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Exam target

For the ÖSD Zertifikat B1, you must understand the main points of oral and written texts dealing with familiar topics related to work, study, or everyday life. You should be able to handle most situations and contexts within these areas of use and produce simple, coherent texts on familiar or personally interesting topics, such as describing experiences, events, wishes, plans, or expressing opinions.

The exam is aimed at students aged 16 and older and consists of four modules: Reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression, which can be taken independently or in combination.

The ÖSD-Zertifikat B1 was developed jointly by the ÖSD, the Center for Language Learning Research at the University of Freiburg in Switzerland, and the Goethe-Institut.

Structure of the ÖSD B1 exam:

Modul Lesen

You will solve 5 different exercises for global, detailed, and selective reading comprehension of authentic texts such as blogs, press articles, advertisements, letters to the editor, and regulations from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

 

⏱️ Duration: 65 minutes 

5 tasks - 30 items:

  • Task 1: 6 items (Blog - True/False)
  • Task 2: 3 items (Press articles - multiple choice)
  • Task 3: 7 items (Advertisements - assignment)
  • Task 4: 7 items (Letters to the editor - Yes/No)
  • Task 5: 4 items (Regulations - multiple choice)
     

📊 100 points maximum

Modellsatz ZB1: Lesen

Modul Hören

You will listen to various authentic texts such as telephone conversations, radio broadcasts, presentations, and discussions on everyday topics in standard German from Austria, Germany, or Switzerland.

 

⏱️ Duration: 40 minutes 

4 tasks - 30 items:

  • Task 1: 10 items (Short texts - True/False + multiple choice)
  • Task 2: 5 items (Presentation - multiple choice)
  • Task 3: 7 items (Conversation - True/False)
  • Task 4: 8 items (Discussion - speaker assignment)
     

📊 100 points maximum

Modellsatz ZB1: Hören

Modul Schreiben

You will write three different texts: a personal email, an opinion for an internet forum, and a formal email. The texts are evaluated considering task completion, coherence, vocabulary, and linguistic accuracy.

 

⏱️ Duration: 60 minutes 

3 tasks:

  • Task 1: Personal email (approx. 80 words) - 20 min
  • Task 2: Opinion for forum (approx. 80 words) - 25 min
  • Task 3: Formal email (approx. 40 words) - 15 min

📊 100 points maximum

Modellsatz ZB1: Schreiben

Modul Sprechen

You will complete three exercises: plan something together with your partner, present a topic chosen from two options, and discuss the presented topic. Task completion, fluency, vocabulary, and linguistic accuracy are evaluated.

 

⏱️ Duration: 15 min (+ 15 min preparation)

3 tasks:

  • Task 1: Joint planning (approx. 3 minutes)
  • Task 2: Individual presentation (approx. 3 minutes)
  • Task 3: Discussion about presentations (approx. 2 minutes)

📊 100 points maximum

Modellsatz ZB1: Sprechen

Exam administration

The ÖSD Zertifikat B1 consists of four modules: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. The modules can be taken and certified individually or in combination. If all four modules are passed on one exam date, a complete certificate is issued. You will also receive a complete certificate if you take and pass the four modules within one year at the same exam center. If individual modules are passed, a module certificate is issued for each module.

The exam is conducted by two trained ÖSD examiners each. They then evaluate the candidates' exam performance (see Gesamtbogen). Upon request, it is possible to review the answer and evaluation sheet. Here you will find the Exam Regulations and the Implementation Guidelines.

Register now! Limited seats available – Deadline: Oct 31, 2025

Exam date

FAQs

Registration is done exclusively online, directly through the registration form and takes place during the registration period published on our website. Note that the institute only opens its doors to the public during exam dates. You can find detailed registration and exam dates at the following link: Official ÖSD German exam at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires

The ÖSD exam is held in person at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires, located at Bulnes 644.

To register, you must complete the ÖSD registration form and pay for the exam during the corresponding registration period.

On exam day, you must present a valid official identity document with photo (for example, passport, ID card, etc.).

You can find the current fees for the different ÖSD exams at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires at the following link: Official ÖSD German exam at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires

Yes, both regular students at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires and regular students at Argentine public universities get a discount on the official ÖSD exam. The ÖSD exam fees on our website under "Current Prices."

Yes, ÖSD exams (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) constitute an internationally valid accreditation of German language knowledge. The examination foundations, developed according to the strictest quality criteria, are designed according to the criteria established by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and guarantee you a professional and objective evaluation of your language knowledge.

Yes, ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) is a member of ALTE.

To practice for the German exams, ÖSD provides exam models that you can download for free from the following link:  https://www.osd.at/downloads/

If you are a student at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires, we recommend taking advantage of the final test of our extensive or intensive courses that takes place through our virtual platform, which represents a very useful opportunity to practice before taking the ÖSD.
 

We also recommend using the exam models provided by ÖSD, which you can download for free from the following link: https://www.osd.at/downloads/ The exam models will give you a first impression of how ÖSD exams are structured. Make sure to consult the models that correspond to your German level before taking the exam.

You can take each exam or exam module as many times as you wish, completing the registration again each time and paying for the exam. In exams with two modules, the Written Exam module (Reading, Listening, Written Expression) can only be repeated in its entirety.

Yes, ÖSD exams are independent of our courses, meaning you can register for all ÖSD exams at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires even if you are not taking a German course with us.

No, the official ÖSD exams are independent of Sprachzentrum's German courses.

No, the official ÖSD exams are independent of Sprachzentrum's German courses. The ÖSD exam fees are detailed under "Current Prices."

No, the ÖSD exam is only taken in person, and at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires the exam takes place at Bulnes 644. The institute opens its doors to registered people during exam periods.

Yes. ÖSD, like telc and Goethe, is a standardized exam and is a member of ALTE. All three exams are used to assess German language knowledge and have a common structure. Often, your choice of exam depends on your personal preferences.

Yes, since ÖSD is a certified examination organization in accordance with ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) standards, just like telc and Goethe.

Yes, since ÖSD is a certified examination organization in accordance with ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) standards, just like telc and Goethe.

Yes, since ÖSD is a certified examination organization in accordance with ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) standards. We recommend consulting with the corresponding institution about which certificates and what level you need for your procedure.

We recommend consulting with the corresponding institution. You can find detailed information at the following links:

Germany:

📋 Language requirements for living in Germany

Austria:

📋 Information about residence permits

Switzerland:

📋 Required language competencies

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