Top Tips to Get an A* in IGCSE German

Sitting your IGCSE German exam can seem demanding, but with the right approach, you can aim for the top grade. This guide brings together proven strategies, expert advice, and valuable resources to help you feel confident in every paper. Whether you’re taking the Cambridge (0525) or Edexcel (4GN1) exam, these tips will give you a clear roadmap to success and show you exactly what it takes to reach an A* or its equivalent.

Introduction

IGCSE German is a rewarding subject that requires dedication. Success depends on building strong skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The best students go beyond memorising vocabulary. They apply grammar rules with precision, organise their ideas clearly, and keep their practice consistent.

Getting an A* is about mastering a balance of accuracy and creativity. It’s about showing you can communicate naturally, understand different kinds of texts, and hold a conversation confidently. This article will break down what you need to know and give you practical ways to improve your German skills across all four exam areas.

What Does It Take to Get an A* in IGCSE German?

Achieving the top grade requires careful preparation and an understanding of how the IGCSE German exams work. Both Cambridge and Edexcel assess the same skills, but their formats vary slightly.

Understanding the Exam Format: Cambridge (0525) vs. Edexcel (4GN1)

To get the highest marks in IGCSE German, it’s important to know how each exam board structures its papers.

Once you understand the differences between Cambridge and Edexcel, you can plan your revision more effectively and focus on the exact skills each exam requires.

Papers You’ll Be Graded On

You’ll be tested across four key areas that cover the main skills of language learning:

• Listening – understanding audio recordings that range from short everyday dialogues to longer, more detailed passages
• Reading – showing comprehension of different types of texts, including articles, blogs, letters, and other written formats
• Speaking – taking part in role plays, topic-based discussions, and open conversation with the examiner to demonstrate fluency and accuracy
• Writing – producing texts of varying lengths and styles, from short notes to more extended pieces such as articles, stories, or blog entries

Each paper is designed to assess how well you can use German in real-life situations. Knowing what’s expected in each component is the first step towards preparing effectively and building confidence for exam day.

Grammar: The Foundation of A* German

Strong grammar skills are essential for A* answers. They give your writing clarity and your speaking credibility.

Core Grammar Topics You Must Master

Here are the areas you should prioritise in your revision:

• Verb Tenses: Present, perfect, imperfect, future, conditional 
• Modal Verbs: können, dürfen, müssen, sollen, wollen, mögen
• Noun Genders and Cases: Nominative, accusative, dative, genitive
• Sentence Structure & Word Order: Position of verbs in main and subordinate clauses.
• Adjective Endings: After definite and indefinite articles
• Personal and Possessive Pronouns: ich, du, er, mein, dein, etc
• Negation: kein vs. nicht, and where to place them

Mastering these grammar foundations will give you the accuracy and flexibility needed to express yourself confidently in both writing and speaking, which is essential for achieving an A* or its equivalent.

Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

Students often lose marks for small but frequent errors. Keep an eye out for these:

• Using the wrong word order in subordinate clauses
• Confusing der/die/das or mixing up case endings
• Forgetting adjective endings after determiners

Mastering these rules will help you express ideas more confidently and reduce errors in both written and spoken German.

Listening: Training Your Ear for Success

The listening paper tests how well you understand spoken German, and it can be one of the trickiest parts of the exam.

Mastering the Listening Exam

Both Cambridge and Edexcel use a mix of task types such as multiple choice, matching, and short-answer questions. You’ll hear different audio styles, including conversations, interviews, and announcements. You only get two plays of each track, so practise listening carefully and taking notes quickly.

Top Tips

Here are simple but effective ways to sharpen your listening skills:

1. Listen to native German daily – news, podcasts, or YouTube channels
2. Practise with past paper audio recordings under timed conditions
3. Train your ear to different accents and speeds by varying your sources

Recommended Resources

For listening practice, these are particularly useful:

• Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten (DW) – slow news for learners.
• Easy German on YouTube – real conversations with subtitles.
• Official exam board recordings – essential for exam-style practice.

By making listening practice a regular part of your routine, you’ll find the exam feels far more manageable, and your confidence will grow with every session.

Reading: Build Skills to Decode Any Text

Reading in the IGCSE German exam checks how well you can make sense of both short and extended texts in different formats.

Types of Reading Tasks

You can expect a variety of exercises, including:

• Short texts such as signs, notices, or posts.
• Letters, emails, and blogs.
• Articles, descriptions, and interviews.

A* Reading Techniques

To reach the highest level, it’s important to develop strong habits:

• Skim the text first to get the overall meaning.
• Scan for key details and answers.
• Highlight or note down unfamiliar vocabulary in context to build your word bank.
• Practise spotting synonyms and paraphrases, which are often used in questions.

