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Exam target

With an ÖSD Zertifikat B1 qualification, you will master the basics of German and prove to have practical language skills for everyday use such as dealing with familiar situations and personal interests, as well as everyday situations in the context of professional life.

This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and above. A specially designed exam format is available for our young learners from twelve upwards.

The exam consists of four modules: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, which can be taken and certified individually or taken in combination with one another.

The exam, known as ÖSD-Zertifikat B1, was jointly developed by the ÖSD, the Center for Language Learning and Research at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and the Goethe-Institute and can be taken at Goethe exam centres (Goethe-Zertifikat B1) and ÖSD exam centres worldwide.

Reading

Global, selective, and detailed comprehension of various reading texts (blog posts, newspaper articles, advertisements, statements, and written instructions) from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland is assessed through five tasks.

Duration: 65 minutes.

Writing

Using specific guidelines, an informal email, a personal expression of opinion, and a short formal apology are to be written and evaluated according to established criteria .

Duration: 60 minutes.

Listening

Global and detailed comprehension is assessed in four tasks using standard-spoken audio texts (announcements, short lectures, informal conversations, as well as radio discussions) from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Duration: approximately 40 minutes.

Speaking

In a paired examination (individual examination only in exceptional cases), an initial planning discussion is conducted, followed by a brief presentation on a familiar topic. Each presentation is followed by feedback and a question from the other participant for reflection. The examination conversation is assessed according to established criteria .

Duration: approximately 15 minutes.

Exam administration

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B1 consists of four modules (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking). These modules can be sat and certified individually or taken in combination with one another. Candidates who have taken and passed one or more modules, will receive a single copy of a certificate for each module taken. If all four modules were successfully completed within a year, at the same exam centre, candidates will be entitled to receive a full certificate listing all completed modules. The exam will be carried out by two ÖSD examiners, who will be assessing the candidate’s exam performance (right) after the exam (see score form). A right to inspect the answer and rating sheet of the exam can be granted upon request. Please follow this link for further information on the Exam Regulations and the Terms and Conditions for Exam Administration.

Video example

Here you can find two video examples for the oral exam:

ZB1 Speaking Individual Examination
ZB1 Speaking Pair Examination