid USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope when you take your exam or send us one when you receive your results.
Questions? Contact Dr. Viktoria Harms v.harms@pitt.edu