Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91123 about?

Accepted Answer

This is an external listening exam worth 5 credits. You listen to spoken German passages on everyday topics — things like sports, hobbies, social issues, and places — and answer questions in English (or Māori or German) to show you understood what was said. The exam is set and marked by NZQA, not your teacher.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91123?

Accepted Answer

1. Listen to three spoken German passages played during the exam 2. Answer questions about each passage — explaining what was said, giving details, and sometimes sharing your own opinion backed up by what you heard 3. Show you understood the meaning of what was said, not just individual words 4. For higher grades, go beyond the obvious details and pick up on implied meanings or conclusions in the passages

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91123?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You get the general meaning of the passages and pick out some correct information. You might misunderstand some key vocabulary (e.g. translating 'kurze Skier' as 'small skis' instead of 'short skis') or miss some details, but you show basic understanding and go beyond just guessing from obvious loan words. Merit: You understand the passages well and pick out most of the relevant information, ideas, and opinions. Your answers are clearly worded and connect ideas from the text. You might still make some vocabulary errors (e.g. translating 'spannend' as 'interesting' instead of 'exciting') or miss some finer details, but overall your answers are accurate and supported by the text. Excellence: You show thorough understanding of the whole passage, including details that aren't obvious. You back up every answer with clear evidence from the text, pick up on implied meanings, understand more complex phrases, and add your own well-justified conclusions. You use new details from the text rather than repeating yourself, and your answers are full and precise.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91123?

Accepted Answer

1. Leaving parts of questions blank, especially the opinion/personal response parts (part c questions) 2. Quoting German words or phrases directly without explaining or translating them — this does not show understanding 3. Misreading or mishearing small but important words, for example 'vor zwei Wochen' (two weeks ago) understood as 'for two weeks' 4. Misunderstanding key vocabulary, such as 'Bundesland' being mistaken for the name of a German city 5. Only pulling information from a small section of the passage instead of using the whole text 6. Making general statements instead of using specific evidence from the passage to support answers 7. In the cities question, many students thought they were choosing a city to study in rather than just to visit, which led to irrelevant answers 8. Not providing enough personal detail or connection when a question asks for your own opinion or preference

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