German language tests

Building a German-speaking team? Assess proficiency early in the hiring process to ensure employees have the skills to communicate effectively.

TestGorilla's German language tests offer a quick and standardized way to fact-check resume language claims. Ensure candidates meet the role's communication demands with CEFR-aligned tests at levels B1, B2, and C1.

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Why test German proficiency?

Consistent benchmarks: Standardized tests rank candidates on language skills alone. No bias, no guesswork.
Shorter hiring cycles: Filter out underqualified German speakers early on, and hire top candidates faster.
More cohesive teams: Seamless communication in German-speaking teams leads to better working relationships and higher retention.
Better business results: Adequate communication with customers, partners, and suppliers helps your business grow.
Fewer errors: Testing German abilities early prevents misunderstandings and delays caused by poor language skills.

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When to use German proficiency tests

Send out German language proficiency assessments if you're:

Hiring German speakers but lacking in-house skills to assess their language proficiency reliably.
Recruiting for customer-facing roles in German-speaking markets.
Adding to in-person or remote German-speaking teams where razor-sharp collaboration is crucial.
Launching services in German-speaking countries and need to test the linguistic and cultural fit.
Hiring or assigning company reps to manage business relations with German-speaking clients, suppliers, or public bodies.

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Measuring German proficiency across levels

TestGorilla’s German tests follow the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Language), which is a standardized system for measuring language proficiency. This helps accurately compare language ability across candidates.

Here's what employees can do at each CEFR proficiency level:

A1 (Beginner)

Share and comprehend short German sentences, such as greetings and directions.

A2 (Elementary)

Have basic work conversations and understand slowed-down speech. Communicate general updates and needs, and write short messages.

Learn more about A2 language proficiency

B1 (Intermediate)

Join meetings and conversations on familiar topics, such as task instructions, and confidently ask for clarifications. Express high-level opinions with basic reasoning. Correctly connect simple sentences when writing and speaking to form clear narratives.

Learn more about B1 language proficiency

B2 (Upper Intermediate)

Mostly follow spoken German. Conduct detailed work conversations, write standard reports, and actively contribute to meetings. Back up opinions with arguments, examples, and comparisons, and adjust language formality and style to different audiences.

Learn more about B2 language proficiency

C1 (Advanced)

Understand and use challenging German grammar and vocabulary, and speak without visibly searching for words. Write detailed reports and presentations. Easily communicate company values, goals, and strategies with clients and staff.

Learn more about C1 language proficiency

C2 (Proficient)

Grasp German at a near-native level. Use idioms and cultural references, understand multiple German dialects, and correctly apply stress and rhythm. Deliver complex presentations and pitches and effectively motivate others.

Learn more about C2 language proficiency

Key skills assessed in German proficiency tests

TestGorilla’s German language proficiency tests cover the following communication areas:

Grammar: Use grammar rules correctly according to proficiency level, such as cases, verb tenses, and gender articles.
Sentence composition: Form coherent, natural-sounding sentences, mastering word order, separable verbs, and more.
Textual interpretation: Grasp the meaning and subtext from written German.
Listening comprehension: Follow spoken German, including instructions and descriptions.

TestGorilla lets you add custom video questions so you can assess candidates' German speaking skills.

What roles require German proficiency?

Here are some roles requiring German language proficiency:

Project manager

Requires a minimum of B2 in German to communicate detailed updates and solve obstacles collaboratively. Warrants a C1 for specialized projects where nuance and precision are critical (such as civil engineering or market research projects).

Compliance manager

Requires a C1 to interpret complex regulations, prepare reports, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders. A C2 helps in highly regulated sectors like finance or pharmaceuticals.

Call center agent

Uses B2-level skills to answer basic questions and escalate to specialists. A C1 helps in understanding nuance, de-escalating tension, and solving technical problems.

International partnership manager

Needs a B2 for junior to mid-level tasks such as leading simple meetings and creating short reports. Complex responsibilities such as pitching and negotiating require a C1.

German language tests for every skill level

German B1 (Intermediate)

The German B1 (Intermediate) test evaluates a candidate’s German proficiency at the B1 level of the CEFR framework. This test will help you hire employees who can communicate in German on subjects commonly encountered at work and in everyday life.

10 min

Details

German B2 (Upper Intermediate)

The German B2 (Upper Intermediate) test examines an individual's German language proficiency within the B2 level of the CEFR framework. This language screening test will help you hire employees capable of communicating in German in professional and daily contexts.

10 min

Details

German C1 (Advanced)

The German C1 (Advanced) test evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of the German language at the C1 level of the CEFR framework. This test will help you hire employees who can participate in demanding professional and social conversations in German.

10 min

Details

Designed and reviewed by German experts

Our German language assessments are developed by experts, leveraging their deep experience in linguistics and teaching. Tests are also peer-reviewed and must pass checks for validity and reliability.

Image of the subject-matter expert for this test

Josef is a German language teacher and translator with Special Education training and 15+ years of experience. He's worked with students across ability levels and believes in making language learning accessible to all.

Photo of the subject-matter expert for this test

Parker is a native German speaker who professionally writes, edits, and translates between German, English, and Spanish. She is an avid reader and writer of blogs and short stories.

German language tests FAQs

You can test German C1 proficiency by giving applicants a written and/or video task, either before or after resume screening. The task should relate to the role and industry, and require structuring, arguing pros and cons, and breaking down a complex topic.

A quick and scalable alternative is using TestGorilla's expert-made, level-appropriate German language test to assess candidates across job openings.

Any industry can benefit from testing German speakers, but some stand out. For example, customer-facing sectors such as hospitality, retail, and customer support need sharp communication skills (B2 minimum). At the same time, German industries, including technology, finance, and engineering, have a huge global reach, with some international workers requiring collaboration in German. Find out how fintech Revolut decreased time-to-hire by 40% using TestGorilla’s language assessments.

Using multi-measure testing during hiring – that is, combining different test types – tends to predict job performance better. 92% of employers who take a multi-measure approach are satisfied with their new hires. TestGorilla lets you add up to five tests and 10 custom questions to each assessment. Many of our 400+ tests can be taken by candidates in German, including communication, account management, and culture add.

Any industry can benefit from testing German speakers, but some stand out. For example, customer-facing sectors such as hospitality, retail, and customer support need sharp communication skills (B2 minimum). At the same time, German industries, including technology, finance, and engineering, have a huge global reach, with some international workers requiring collaboration in German. Find out how fintech Revolut decreased time-to-hire by 40% using TestGorilla’s language assessments.

You can test German C1 proficiency by giving applicants a written and/or video task, either before or after resume screening. The task should relate to the role and industry, and require structuring, arguing pros and cons, and breaking down a complex topic.

A quick and scalable alternative is using TestGorilla's expert-made, level-appropriate German language test to assess candidates across job openings.

Using multi-measure testing during hiring – that is, combining different test types – tends to predict job performance better. 92% of employers who take a multi-measure approach are satisfied with their new hires. TestGorilla lets you add up to five tests and 10 custom questions to each assessment. Many of our 400+ tests can be taken by candidates in German, including communication, account management, and culture add.

Get started with German testing

Keen to assess some German skills? Get started with our German B1 (Intermediate), German B2 (Upper Intermediate), or German C1 (Advanced) language tests. You can also add soft skills tests, job-related skills tests, and custom questions to get a holistic view of candidates' abilities.

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