Practise ÖSD Zertifikat A1.
65 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Mostly for spousal reunification: anyone joining a partner in Germany usually has to prove basic German.
The ÖSD certificate comes from Austria and is recognised across the German-speaking world. Its tasks draw more often on everyday situations in Austria.
- Lesen (Reading)25 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)10 minAnswer key, instant
- Schreiben (Writing)20 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)10 minIn preparation here
- Total65 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of ÖSD Zertifikat A1 are divided, following the board's published format. Knowing the parts means losing no exam time to the instructions.
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Matching adverts | Match five sentences to the right one of six adverts; one is spare. (Matching) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Yes or no | A short text, six statements: yes or no. (Yes or no) | 6 tasks |
| Teil 3Matching pictures | Match five short texts to pictures; one picture is spare. (Matching) | 5 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Recordings and photos | Match five short recordings to photos; one photo is spare. (Matching) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 2Message | A message, complete five details on the note sheet. (Completing notes) | 5 tasksplayed twice |
| Teil 3People interviewed | Five people are interviewed, one three-option question each. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Form | Fill in a form with ten fields. (Filling in a form) | 10 tasks |
| Teil 2E-mail | Reply to an e-mail, about 30 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Introduction | Introduce yourself briefly. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Picture description | Describe a picture simply. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Role play | An everyday situation as a role play. (Oral) | – |
Figures follow the board's published format. Your test centre's exam regulations are always what counts.
What happens if you do not pass
The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part. Your test centre sets the fee, and it differs from place to place.
What level A1 demands
The written part takes 55 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 25 minutes. ÖSD tests the same four skills but draws more often on everyday situations in Austria.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand single words and very short sentences: signs, adverts, a form, a short note.
- Hören (Listening)
- Understand announcements spoken very slowly and clearly about familiar things: times, prices, directions.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Fill in a form and write a short, simple message, such as a postcard or a cancellation.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Introduce yourself, ask the way, buy something, in simple sentences, with pauses.
Where A1 is usually lost
The commonest reason for failing A1 is not missing vocabulary but the form: whoever assigns the columns wrongly loses points the language had long earned.
As a guideline, about 80 to 200 lessons from zero are quoted for A1. The range is wide because prior knowledge of a related language changes the effort a lot. It serves rough planning, not as a promise.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does ÖSD Zertifikat A1 take?
- About 65 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 25 minutes, Hören (Listening) 10 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 20 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 10 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for ÖSD Zertifikat A1?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for A1 take?
- As a guideline, about 80 to 200 lessons from zero are quoted for A1 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.