All you need to know about OSD German Exams

➕What knowledge and skills does the German ÖSD exam assess?

ÖSD exams are internationally recognized and range from level A1 to C2. The exams are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. The exams were adapted in 2019, favouring a format where modules could be taken individually or in combination with one another, with the exception of ÖSD Integration exams.

Exams consisting of two modules
ÖSD exams consisting of two modules Written exam (Reading, Listening, Writing) and Oral exam (Speaking) may be taken individually or in combination with one another.

Exams consisting of four modules
Both exams, ÖSD Zertifikat B1 and ÖSD Zertifikat C2, consist of four modules (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking) which can be taken individually, or in combination with one another.

➕What types of exams are there and what are they divided into?

ÖSD Zertifikat A1

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A1, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple situations of their everyday life.ÖSD Zertifikat A1 is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities.

ÖSD Zertifikat A1 / Österreich

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A1 / Österreich candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple situations of their everyday life. ÖSD Zertifikat A1 / Österreich is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities. The Austrian variety was designed for immigrants to Austria.

ÖSD KID A1

ÖSD KID A1 assesses the linguistic competence of children and young learners in private, school-related and semi-public situations. It focuses on the simple and direct exchange of information regarding familiar topics. This exam is offered for learners aged 10 years and over.

ÖSD Zertifikat A2

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A2, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple, routine situations of their everyday, as well as their professional life. This exam is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities.

ÖSD Zertifikat A2 / Österreich

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A2 / Österreich, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple situations of their everyday, as well as their professional life. This exam is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities. The Austrian version was designed for immigrants already in Austria.

ÖSD KID A2

ÖSD KID A2 assesses the linguistic competence of children and young learners in simple, routine situations of everyday life. It focuses on the simple and direct exchange of information regarding familiar topics. This exam is offered for learners aged 10 years and over.

ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 is especially directed at immigrants to Austria aged 16 or above. All texts and situations used reflect daily life in Austria. This exam also exists in an altered version for young learners aged 12 and above.

ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 / Jugendliche

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 / Jugendliche is especially directed at children and young learners aged 12 or above speaking German as a Second Language. All texts and situations within the exam reflect daily life in Austria.

ÖSD Zertifikat B1

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.

ÖSD Zertifikat B1 / Jugendliche

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B1 / Jugendliche certifies the candidate’s ability of independent language use in everyday life and school situations dealing with familiar topics and personal interests. This exam is directed at learners aged 12 and over.

ÖSD Zertifikat B2

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.

ÖSD Zertifikat B2 / Jugendliche

This exam is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in communicative situations that go beyond the private sphere, as well as (semi-)public and professional fields. The same requirements as for ÖSD Zertifikat B2 apply, though the text and topics are tailored to young learners.

ÖSD Zertifikat C1

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C1 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in different professional and social situations dealing with more complex contexts.

ÖSD Zertifikat C1 / Jugendliche

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C1 / Jugendliche certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in different professional and social situations dealing with more complex contexts.

ÖSD Zertifikat C2

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in various complex situations in a business and social context.This exam certifies general as well as specialist language competence characterized by a high degree of accuracy, correctness and situation-specific appropriateness.

ÖSD Zertifikat C2 / Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C2 / Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in various complex situations in business and professional contexts. This exam certifies general as well as specialist language competence characterized by a high degree of accuracy, correctness and situation-specific appropriateness.

ÖSD Integration Exam A2

The ÖSD Integration Exam A2 was designed for immigrants to Austria, in order for them to fulfil Module 1 of the Integration Agreement and comprises a linguistic part as well as a part about Austrian values.

ÖSD Integration Exam B1 The ÖSD Integration Exam B1 was designed for immigrants in Austria – especially third country nationals – in order for them to fulfil Module 2 of the Austrian Integration Agreement, which comprises a linguistic part as well as a part about Austrian values.

➕What levels do the ÖSD exams certify?

Level	Proficiency	Exam	Austrian Version
A1	Basic level Daily situations	ÖSD Zertifikat A1	ÖSD Zertifikat A1 / Österreich
A1 Young learners	Young learners in school and semi-public situations	ÖSD KID A1
A2	Basic level in simple professional situations	ÖSD Zertifikat A2	ÖSD Zertifikat A2 / Österreich
A2 Young learners	Young learners in simple, routine situations of everyday	ÖSD KID A2
A2 Integration	Basic level in simple routine of everyday and professional life in Austria.	ÖSD Integration Exam A2
B1	Practical language skills for everyday use and in the context of professional life.	ÖSD Zertifikat B1	ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1
B1 Young learners	IUse in everyday life and school situations with familiar topics and personal interests.	ÖSD Zertifikat B1 / Jugendliche	ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 / Jugendliche
B1 Integration	Designed for immigrants in Austria.	ÖSD Integration Exam B1
B2	broad range of topics and converse with native speakers spontaneously and fluently.	ÖSD Zertifikat B2
B2 Young learners	Competence in communicative situations beyond the private, and in professional fields	ÖSD Zertifikat B2 / Jugendliche
C1	Competence with high degree of accuracy and correctness.	ÖSD Zertifikat C1
C1 Young learners	Competence with high degree of accuracy and correctness.	ÖSD Zertifikat C1 / Jugendliche
C2	Specialist language competence	ÖSD Zertifikat C2
C2 Business	Complex business and professional contexts.	ÖSD Zertifikat C2 / Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch

➕How long do the German ÖSD exams last for?

The Complete Exam last for 90 minutes in the lower levels to about 210 minutes for the C2. The higher level Exams take more time.

The Written Module Lasts between 1 to 3 hours depending on the Level. The Speaking Module lasts for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the level.

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