Goethe B1 Exam — 8-Week Detailed Self-Study Plan
(Day-by-Day)
This document is a very detailed, actionable 8-week self-study plan to prepare for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1
exam at home. It assumes you can dedicate ~2–3 hours per day on weekdays and 3–4 hours on
weekends. Follow the schedule strictly, use the resources listed, simulate exam conditions, and keep an
error log. Sections include: daily plan, weekly focuses, grammar list, vocabulary targets, speaking & writing
prompts, listening & reading practice, practice-test schedule, self-assessment rubric, exam-day checklist,
and tips to avoid common mistakes.
How to use this plan (quick):
• Follow the daily tasks in order; do listening and speaking at times when you can concentrate (not when
tired).
• Keep a dedicated notebook for Vocabulary + Error Log. Note mistakes, correct forms, and rewrite.
• Record every speaking practice. Re-listen and note 3 corrections each time.
• Simulate exam conditions for practice tests (no dictionary, strict timing, quiet environment).
• If you miss more than 2 days in a row, restart the current week's schedule rather than skipping ahead.
Daily time allocation (recommended):
Task Time
Warm-up + review yesterday's mistakes 10-15 min
Grammar focus (with exercises) 30-40 min
Listening practice (active) 20-30 min
Reading practice (timed) 20-30 min
Vocabulary (new + review, flashcards) 15-20 min
Writing practice (structured) 25-35 min
Speaking practice (recorded or partner) 20-30 min
Review & error log update 10-15 min
Weeks 1–2: Foundation, exam format & Grammar consolidation
Day 1 (Mon)
• Read the Goethe B1 exam format on the official site: sections, time, and pass rules. Write a
one-paragraph plan for your study routine.
• Grammar: present, Perfekt vs Präteritum review (10 exercises).
• Listening: DW 'Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten' — listen once, summarize orally (2–3 sentences).
• Reading: short article (200–300 words) — find main idea and 5 unknown words.
• Vocabulary: add 20 high-frequency B1 verbs (list provided below).
• Speaking: 2-minute self-introduction (record).
• Write: short informal email (80–100 words) — describe your weekend.
Day 2 (Tue)
• Grammar: modal verbs (müssen, können, dürfen, sollen) – 15 exercises.
• Listening: short dialogues (YouTube) — write answers to comprehension questions.
• Reading: multiple-choice reading practice (Fit fürs Goethe B1).
• Vocab: flashcards (Anki) – 20 new words + review previous day.
• Speaking: describe a picture for 2 minutes (use connectors).
• Writing: formal email structure (greeting, reason, request, closing) — write one.
Day 3 (Wed)
• Grammar: adjective endings (nominative/accusative) – focused drilling.
• Listening: dictation exercise (80–100 words) – write what you hear.
• Reading: true/false questions practice.
• Vocab: phrasal verbs & verbs with prepositions (list below).
• Speaking: roleplay making a complaint (2-person script).
• Writing: write an opinion paragraph (why public transport is important) – 100–120 words.
Day 4 (Thu)
• Grammar: separable & inseparable verbs, word order (main vs subordinate clauses).
• Listening: practice test section A (short announcements).
• Reading: scanning for specific information – timed (15 min).
• Vocab: numbers, dates, time expressions practice.
• Speaking: ask & answer questions about daily routine (record).
• Writing: complete a short form / message (practical everyday writing).
Day 5 (Fri)
• Grammar: prepositions with accusative/dative; two-way prepositions.
• Listening: longer monologue comprehension (10–12 min audio) — summarize.
• Reading: longer text comprehension – identify opinion vs fact.
• Vocab: adjectives opposite pairs and intensifiers (sehr, ziemlich, ziemlich).
• Speaking: simulated mini-interview (3 min).
• Writing: timed email (formal) – 25 min, then review.
Weekend (Sat–Sun)
• Saturday: Full timed practice — Listening + Reading sections (under exam timing).
• Sunday: Review mistakes, extra grammar practice for weak points, leisure German (film or series with
subtitles).
Weeks 3–4: Writing & Speaking intensive; expand vocabulary
Day 1 (Mon)
• Grammar: subordinate clauses with 'dass', 'weil', 'ob' — 20 exercises.
• Listening: dialogs with opinion and advice — take notes.
• Reading: opinion text – identify argument structure.
• Vocab: transition words/connectors (full list below).
• Speaking: discuss advantages/disadvantages of online learning (3–4 min).
• Writing: write formal email about a complaint (200 words) — focus on structure.
Day 2 (Tue)
• Grammar: relative pronouns (der/die/das/wo/was) – exercises.