Strengthening these skills will make it easier to approach any text with confidence, even when the topic is new or unfamiliar.

Speaking: Sound Like a Natural (Even If You’re Not)

Speaking is often the most nerve-wracking paper, but it can become one of your strongest areas and a real opportunity to secure high marks with steady preparation.

Understand the Exam Format

Both Cambridge and Edexcel include role plays and general conversations, with Edexcel adding a picture-based task. Examiners aren’t expecting perfection. They’re looking for fluency, accuracy, and your ability to develop ideas instead of giving very short answers.

Speaking to A* Level

Strong candidates stand out by:

• Speaking in full sentences that include connectives and opinions.
• Using varied sentence starters and a mix of verb tenses.
• Staying calm and communicating clearly even when unsure of the exact word.

Use These Linking Phrases

Linking phrases make your speech more fluent and natural:

• Opinions: Ich finde, dass…, Meiner Meinung nach
• Reasons: weil, denn, deshalb
• Sequencing: zuerst, dann, später
• Contrasts: aber, jedoch, trotzdem
• Additions: auch, außerdem, nicht nur, sondern auch

Regularly practising with these phrases will help you sound more natural and confident. Over time, they’ll become second nature, allowing you to focus on expressing your ideas rather than worrying about how to connect your sentences.

Writing: Structure, Style & Sophistication

Writing requires both accuracy and creativity. To impress examiners, you’ll need to go beyond simple sentences.

Task Types

You’ll face a range of writing tasks, including:

• Short notes or messages.
• Emails and letters.
• Blog posts or articles.
• Narratives and stories.

How to Write for an A*

Here are steps to help improve your written work:

1. Plan your text with an introduction, two or three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
2. Use a wide variety of structures and vocabulary.
3. Include idiomatic expressions and show you can handle complex sentences.

This approach demonstrates sophistication and ticks the higher-level marking criteria.

Understand How You’re Graded

Knowing the assessment objectives helps you focus your revision where it matters most, making sure you’re putting time into the skills that carry equal weight in the exam.

Assessment Objectives

• AO1 – Listening: 25% of your grade
• AO2 – Reading: 25%
• AO3 – Speaking: 25%
• AO4 – Writing: 25%

Since each component is worth the same, there’s no shortcut by favouring one over the others. To achieve an A*, you’ll need to show balance and consistency across all four areas, proving that you can use German effectively in every context.

Smart Revision Strategies for an A*

Effective revision is about quality and not just quantity. These strategies help you study more efficiently:

Top Study Techniques

• Active Recall – Test yourself with flashcards, past paper questions, or quick quizzes instead of passively re-reading notes. This strengthens memory and makes your revision more engaging.
• Spaced Repetition – Use tools like Anki or Quizlet to revisit vocabulary and grammar at regular intervals. Spacing your practice helps information stick better over time.
• Pomodoro Method – Study in focused 25-minute sessions with short breaks in between. This keeps your energy levels up and prevents burnout.

You may also check out The Ultimate IGCSE German Study Guide for additional tips.

Conclusion. How TutorsPlus Can Help You Succeed

Getting an A* or a 9 in IGCSE German is challenging, but it’s absolutely possible with the right preparation. By focusing on grammar, practising listening, strengthening your reading strategies, improving your speaking fluency, and developing sophisticated writing skills, you’ll build the confidence needed to excel.

At TutorsPlus, we provide personalised support from experienced teachers and examiners who know the Cambridge and Edexcel syllabuses inside out. With tailored lessons, feedback on practice papers, and one-to-one guidance in all four skills, you’ll feel ready to reach your target grade.

“Ralf is a great teacher who explains grammar clearly and encourages engaging conversation with my 19 year old son and 13 year old daughter, both of whom have attention deficit. Thanks to his support, their grades and confidence have improved.”

Struggling with IGCSE German? Book a free trial with TutorsPlus today! Call +41 22 731 8148 or email .

FAQ

How many words should I know to get an A?*
A strong vocabulary of at least 1,200–1,500 words is ideal. Focus on common topics from the syllabus and high-frequency verbs.

Can I get an A if I’m not fluent?*
Yes. Fluency helps, but examiners reward accuracy, clear communication, and evidence of learning. Consistent practice matters more than being “native-like”.

When should I start preparing?
It’s best to start at least six months before the exam. Daily practice of 15–30 minutes can make a big difference over time.

Is the Cambridge exam harder than Edexcel?
Both have similar content and weighting. The main difference is structure: Cambridge combines reading and writing in one paper, while Edexcel separates them.

Does TutorsPlus offer help with speaking?
Yes. TutorsPlus provides specialist support for speaking, including role play practice, feedback on pronunciation, and strategies for handling exam nerves.