Question 1: In the sentence 'Ich habe gestern einen Brief geschrieben', which German verb tense is being used?
Topic: Reading: Vocabulary and Structure
- conditional
- subjunctive
- preterite
- perfect (Correct Answer)
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German Level 1 tests skills equivalent to two semesters of college German. If you studied German in high school, have German-speaking family, or gained exposure through travel or work, this exam can earn you college credit.
Join thousands who earned German credit by demonstrating existing skills
Written by the Flying Prep Team
Reviewed by Alex Stone, who earned 99 credits via CLEP & DSST
This exam suits students with approximately two semesters of college German or equivalent experience. Three or more years of high school German with solid grades typically provides adequate preparation. Students with German-speaking family or those who have spent time in German-speaking countries also tend to succeed.
The exam divides into two sections:
Listening Comprehension (approximately 25% of the exam):
Reading Comprehension (approximately 75% of the exam):
Questions test main idea comprehension, specific detail recognition, vocabulary in context, and grammar usage. Understanding the case system and word order helps significantly.
A score of 50 earns 6 semester credits at most institutions
Scores of 60+ indicate strong first-year proficiency
CLEP scores are valid for 20 years
Schnell denken! This section tests quick comprehension of spoken German. You'll hear prompts and choose logical responses. These skills prepare you for real German conversation where you can't ask speakers to repeat. Willkommen to German listening!
Following German conversations! This section tests understanding of longer spoken passages. You'll process dialogues and narratives, extracting meaning and details. German's structure becomes clearer when you hear it in context.
Die Grundlagen! This section tests vocabulary and grammar through sentences and short passages. You'll demonstrate command of German cases, word order, and verb forms. German grammar has a reputation, but mastering it is deeply satisfying.
Understanding German texts! This section tests your ability to comprehend written German of various types. You'll read authentic materials and extract meaning. From Goethe to Grzimek, German offers incredible reading rewards.
Preparing your assessment...
Week 1: Assessment and Vocabulary Foundation Take a diagnostic test to identify strengths and weaknesses. Begin building vocabulary with correct genders (der/die/das). Focus on high-frequency nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Learn vocabulary in context rather than isolated lists.
Week 2: Case System Introduction Review the three main cases: nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), and dative (indirect object). Practice recognizing articles and pronouns in each case. The case system is fundamental to German comprehension.
Week 3: Present Tense and Modal Verbs Review present tense conjugation for regular and irregular verbs. Master modal verbs: konnen, mussen, wollen, sollen, durfen, mogen. These appear frequently and affect sentence structure.
Week 4: Past Tenses Learn Perfekt (present perfect) formation with haben and sein. Review simple past (Prateritum) for common verbs, especially sein and haben. Practice reading texts that use past tenses.
Week 5: Word Order and Sentence Structure Study German word order rules: verb second in main clauses, verb final in subordinate clauses. Practice recognizing sentence boundaries and clause relationships.
Week 6: Listening Intensive Focus heavily on listening comprehension. Practice with German audio at natural speed. Develop strategies for compound words and unfamiliar vocabulary. Work on understanding connected speech.
Week 7: Reading Intensive Focus on reading comprehension with varied text types. Practice breaking down compound words. Use context to determine unfamiliar vocabulary. Practice with letters, articles, and narratives.
Week 8: Final Review Take full-length practice tests. Review missed questions. Focus on rest and confidence.
1 month
For students with strong German background.
~15 hours/week
2 months
Recommended for most students.
~8 hours/week
3 months
For students building from limited exposure.
~6 hours/week
Bring two valid forms of ID. One must be government-issued with a photo and signature. The second can be any ID with your name and signature. Names must match your CLEP registration exactly. No study materials, electronics, or notes permitted.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake after three months. Use this time to focus on weak areas identified in your score report. Many successful test-takers needed more than one attempt.
The German Language (Level 1) exam presents moderate difficulty, with listening comprehension typically being the most challenging component for English speakers. You need genuine elementary German proficiency - roughly equivalent to completing a full semester of college German study. The grammar and vocabulary sections are straightforward if you've mastered basic conjugations and memorized 1,200+ German words. Listening sections prove difficult because you cannot replay audio segments and must process spoken German at normal conversation speed. Reading comprehension is manageable since you control pacing and can re-read passages. Most test-takers find the 90-minute time limit adequate. Success requires consistent daily practice with German audio materials and systematic vocabulary memorization over several months.
