Your route to the ÖSD Certificate
1. Where can I make an exam? 2. When can I make an exam? 3. Where and when can I register? 4. What do I need for the registration? 5. Can I make an exam as a person with special needs? 6. How much do I have to pay for an exam? 7. Which exam should I take? 8. How can I prepare? 9. How many times can I take an exam? 10. When and where do I get the certificate?Make exams
The Austrian Language Diploma in German (ÖSD) is a nationally recognized examination system for German as a foreign and second language. ÖSD exams have a communicative focus, meaning they primarily assess linguistic and communicative proficiency in real-life situations, such as daily life and work. ÖSD examinations adhere to international framework guidelines and are globally recognized as proof of German language proficiency. They are not tied to specific courses and are conducted and evaluated according to standardized criteria. For the field of migration in Austria, ÖSD offers its own Austria-specific examinations.Advantages of ÖSD exams
- ÖSD certificates are internationally recognized.
- ÖSD exams are independent of courses. This means that you don't have to attend a course to take an ÖSD exam.
- The examination content is communicative in nature. Linguistic and communicative competence is assessed with regard to real-life usage situations.
- ÖSD exams prepare for the linguistic reality in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. The standard varieties of German-speaking countries are considered equivalent and taken into account in the examinations.
- The administration and evaluation of ÖSD exams are carried out according to uniform guidelines.
3. How and when can I register?
The registration for an exam must take place at least four weeks before the date. You can find dates for registration here . The location for the registration you can find here . Since we require proof of identity for registration, online registrations are not possible.
4. What do I need for the exam registration?
Please bring a valid official photo ID (e.g., passport, ID card, etc.) and the amount to be paid for registration.
5. Can I make an exam as a person with special needs?
Depending on the type and degree of specific needs (e.g., reading and/or writing difficulties, impairment of vision or hearing, etc.), the ÖSD central office offers individual measures to enable a fair and barrier-free completion of the exam.
Here is the information sheet for participants with specific needs. If you have any questions, please contact the ÖSD examination center where you intend to take the exam, or reach out to the ÖSD central office directly.
7. Which exam should I take?
Using the free sample exams at all levels (A1–C1), you can easily determine which exam corresponds to your language skills. For additional preparation guidance, you can attend our exam preparation courses, where the exams are also simulated. The dates for these courses can be found here . Additionally, you can complete a digital test training on the ÖSD website or order a practice exam.
8. How can I prepare?
8.1 Model Exams
Be sure to look at the respective model exams before taking the exam. This will give you a first impression of how an ÖSD exam is structured. You can either receive the model sentences in a bound format or download them for free here .
8.2 Practice Materials
Additionally, we recommend our practice materials, which you can order online. The practice volumes include the model exams with solutions, additional practice exams, comments on the exam with solution tips, general information about the exam, and an audio CD with listening texts.
8.3 Digital Test Training
With the digital test training, you can try out the model sentences online. Take the reading and listening subtests and check your answers afterward. In the writing subtest, you can write your own texts, but they will not be evaluated. At the end, you will find sample texts for comparison.
8.4 Practice Exam
In the practice exam, your performance is evaluated by our ÖSD experts just like in a real exam. You not only receive a grade but also detailed feedback on your performance and thus your learning progress. With the oral practice exam, you can also experience an authentic exam situation and prepare yourself thoroughly for your exam date. You can book an appointment here.
Here you can book an appointment.
8.5 Exam preparation courses
Before each exam date, preparation courses for the exam are offered. The exam procedure is explained, and a practice exam is conducted. You can find the prices for these preparation courses here and the dates here .
9. How often am I allowed to take an exam or repeat it?
You can take each exam or exam module as many times as you like. In exams with two modules, the Written Exam module (Reading, Listening, Writing) can only be repeated as a whole. If you do not pass an exam, ÖSD recommends re-taking the exam no earlier than four weeks after the respective exam date.
10. When and where do I receive my ÖSD certificate?
You will receive your certificate from us here in Shkodra. Since the certificate is issued by the ÖSD central office in Austria and then sent by mail, it may take six to eight weeks for the certificate to arrive in Shkodra.
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