Writing Part of the Goethe C2
Conquering the Writing Section of the Goethe C2 Exam: Tips, Strategies, and My Experience
The writing section of the Goethe C2 exam is arguably one of the most challenging parts of the test. It’s where you need to showcase not just your advanced grammar and vocabulary but also your ability to write intelligent, structured, and sophisticated content under time constraints.
Today, I’ll walk you through:
• The structure of the writing exam
• My experience, including lessons learned
• Strategies and tips to help you perform your best
Let’s dive in!
Structure and Duration of the Writing Section
The writing section consists of two tasks and lasts for 80 minutes.
1. Task 1: Grammatical transformations (worth 20 points).
2. Task 2: Essay or literary review (worth 80 points).
My strategy: Always start with Task 2. It’s worth more points, so if you don’t complete it, you risk losing a large portion of your score. Once you finish Task 2, go back and solve Task 1.
Task 2: Essay or Literary Review
In Task 2, you choose one of four topics. You’ll either:
• Write an essay based on a topic with three statements (positive, negative, and neutral), or
• Write a book review if you select the literature topic.
Here’s how I tackled this task and what I recommend:
Option 1: The Essay
The essay is a safer choice because you can prepare a bank of useful phrases and arguments beforehand.
• Structure:
1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic.
2. Body Paragraphs: Discuss all three statements. You don’t need to follow their order — prioritize logical flow.
3. Conclusion: Summarize your opinion and tie it back to the topic.
• Key Tips:
• Use sophisticated grammar: passive voice, subjunctive forms (Konjunktiv I & II), and complex connectors.
• Replace simple words with advanced synonyms. For example:
• sagen → äußern
• gut → hervorragend
• Prepare cliché phrases and connectors in advance. Examples:
• “Ein weiterer entscheidender Punkt ist…”
• “Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass…”
Option 2: The Literary Review
If you choose this option, you’ll need to review a book from the Goethe-Institut’s recommended list. I selected Gilgi, eine von uns — a book about women’s emancipation in 20th-century Germany.
Pros: If you love literature, it’s a creative task.
Cons: It requires detailed knowledge of the book, including key themes, quotes, and character relationships.
How I prepared:
• I read the book and took notes on important quotes, characters, and themes.
• I studied reviews from other authors to understand critical interpretations.
• I prepared a perfect introduction summarizing the book and a conclusion recommending it to others.
Lesson Learned:
If I took the exam again, I would choose the essay instead of the literary review. The essay allows for more flexibility with clichés and arguments, and it’s easier to prepare in advance.
Task 1: Grammatical Transformations
In Task 1, you’ll transform sentences using a given keyword while maintaining the meaning.
What to watch for:
• Prepositions: They’re often tricky and easy to miss.
• Word Order: Pay attention to sentence structure.
• Grammar: Use advanced grammar forms like passive voice, subjunctive mood, and participles.
How to prepare:
• Practice transformation exercises regularly.
• Write down tricky phrases and transformations you encounter. I saved mine in Notion and reviewed them often.
• Focus on prepositions, as they’re commonly tested in this task.
My Tips for Success
1. Start with Task 2: Prioritize the essay/review first since it’s worth more points. Finish it quickly and carefully.
2. Prepare Templates: Create reusable introductions and conclusions for essays. Learn cliché phrases for smooth transitions.
3. Use Advanced Grammar:
• Passive voice (Es wird gesagt, dass…)
• Subjunctive I & II (Es wäre besser, wenn…)
• Participles (zunehmend, wachsend)
4. Build Your Vocabulary: Replace simple words with sophisticated alternatives. Use synonyms effectively.
5. Train with Sample Tests: Solve as many practice tests as possible. Write without a draft to build speed and accuracy.
6. Avoid Overthinking: For Task 1, focus on the transformations without second-guessing every detail.
My Final Writing Scores
While I performed well overall, writing was my lowest score at 61 points. Why? I underestimated how demanding the literary review would be. If I had chosen the essay and relied on prepared templates, I believe I would have scored higher.
Final Thoughts
The writing section of the Goethe C2 exam is challenging but achievable with the right strategies and preparation. Whether you choose the essay or the literary review, focus on structure, grammar, and clear arguments.
Key takeaway: Stick to the essay unless you’re deeply confident with the literature topic. Practice writing regularly, use advanced grammar forms, and prepare your phrases in advance.
