Practise ÖSD Zertifikat A2.
85 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Often needed to extend a residence permit, and a stepping stone on the way to B1.
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)30 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)15 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)30 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)10 minIn preparation here
- Total85 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of ÖSD Zertifikat A2 are divided, following the board's published format. Knowing the parts means losing no exam time to the instructions.
* For these parts the board's public material states no item count; the figure follows the model test and is an approximation.
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Matching headlines | Match five short texts to the right one of ten headlines. (Matching) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Text with tasks | A text, five three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 *Task 1 | Short recordings, global understanding. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed twice |
| Teil 2 *Task 2 | A longer recording, detailed understanding. (True or false) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 3 *Task 3 | Short recordings, detailed understanding. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed twice |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Personal e-mail | Write a personal e-mail in reply to a prompt text. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Introducing yourself | Introduce yourself along five topics. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Planning an activity | Plan a joint activity. (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 A2 demands
The written part takes 75 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 30 minutes. ÖSD tests the same four skills but draws more often on everyday situations in Austria.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand short everyday texts: adverts, menus, timetables and simple personal letters.
- Hören (Listening)
- Catch the essentials of short, clear announcements and conversations on familiar topics.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write short notes and a simple personal message, such as an invitation or an apology.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Hold simple conversations about family, work and daily life and cope in familiar situations.
Where A2 is usually lost
At A2 many lose points in listening because they try to write while hearing the text the first time. The tasks are built so that listening first and marking afterwards works better.
As a guideline, about 200 to 350 lessons from zero are quoted for A2. 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 A2 take?
- About 85 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 30 minutes, Hören (Listening) 15 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 30 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 10 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for ÖSD Zertifikat A2?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for A2 take?
- As a guideline, about 200 to 350 lessons from zero are quoted for A2 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.