Most colleges accept a scaled score of 50 (the ACE-recommended minimum) for the German Language (Level 1) exam, which typically requires answering 60-65% of questions correctly. Some institutions set higher requirements at 55 or 60, so verify your target school's policy before taking the exam. CLEP uses scaled scoring from 20-80, converting your raw score through statistical analysis to ensure consistent standards across different test versions. You receive 3-6 college credits for passing, equivalent to one semester of introductory German. Check with your specific college or university to confirm their minimum score requirement and credit-granting policy, as these can vary significantly between institutions. Military and corporate education programs may have different score thresholds.
Plan 150-200 hours of study if you have some previous German exposure, 250-350 hours if starting completely fresh, or 80-120 hours if you have recent German language experience. Spread preparation over 4-6 months for optimal retention, studying 45-60 minutes daily rather than cramming. Listening comprehension skills develop slowly and require consistent daily practice with German audio materials. Vocabulary memorization demands spaced repetition over weeks or months. Most successful test-takers study 6-8 weeks minimum, even with prior German knowledge. Your timeline depends on language learning aptitude and available daily study time. Focus on consistent daily practice rather than marathon study sessions. Consider your timeline when scheduling the exam, allowing extra weeks for retaking if necessary since CLEP requires 3-month waiting periods between attempts.
Start with systematic vocabulary memorization using spaced repetition software like Anki or Quizlet, targeting 1,200-1,500 essential German words. Master basic grammar patterns including present tense conjugations, noun genders, and the case system through structured practice exercises. Dedicate 20-30 minutes daily to German audio materials - podcasts, news broadcasts, or conversation videos - to develop listening comprehension skills. Use a quality German textbook covering first-year curriculum to ensure complete topic coverage. Practice reading simple German texts about everyday topics without translating every word. Take practice tests to identify weak areas and simulate exam conditions. Join online German learning communities for additional speaking practice and motivation. Focus on functional communication rather than perfect grammar initially. Create German flashcards for high-frequency phrases and expressions that appear in conversational contexts.
No, the German Language (Level 1) CLEP exam tests only listening and reading skills through multiple-choice questions. You will not speak German or write essays during the exam. The listening portions play audio segments through headphones, and you select appropriate responses or demonstrate comprehension through multiple-choice answers. Reading sections present vocabulary questions, grammar exercises, and passage comprehension items, all answered by choosing from provided options. This format allows the exam to be computer-administered and scored immediately. While the exam doesn't directly test speaking or writing abilities, the skills measured - vocabulary knowledge, grammar understanding, and comprehension - form the foundation for productive German language use. Some colleges may require additional placement testing or coursework to demonstrate speaking and writing proficiency for advanced German courses.
No dictionaries, translation tools, or reference materials are permitted during the German Language (Level 1) CLEP exam. You cannot access external resources, including electronic dictionaries or smartphone apps. The exam is designed to test your internalized German knowledge and ability to understand the language without assistance. This policy reflects real-world language use where immediate comprehension is essential. During preparation, wean yourself off dictionary dependence by practicing German reading and listening without translation tools. Focus on building active vocabulary that you can recall quickly under test conditions. The exam provides sufficient context clues within passages and dialogue to help determine meaning of unfamiliar words. Test centers provide scratch paper for notes, but no reference materials. Plan your vocabulary study to ensure you recognize high-frequency German words automatically without needing to look them up during the exam.
Master approximately 1,200-1,500 German words covering essential everyday topics for the German Language (Level 1) exam. Focus on high-frequency vocabulary including family members, numbers, colors, food, clothing, body parts, time expressions, and common verbs. Learn vocabulary thematically - group words by topics like 'im Restaurant,' 'die Familie,' or 'das Wetter' for better retention. Prioritize active vocabulary you can recognize quickly in both spoken and written contexts rather than passive vocabulary you might eventually figure out. Include common German expressions and conversational phrases since the listening sections test practical communication. Master basic connecting words (und, aber, oder, weil) and question words (wer, was, wo, wann, wie). Study cognates - German words similar to English - but beware of false friends with different meanings. Use spaced repetition for long-term retention rather than cramming vocabulary lists.
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