Exam-Day Tips

Before You Leave Home

• Valid photo ID (passport or ID card) — without it you cannot sit the exam.
• Your exam confirmation / invitation (printed or on your phone).
• Pens that match the exam centre's requirements (usually black or blue; bring a spare).
• A silent watch, a drink, and a small snack for the breaks.
• Arrive early — aim to be there 20–30 minutes before the start.

What to Bring (Checklist)

Item	Why
Photo ID	Required for admission; identity check
Confirmation / invitation	Proves your registration and room
Pens (+ spare)	You write the exam by hand
Watch (silent)	To manage time without a clock
Water + snack	Energy during breaks

How the Day Is Structured

• The written modules usually come in one block in the order Lesen → Hören → Schreiben, often with short breaks between them.
• Sprechen is held separately, often paired with another candidate, with a preparation room before your slot.
• Each module is scored out of 100 points, and you pass at 60%.
• Modules can be taken or retaken individually, so a weak module is not the end — you can repeat just that one.

Mindset and Practical Advice

• Sleep well the night before; a rested brain reads and listens far better.
• Eat something beforehand so hunger doesn't distract you.
• Stay calm and read every instruction carefully before answering.
• In Sprechen, manage your nerves: breathe, speak slowly, and remember it's a conversation, not an interrogation.
• If one item is hard, let it go and keep moving — one question rarely decides pass or fail.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

• Forgetting your ID — the single most common reason people are turned away.
• Panicking over one hard item and losing time and confidence.
• Not transferring answers to the answer sheet before time is up.
• Arriving late and starting flustered.
• Treating Sprechen as a test to "survive" rather than a chat to enjoy.

Prepare your bag the night before and walk in calm — then warm up with a full mock exam so the real day feels familiar.