Official German certificate Exam target
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and in detail on a broad range of topics and conduct a normal conversation with native speakers in a spontaneous and fluent way.
This exam certifies language competence in communicative situations that go beyond the private sphere, as well as (semi-)public and professional fields. Candidates are able to understand text dealing with their area of expertise.
This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and over, an altered version is tailored to young learners aged 14 and above.
The exam comprises two modules: the Written exam (Reading, Listening and Writing) and the Oral exam (Speaking), focusing mainly on communicative competence, even though attention is also paid to formal accuracy.
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Exam modules
Module: Written exam
Reading
The overall and detailed comprehension of different authentic text from Austria, Germany and Switzerland is assessed in four different tasks.
Duration: 90 minutes
Listening
Global, selective and detailed comprehension of listening text about general and society-related topics in the standard language as spoken in Austria, Germany and Switzerland is assessed in two tasks.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
Writing
Candidates have to write two texts (a formal email; a line of argument/opinion) observing several requirements. Each text is assessed according to predetermined criteria (see rating sheet).
Duration: 90 minutes
Module: Oral Exam
Speaking
The oral exam is taken in pairs or alone and consists of three different tasks: a consultation, an image description and a discussion. The oral exam is assessed according to predetermined criteria (see rating sheet).
Duration: individual exam 15–20 minutes,
joint exam 20–25 minutes
Exam administration
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B2 comprises two modules: the Written exam (Reading, Listening and Writing) and the Oral exam (Speaking). These modules can be sat and certified individually or taken in combination. Candidates who have taken and passed one module will receive a single copy of a certificate for the module taken. If both modules were successfully completed within a year, at the same exam centre, candidates will be entitled to receive a single copy of a full certificate listing all completed modules.
The exam will be carried out by two licensed ÖSD examiners who subsequently mark the candidate’s performance (see score form). By request, an inspection of the rating sheet is possible. Here you can find the Exam Guidelines and the Terms and Conditions for Exam Administration.
Sample test
This sample test prepares you for your exam. You can download the worksheets for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, as well as the answer key and audio files here.
Materials for exam preparation
Order materials for exam preparation here.
Video example
Here you can find a video example for an oral exam.