Our ÖSD Examination Offerings
Anyone who obtained their school-leaving qualification abroad and wishes to study, start vocational training, work in Germany, or provide proof of German language skills for certain residence-related purposes may, depending on their individual objective, require a recognized certificate of German language proficiency.
The Austrian Language Diploma German (ÖSD – Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) is a state-recognized examination system for German as a foreign and second language. ÖSD examinations are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), have a communicative focus, and are internationally recognized as proof of German language proficiency.
IBZ Dortmund offers ÖSD examinations at various language levels. Depending on the respective level, the examinations assess the skills of reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1)
✓ German language skills at an elementary level
✓ Communication in simple everyday situations
✓ Suitable as proof of German language proficiency for certain residence-related purposes, e.g. family reunification
✓ Written examination: Reading, Listening, and Writing
✓ Oral examination: Speaking
✓ The written and oral modules can be taken separately
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
ÖSD Zertifikat A2 (ZA2)
✓ Elementary German language skills for everyday and professional situations
✓ Communication in simple and routine situations
✓ Written examination: Reading, Listening, and Writing
✓ Oral examination: Speaking
✓ The written and oral modules can be taken separately
✓ Internationally recognized language certificate at level A2
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1)
✓ Independent use of German in everyday and professional situations
✓ Internationally recognized language certificate at level B1
✓ Four independent examination modules
✓ Reading module
✓ Listening module
✓ Writing module
✓ Speaking module
✓ Modules can be taken individually or in combination
✓ Successfully completed modules can be certified separately
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
ÖSD Zertifikat B2 (ZB2)
✓ Advanced German language skills
✓ Confident communication in everyday, public, and professional situations
✓ Understanding of more complex and subject-specific texts
✓ Written examination: Reading, Listening, and Writing
✓ Oral examination: Speaking
✓ The written and oral modules can be taken separately
✓ Internationally recognized language certificate at level B2
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
ÖSD Zertifikat C1 (ZC1)
✓ Advanced German language proficiency
✓ Confident communication even in complex social and professional situations
✓ Particularly suitable for German learners who wish to study at a German-speaking university
✓ Written examination: Reading, Listening, and Writing
✓ Oral examination: Speaking
✓ The written and oral modules can be taken separately
✓ Internationally recognized language certificate at level C1
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
ÖSD Zertifikat C2 (ZC2)
✓ Advanced German language proficiency
✓ Confident communication even in complex social and professional situations
✓ Particularly suitable for German learners who wish to study at a German-speaking university
✓ Written examination: Reading, Listening, and Writing
✓ Oral examination: Speaking
✓ The written and oral modules can be taken separately
✓ Internationally recognized language certificate at level C2
✓ Online registration with IBZ Dortmund
✓ Examination fee: pending
Results and Certificates
Examination results are communicated to participants by the examination center within 1–2 weeks. After successfully passing the examination, participants receive either a module certificate or a complete certificate, depending on the respective examination and the modules passed.
For A1, A2, B2, and C1, the examinations consist of the modules Written Examination and Oral Examination.
The ÖSD Zertifikat B1 is structured differently: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking are four independent modules that can be taken individually or in combination.
