As you can imagine, language proficiency is a passport to countless opportunities. Among the various languages, German has found a prominent place, resonating among those who aspire to explore Germany's linguistic and cultural richness, and why not Austria and Switzerland?
However, whether you are pursuing your academic dreams, seeking employment in a German-speaking region, or simply nurturing your passion for the language, you must be aware of the German exam landscape available in Canada.
In this blog, we will find out where you can register for and where the German Language Proficiency Exams in Canada are held. Discover how these exams open doors to a world of possibilities with Superprof! Navigate German Language Proficiency Exams in Canada!

Where can I take the German exams in Canada?
You can take some German language certifications in Canada at the Goethe-Institut's facilities, mainly in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. In addition, the German Language Proficiency Exams can also be taken at partner test centers, either in person or online. No worries, here you will learn how to overcome German test stress!
Let's learn more about where the main German Language Proficiency Exams in Canada are held:
Goethe-Institute language tests
Goethe-Institut examinations range from A1 for beginners to C2 for native-level speakers. Each Goethe-Institut examination consists of writing, reading, listening, and speaking modules. You can find Goethe-Institut examinations in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
- Goethe-Institute Montreal: They provide German Language Proficiency Exams for all levels of ability, from A1 to C2, for young people, adults, students, and professionals. They also provide practice materials and sample exams for all our German exams and intensive courses, courses for children and teens, specialized classes, and individual and group lessons. The Language Department of the Goethe-Institut also cooperates with schools and Canadian cultural institutions concerned with German as a foreign language, and they offer German courses in Germany. Exam location: Goethe-Institut Montreal; 1626 Boul. Saint-Laurent H2X; 2T1 Montréal, QC. You can reach them at: exam-kanada@goethe.de
- Goethe-Institute Ottawa: They provide German exams for all levels of ability, ranging from A1 to C2, for young people, adults, students, and professionals. They also provide practice materials and sample exams for all our German exams and intensive courses, courses for children and teens, specialized classes, and individual and group lessons. And they offer German courses in Germany. Exam location: Goethe-Institut Ottawa at Saint Paul University; 223 Main Street, off. GIG 120; K1S 1C4 Ottawa, ON. You can reach them at: exam-kanada@goethe.de
- Goethe-Institute Toronto: They provide German exams for all levels of ability, ranging from A1 to C2, for young people, adults, students, and professionals. They also offer online German courses like Blended Learning and Online Individual Courses. They offer German courses in Germany. Exam location: No more in-person courses are offered at the Goethe-Institut Toronto; however, online courses can be booked with the Goethe-Institut Montreal. You can reach them at: exam-kanada@goethe.de
Cooperation partners: You can also contact the Goethe-Institut examination centers since they are accredited to conduct the Goethe-Institut's examinations. Besides the Goethe-Institut Montreal, QC, the Goethe-Institut Ottawa, ON, and the Goethe-Institut Toronto, ON, some of their cooperation partners are:
- University of Calgary, AB: The University of Calgary is registered to conduct A2 - C2 German CEFR exams. You must fill out the German examination registration form and submit it with payment to the Language Research Centre at the School of Languages Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures University of Calgary Craigie Hall D310, 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4. For any questions, you can contact lrc@ucalgary.ca.
- Concordia University of Edmonton, AB: Concordia University of Edmonton has been the official Goethe-Institut Examination Centre since 2019. You can attend A1-B2 German Proficiency Exams by completing the online registration form. You can also contact them at extension@concordia.ab.ca for more questions.
- Saskatchewan German Council Inc: The Saskatchewan German Council is an accredited Goethe-Institut Examination Centre in Saskatchewan. Here, you can test your German Language Proficiency level A1 - A2. To register, you must fill out the registration form and send it to Saskatchewan German Council, 510 Cynthia Street, Saskatoon, SK S7L 7K7. The confirmation of registration email will have further instructions for your exam and payment directives. You can contact them at office@saskgermancouncil.org if you have any other questions.
TestDaF Language Test
The Deutsch als Fremdsprache test (German as a foreign language) allows international students to be admitted to the German higher education system or demonstrate their proficiency in German in their country.
The TestDaF exam can only be taken at licensed test centers, such as Goethe-Institut locations, universities, and other higher education institutions. Don't hesitate to contact the Goethe-Institut at exam-kanada@goethe.de for more information or at www.testdaf.de to register.
DSH Test
It is a German language test for admission to a German university and an alternative to the TestDaF. It comprises a written test that evaluates listening comprehension, written comprehension, and text production, and an oral test that evaluates linguistic and lexical correctness, pronunciation, and intonation.
The DSH exam can only be taken on-site at a German university. It usually takes place a few weeks before the start of the semester. You must pass at least two-thirds of the requirements in both parts of the examination.
TELC Language Test
TELC language tests are an alternative to Goethe's. It is another recognized German Language proficiency test consisting of four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and it is conducted in written and oral formats. The Telc test is valid officially in German universities; however, not all accept this certificate for admission.
The TELC has over 3,000 examination centers worldwide and offers language examinations in the location of your choice. The examination centers closer to you will give you more up-to-date information about upcoming examination dates.

Can I take the German exams online?
It is possible to take the German Proficiency Test online. Indeed, you can take German proficiency tests in their digital formats. These online German proficiency tests also ensure a secure and supervised examination environment. They are more flexible since their conversation modules can be conducted online via videoconference or in person at a designated exam center. Let's delve deeper into the digital formats of the German proficiency tests we've discussed:
- ZD or Zertifikat Deutsch and Goethe-Institute Language Tests: The renowned Goethe-Institute language tests, including the ZD examination (Zertifikat Deutsch), are now available in their digital format. These digital exams are thoughtfully conducted at the examination center using the provided laptops.
- TestDaF: The TestDaF also has a digital version that can only be taken at established test centers.
- DSH Test: While German universities typically administer the DSH exam, there may be the option to take the digital DSH Test at select examination centers in Canada.
- TELC Examination: The TELC examinations are another example of digital assessments conducted on computers or laptops under the vigilant supervision of an examination center.
Before you register for an online German proficiency test, we recommend you check on their specific requirements, application deadlines, preparation courses, associated fees, and the availability of testing centers in your city. Rest assured, these digital formats hold the same validity, reliability, objectivity, and assessment criteria as their paper-based counterparts.
How do you take the German exam?
Depending on the type of German exam, you can generally take the exam at a Goethe-Institut or one of the partner test centers in Canada. You must be aware of the requirements for taking the German language exam. However, it is worth mentioning that some of these requirements may vary depending on the level of proficiency you are interested in.
Some of the main requirements for the Goethe-Institut exams are:
- Goethe-Institut exams are available for everyone, regardless of age and nationality.
- A minimum age of 16 years is recommended to take the Goethe-Zertifikat exams.
- To take the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam, you must know German, corresponding to the first proficiency level (A1) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- To take the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam, you must have completed between 80 and 200 45-minute teaching units.
- It is unnecessary to take one of the exam preparation courses to be able to take the exam.
We recommend contacting the examination center of your interest, Goethe Institutes, Goethe Centers, or examination cooperation partners for more information about prices and available registration dates. Discover effective strategies to ace German Language Exams!
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