• Listening: gap-fill exercises from Goethe sample audio.
• Reading: skimming techniques — practice 2 texts in 20 minutes.
• Vocab: topic set 'work & studies' – 30 words/phrases.
• Speaking: practice paired tasks — propose & decide (record roleplay).
• Writing: informal email to a friend — 120–150 words.
Day 3 (Wed)
• Grammar: passive voice (present + Perfekt) basics.
• Listening: short news report — write a 5-sentence summary.
• Reading: multiple matching tasks practice.
• Vocab: health & daily routine topic set.
• Speaking: opinion + justification practice using connectors.
• Writing: write an opinion essay (140–160 words) – plan, write, edit.
Day 4 (Thu)
• Grammar: reflexive verbs and common mistakes.
• Listening: practice test section B (longer monologue).
• Reading: matching headings exercise.
• Vocab: travel & directions topic set.
• Speaking: telephone-call roleplay (making arrangements).
• Writing: fill-in forms & notes practice (short messages).
Day 5 (Fri)
• Grammar: review week’s weak grammar points (self-test).
• Listening: timed mixed exercise.
• Reading: timed comprehensive practice.
• Vocab: thematic review and Anki spaced repetition.
• Speaking: 10-min conversation on random topics with self-corrections.
• Writing: submit one writing to online correction forum (optional) or self-correct using model answers.
Weekend (Sat–Sun)
• Saturday: Full practice: Speaking mock with a partner or recorded roleplay; take Listening+Reading
timed test.
• Sunday: Review errors, focus on pronunciation (shadowing exercise with audio).
Weeks 5–6: Exam simulation, timing, and weak-point drilling
Day 1 (Mon)
• Full practice test: Listening + Reading under exam conditions. Score and mark errors.
• Grammar: focus on the 3 most frequent error types from tests.
• Vocab: collocations and typical B1 phrases.
Day 2 (Tue)
• Writing: timed test — complete both writing tasks under exam timing; self-grade with rubric below.
• Speaking: partner or recorded speaking (full 15-min exam format).
Day 3 (Wed)
• Listening: targeted practice for fast speakers & regional accents.
• Reading: complex text practice (inference & tone).
• Vocab: verbs with prepositions practice.
Day 4 (Thu)
• Full practice test: Speaking + Writing under strict timing.
• Review: error log – revise and create 10 corrective flashcards.
Day 5 (Fri)
• Mixed practice: grammar drills for passive, subordinate clauses, modal verbs.
• Listening: practice with transcripts — compare your notes.
• Writing: polish 2 previously written essays based on feedback.
Weekend (Sat–Sun)
• Saturday: Two short full exams (condensed) to build stamina.
• Sunday: Relaxed review, vocabulary consolidation, light speaking.
Weeks 7–8: Final polishing, stamina, and confidence
Day 1 (Mon)
• Full timed exam (all sections) — simulate test morning: wake up, breakfast, no last-minute learning.
• Mark and review only mistakes that affect scores; make a short plan to fix them.
Day 2 (Tue)
• Targeted practice: weakest skill (based on full test) — 1.5 hours intensive.
• Short speaking practice: 2 spontaneous topics, record and improve.
Day 3 (Wed)
• Listening: review common distractors and practise selective listening.
• Reading: 2 timed texts and quick answers.
• Writing: last two timed writings and checklist edit.
Day 4 (Thu)
• Speaking: final mock with a language partner or teacher (if possible).
• Grammar: light review — no heavy new topics.
Day 5 (Fri)
• Full practice test: focus on timing and confidence. Keep calm and follow exam strategies.
• Create exam-day checklist and pack bag.
Weekend (Sat–Sun)
• Saturday: Light review, pronunciation drills, sleep early.
• Sunday: Rest — only light listening (podcast) and vocabulary review.
Comprehensive B1 Grammar Checklist (study in this order)
1 Present simple, Perfekt, Präteritum – when to use which tense
2 Modal verbs (können, müssen, dürfen, sollen, wollen, mögen)
3 Separable and inseparable verbs & their word order
4 Subordinate clauses: dass, weil, ob, wenn, obwohl (word order)
5 Relative clauses (der/die/das, der/die/das... + verb at end)
6 Adjective endings in nominative/accusative/dative (strong vs weak)
7 Prepositions: accusative, dative and two-way prepositions
8 Verbs with prepositions (denken an, warten auf, sich freuen über/auf)
9 Passive voice (werden + past participle) – basic understanding
10 Reflexive verbs and cases
11 Indirect questions and polite requests (Könnten Sie...?/Würden Sie bitte...?)
12 Word order in main vs subordinate clauses
13 Comparatives and superlatives
14 Konjunktiv II basics for polite suggestions (Ich würde...)
15 Reported speech (basic)
Vocabulary targets & useful lists
Daily target: learn 15–25 new words and review 50 older flashcards via Anki/Quizlet.
