Practise ÖSD Zertifikat B1.
180 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
The most requested level: naturalisation, the permanent settlement permit and the integration course all hinge on it.
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)65 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)40 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)60 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)15 minIn preparation here
- Total180 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of ÖSD Zertifikat B1 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 1Reading correspondence | A blog or message, six statements: true or false. (True or false) | 6 tasks |
| Teil 2Information and argument | Two press texts, six tasks with three options each. (Multiple choice) | 6 tasks |
| Teil 3Reading for orientation | Match seven situations to adverts; not every situation has one. (Matching) | 7 tasks |
| Teil 4Opinions | Seven readers' contributions: for or against? (Yes or no) | 7 tasks |
| Teil 5Written instructions | Rules or instructions, four tasks with three options each. (Multiple choice) | 4 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Announcements and instructions | Five short recordings, each with a true/false statement and a three-option question. (Multiple choice) | 10 tasksplayed twice |
| Teil 2Talk or guided tour | One speaker at length, five three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 3Everyday conversation | A conversation, seven statements: true or false. (True or false) | 7 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 4Radio discussion | Three people discuss: who says what? (Matching) | 8 tasksplayed twice |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Personal message | An informal e-mail covering three points, about 80 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Teil 2Giving an opinion | A forum post with your own opinion on a statement, about 80 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Teil 3Semi-formal message | A short polite message, apologising or asking for something, about 40 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Planning together | Plan an activity as a pair along four points. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Presentation | Present a topic along five slides. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Feedback | React to the other person's presentation and ask a question. (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 B1 demands
The written part takes 165 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 65 minutes. ÖSD tests the same four skills but draws more often on everyday situations in Austria.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand texts about work, school and leisure, and recognise wishes and opinions in private letters.
- Hören (Listening)
- Understand the main points of clear standard German, including radio pieces on familiar topics.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write connected texts on familiar topics and describe experiences and impressions in a letter.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Join conversations on everyday topics without preparation, justify an opinion and tell a story.
Where B1 is usually lost
At B1 the writing almost always decides. A missed Leitpunkt costs more points than a handful of grammar mistakes, and whoever misjudges the time never reaches the last point.
As a guideline, about 350 to 650 lessons from zero are quoted for B1. 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 B1 take?
- About 180 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 65 minutes, Hören (Listening) 40 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 60 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 15 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for ÖSD Zertifikat B1?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for B1 take?
- As a guideline, about 350 to 650 lessons from zero are quoted for B1 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.