What is ÖIF?
ÖIF (Österreichische Integrationsfonds) is a fund of the Republic of Austria and a partner of the federal government in promoting integration (source). This means that you must pass their exam if you want to get a visa for Austria.
What is the Structure of an ÖIF B1 Exam? (Wie ist die ÖIF B1-Prüfung aufgebaut?)
The test itself comprises two parts- the language part and the integration part.
The integration test is rather easy.
As long as candidates understand what the question is about (if they understand it in German), they will know the answer. You can find the full list of all the questions as well as the answers.
The language test contains four parts:
The whole test is done on the same day. Firstly, the entire group takes the listening, reading, writing, and integration test; then the speaking is done in pairs, where each group goes one after the other. Advantage is given to women with children at home, and for an average applicant, the entire test lasts from 9h in the morning until 15h or 17h in the afternoon, depending on the number of candidates.
The certificate is received in 4-6 weeks after the exam, and there is no way of knowing whether you passed or not before that. Usually, the certificate arrives in around 4 weeks at your home address. For anyone planning to take this test (especially if candidates plan to take a test in Vienna), they need to register for a test one to one and a half months in advance, as the appointments are usually booked months in advance.
Grammar Needed for the Exam (Grammatikkenntnisse für die Prüfung)
Well, B1, right?! Yeah, but what does that mean? There are several things that candidates need to know how to use, grammar-wise. However, candidates do not need to know all of these things perfectly. Candidates need to have a nice vocabulary, which is built only with practice, and it does not come overnight. Grammar is the base; vocabulary is everything else in the language. Candidates can have one without the other, but to speak and understand well, candidates need both. With all of that being said,
let's see what candidates need:
Building the sentences (normal, with modal verbs, in Perfekt). Apart from this, which is A2 level, candidates also need to know how to write ADUSO (Aber, Denn, Und, Sondern, Oder) sentences. Candidates should know how to frame dependent sentences using deshalb, deswegen, darum, trotzdem, and weil (and others).
How to describe things using adjectives and connect them with nouns. Those are conjugated in German and depend on the gender of the noun (Der Schal -> einen karierten Schal).
Expressions of time and opinions.
Those are super useful as candidates can use them for any topic. For example, Um 6 Uhr, Im Juli, Ich glaube, …, In meiner Heimat …, Ich finde das gut/schlecht, wenn ….
This is using those dependent sentences from above and expressing yourself.
Why do Candidates Need an ÖIF Examination, and what are the ÖIF Certificates a Recognition of? (Warum brauchen Kandidaten eine ÖIF-Prüfung, und was bescheinigt das ÖIF-Zertifikat?)
The Magistrate and an employer recognize the examinations as official proof of proficiency in the German language. For the first residence permit, candidates need the ÖIF A1 exam. This assesses their knowledge of German at the A1 level, including understanding of values and orientation. Candidates need the A2 integration test to extend their residence permit. This ÖIF exam tests their knowledge of German at the A2 level, including understanding of values and orientation. The B1 integration test is essential for citizenship and permanent residence. The B1 exam tests their knowledge of German at the B1 level, including knowledge of values and orientation. The ÖIF B2 exam tests their knowledge of German at level B2. Candidates need German language skills at level B2 to gain Austrian citizenship after a 6-year stay.
The ÖIF Exam (A1, A2, B1, or B2). What does this Exam Look Like? (Die ÖIF-Prüfung (A1, A2, B1 oder B2): Wie sieht diese Prüfung aus?)
All ÖIF exams consist of a written and an oral section.
A1 Exam (A1 Prüfung):
In the written exam, candidates have to answer questions about language modules (10 mins.), Listening (15 mins.), Reading and Writing (45 mins.) as well as knowledge of values and orientation (40 mins.). The test consists of true/false and MCQ(s). In the oral exam, the speaking section lasts 15 minutes. There are always 2 examiners to assess the language skills in the oral section.
A2 Exam (A2 Prüfung):
In the written exam, you must answer questions in the following sections: Listening (25 mins.), Reading (45 mins.), Writing (30 mins.), and knowledge of values and orientation (40 mins.). The test consists of true/false, MCQ(s), matching the correct answers, and writing a text on an answer sheet. In the oral exam, the speaking section lasts 15 minutes. There are always 2 examiners to assess the language skills in the oral section.
B1 Exam (B1 Prüfung):
The written exam includes questions on Reading (40 mins.), Listening (12 mins.), Writing (25 mins.), and knowledge of values and orientation (40 mins.). The test consists of true/false and MCQ(s), and writing a text on an answer sheet. In the oral exam, the speaking section lasts 15 minutes. There are always 2 examiners to assess the language skills in the oral section.
B2 Exam (B2 Prüfung):
In the written exam, you have to answer questions about the Reading and Sentence building modules (90 mins.), Listening (25 mins.) and Writing (30 mins.). You have to answer true/false questions, MCQ(s), and write a text. In the oral exam, speaking takes 15-25 minutes. The candidates have an individual preparation time of 20 minutes each, during which a German dictionary is allowed. There are always 2 examiners who assess the speaking.