High-frequency B1 verbs (examples to add to your deck):
anfangen, arbeiten, aussehen, bekommen, bestehen, brauchen, bringen, denken, erklären, fragen,
gefallen, gewinnen, halten, hören, informieren, kaufen, kennen, laufen, lesen, lernen, lieben, mögen,
öffnen, probieren, reden, schicken, schlafen, sehen, sein, steigen, trinken, versuchen, wohnen,
zurückgeben
Useful connectors & sentence starters (memorize and practice):
• zuerst, dann, danach, schließlich, außerdem, außerdem, deshalb, deswegen, deshalb, deswegen,
trotzdem, jedoch, einerseits, andererseits, obwohl, trotzdem, zum Beispiel
• Meiner Meinung nach..., Ich denke, dass..., Ich bin der Meinung, dass..., Ich finde..., Aus diesem
Grund..., Einerseits..., Andererseits...
Speaking practice — prompt bank (use these daily)
• Introduce yourself and describe your typical day (2 min).
• Describe a memorable trip and what you liked/disliked (2–3 min).
• Discuss pros and cons of social media for young people (3 min).
• You lost an item on public transport — explain and ask for help (roleplay).
• Talk about your ideal job and why (2–3 min).
• Give directions from the train station to a museum (use imperatives).
• Compare two cities you know (advantages/disadvantages).
• Describe a health problem and give advice (modal verbs).
• Explain a recipe or how to do a simple activity (sequencing words).
• Argue whether children should use the internet unsupervised.
Writing tasks & model structures
Informal email / message (80–120 words)
Greeting, short reason, personal info, closing. Use informal salutations (Hallo, Liebe...).
Formal email (120–200 words)
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren / Sehr geehrte Frau Müller, state the reason, give facts, request action,
propose solutions, close with Mit freundlichen Grüßen.
Opinion essay (140–160 words)
Intro (1 sentence), 2 supporting paragraphs (advantages/disadvantages or reasons), conclusion (own
opinion + recommendation).
Short report or complaint (150–200 words)
State problem, describe details (who, when, where), propose solution or ask for compensation, polite
closing.
Self-assessment rubric (use for grading your practice tests)
Skill Good (3) Satisfactory (2) Needs Work (1)
Reading Understands main idea + Understands
details, <10%main
errors
idea, misses
>30% errors,
some details
slow
Listening Understands most spokenUnderstands
info, accurate
main
notes
points but
Failsmisses
to get details
main points
Writing Clear structure, correct linking,
Structure
<6 grammar
present, errors
some errors,
Poor structure,
ideas unclear
many errors
Speaking Fluent-ish, good range vocab,
Someclear
hesitation,
pronunciation
can be understood
Frequent hesitation, unclear
Error log template (daily use)
Skill Mistake (write original) Correction Why it happened Action to fix
Exam-day checklist & practical tips
• Bring valid ID, confirmation email, pens (black/blue), pencil, eraser, water, and a small snack if
allowed.
• Arrive 30 minutes early; know your exam center location and transport options.
• Sleep well the night before; avoid cramming in the morning.
• During the exam: read instructions carefully. For Listening, read questions BEFORE audio starts. For
Reading, skim first.
• Writing: plan 3–5 minutes for an outline for each task, leave 3–5 minutes to proofread.
• Speaking: breathe, use connectors, if you don’t know a word describe it (Das ist ein Gerät, mit dem
man...).
• If you get stuck, keep talking — fluency counts. Use filler phrases but correct quickly.
Complete resources and links (official + recommended)
Goethe-Institut official: https://www.goethe.de/prf/b1 (sample tests, exam info)
DW Learn German: https://learngerman.dw.com — Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten, courses
Fit fürs Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (Hueber) — workbook + audio
Mit Erfolg zum Goethe-Zertifikat B1 — practice tests
YouTube channels: Learn German with Anja, YourGermanTeacher, Easy German
Anki & Quizlet — use pre-made B1 decks and create your own from the vocabulary lists above
Language exchange: Tandem, HelloTalk (for speaking partners)
Online correction: Lang-8 alternatives, r/German or specialized correction services
If you follow this plan consistently, do every scheduled practice test, and keep improving from your error
log, you will be well-prepared for the Goethe B1 exam. If you'd like, I can also create a printable 8-week
calendar (one page per week), or record a daily checklist that you can tick off on your phone — tell me
which you prefer.
