Goethe Schreiben is where many capable speakers lose the certificate. Writing is scored separately with a hard minimum. This guide explains task types, word counts, and what examiners reward.
What Schreiben tests
You must write clear, level-appropriate German for real situations: emails to companies, forum posts, complaints, and argumentative essays. Points come from fulfilling the prompt, not from fancy vocabulary alone.
B1 writing tasks
- Teil 1 (~80 Wörter): Informal message or forum contribution — react to a prompt, give opinion + reason.
- Teil 2 (~80 Wörter): Semi-formal email — request, complaint, or application with clear purpose.
B2 writing tasks
- Teil 1 (~80 Wörter): Formal email (Beschwerde, Anfrage) — polite but firm register.
- Teil 2 (~180 Wörter): Opinion essay on a social topic — take a position and support it.
How Schreiben is scored
| Criterion | What examiners look for |
|---|---|
| Aufgabenerfüllung | All bullet points in the prompt addressed |
| Kohärenz | Logical flow, paragraphs, connectors |
| Wortschatz | Range appropriate to level; avoid repetition |
| Strukturen | Grammar accuracy; complex sentences where appropriate |
Useful structures
Formal email opening: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, or Sehr geehrte/r Frau/Herr [Name],
Essay frame: Einleitung (topic + thesis) → Argument 1 + Beispiel → Argument 2 + Beispiel → Schluss (summary + optional outlook).
Practise with instant feedback — the GoethePrep app reviews free-text submissions and highlights errors before exam day.