What is ÖSD?
The German abbreviation ÖSD stands for “Österreich, Schweiz, Deutschland” (Austria, Switzerland, Germany). ÖSD promotes the concept of polycentric German and reflects the diversity of the German language in its examinations. ÖSD is the nationally recognized examination and assessment system for German as a foreign language and German as a second language. The ÖSD German exams align with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the German Language Profile. The ÖSD German exam is considered internationally recognized as proof of German language skills.
It means that standard options from the German-speaking countries Austria, Switzerland, and Germany will be treated equally and appear in all exams. Reading and listening tasks use texts from these countries.
ÖSD exams are internationally recognized and range from levels A1 to C2. The exams are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. The exams were adapted in 2019, allowing modules to be taken individually or in combination with one another, except ÖSD Integration exams.
Exams Consisting of Two Modules
ÖSD exams, consisting of two modules Written exam (Reading, Listening, Writing) and the Oral exam (Speaking), may be taken individually or in groups.
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 grouped with one another.
From its Origins until Today
The first preliminary work on the ÖSD began in 1992 on the initiative of ÖDaF in the context of a working group under the direction of Dr. Robert Saxer, University of Klagenfurt. In 1994, with (initially also financial) support of the former Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the former Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, ÖSD became a project at the University of Vienna within the German as a Foreign Language study programme, under the direction of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Krumm.
Numerous prominent German as a Foreign Language experts contributed significantly to ÖSD’s further development. On 1st December 1994, ÖSD was institutionalised under the trusteeship of Österreich-Kooperation – the Austrian agency for international mobility and cooperation in education, science and research, continues to be headed by Dr Manuela Glaboniat (Scientific Director and Managing Director).
Since then, the ÖSD has been supported and advised by a board of trustees. The board of trustees includes the Austrian Ministries stated above, as well as relevant institutions such as universities, other institutes of adult education, and interest groups, such as ÖDaF.
In terms of expert knowledge and proficiency, the ÖSD relies on a scientifically recommended board. On a case-by-case basis, the ÖSD also collaborates with other institutes for different projects, a recent example being the development of the exam Zertifikat B1, where it collaborated with the Goethe-Institute and the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, or with the Austrian Commerce Chambers for the development of the exam Zertifikat C2 / Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch.
In the meantime, at the end of 2009, the ÖSD became a self-sustaining non-profit organisation. The first exams were conducted in 1995, at the then 7 licensed centers. Today, more than 100,000 candidates from around the world take an ÖSD exam every year, at one of approximately 400 licensed centers.
In 1998, the ÖSD was awarded the “European Label for Innovative Projects in Language Teaching and Learning” by the European Commission.
ÖSD exams are internationally recognized and range from level A1 to C2.
For higher education/spouse immigration/relocation in German-speaking countries, certificates
are required. ÖSD, Telc, and Goethe Institut are commonly accepted certificates.
Exam Pattern A1 / A2 / B2 / C1:
These exams consist of two modules written exam (Reading, Listening, and Writing) and an oral exam
(Speaking). One can appear for a single module or both modules together. The exam is believed
to be completed when one has passed both the modules.
Exam Pattern B1 / C2:
These exams involve four modules: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. One can appear for
a single module or a combination of modules. The exam is believed to be completed when
one has passed all four modules.
Exam target A1
For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A1, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple state of affairs of their day-to-day life. ÖSD Zertifikat A1 is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities.
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat A1 comprises two modules: the Written exam (Reading, Listening, and Writing) and Oral exam (Speaking), concentrating mainly on the receptive skills in Reading and Listening.
Exam target A2
For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A2, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple, repetitive situations of their daily lives, as well as their professional lives.
This exam is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language proficiency in repetitive situations with familiar topics and activities.
Exam target B1
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 is primarily directed at immigrants to Austria aged 16 or above. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the Framework Curriculum for Integration Courses (RCC, Goethe-Institute), this exam assesses candidates’ ability to use language independently in life and professional situations. All texts and situations used reflect daily life in Austria.
This exam also exists in a reformed version for young learners aged 12 and above.
The exam comprises two modules: the Written exam (Reading, Listening, and Writing) and the Oral exam (Speaking), concentrating mainly on communicative competence, even though attention is also paid to formal accuracy.
Since the 1st of January 2024, this exam has been offered both as a paper examination and as a digital examination.
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 evolved from the exam B1 Zertifikat Deutsch, a joint product in cooperation with the Goethe-Institute, the telc GmbH in Germany, and the Center for Language Learning and Research at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat A2 comprises two modules: the Written exam (Reading, Listening, and Writing) and Oral exam (Speaking), focusing on the receptive skills in Reading and Listening.
Exam target B2
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics and conduct a normal conversation with native speakers in a natural and confident way.
This exam certifies language proficiency in communicative situations that go beyond the private sphere, as well as (semi-)public and professional fields. Candidates can understand text dealing with their area of expertise.
This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and over; a changed 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 on communicative proficiency, even though attention is also paid to formal accuracy.
Exam target C1
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C1 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in different professional and social situations, dealing with more complex contexts.
This exam certifies language competence written off as by a high degree of accuracy, correctness, and situation-specific relevance.
ÖSD Zertifikat C1 is particularly aimed at people learning German who wish to study at a German-speaking university and is directed at learners aged 16 and over. The additional reformed 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).
Exam target C2
The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in several complex circumstances in a business and social context.
This exam certifies general as well as specialist language proficiency illustrated by a high degree of accuracy, correctness, and situation-specific relevance.
This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and above.
The exam comprises four modules (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking). These modules can be sat and certified individually or taken in combination with one another.