Germany Guide
Mock tests: where to actually find them, and how to use them
Mock tests are useful for two very different things at two different points — a quick level check before you start, and full timed practice close to your exam date. Here's where to find both.
Start with a real level check, not a guess
Before picking an exam or a prep track, it helps to know where you actually stand. Our free placement test covers A1 through B2 and tells you exactly which sub-level to start at, so you're not guessing or starting a course below (or above) where you actually are.
Official mock tests, by exam
- Goethe — sample exams for every level (A1–C2) are published on goethe.de. See our Goethe Exam Guide for format details first.
- TELC — official model tests for each level, including telc Pflege, are available via telc.net. See our TELC Exam Guide.
- TestDaF — official sample papers and the TDN scoring explanation are on testdaf.de. See our TestDaF Guide.
- DSH — since each university administers its own DSH exam, mock papers are usually published by that university's language centre rather than one central source. See our DSH Exam Guide for what to expect.
How to actually use mock tests
Early on, mock tests mainly show you the format and question style — useful, but not a measure of readiness yet. Closer to your exam date, run at least one full mock under real timed conditions, all four skills, no shortcuts — that's what actually surfaces the gaps a partial or rushed practice session misses. If a section keeps coming up weak across multiple mocks, that's exactly where your remaining prep time should go.
FAQ
Common questions
A quick level check is useful before you start — it tells you which sub-level to begin at instead of guessing, which is exactly what our free placement test does. Full timed mock exams (the kind that simulate exam-day conditions) are more useful closer to your actual test date, once you've built the underlying skills.
Each exam provider publishes its own official sample papers and mock exams — goethe.de, telc.net, and testdaf.de all have downloadable or online sample materials for their respective levels. DSH mock papers are usually published by the specific university's language centre, since DSH is administered per-university rather than centrally.
Not on its own. Mock tests are good for timing, format familiarity, and spotting weak sections — but they don't build the underlying grammar, vocabulary, or speaking fluency you need. Treat them as a check on your progress, not a substitute for structured practice across all four skills.
There's no fixed number, but doing at least one full timed mock under real exam conditions (all four skills, no shortcuts) in the final couple of weeks before your test date is worth more than several rushed partial attempts spread out earlier.
How German Notes helps
Ready to move past mock tests and build the skills for real?
Live A1–B2 classes built around real exam outcomes — reading, listening, writing, and speaking together, not just grammar drills.
Still not sure, or want to talk through your specific situation? Book a 1:1 call for personalised guidance.