Practise ÖSD Zertifikat B2.
230 minutes, four modules, pass mark 60 per cent. The first practice exam is free.
Structure and length
Required for many vocational training programmes, for the recognition of foreign qualifications and for work in nursing.
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)90 minAnswer key, instant
- Hören (Listening)30 minIn preparation here
- Schreiben (Writing)90 minMarked against the board's criteria, with a margin
- Sprechen (Speaking)20 minIn preparation here
- Total230 minPass mark 60 %
Structure by part
How the modules of ÖSD Zertifikat B2 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 1Statements on a text | A longer text, five three-option tasks. (Multiple choice) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 2Matching headlines | Match five texts to the right one of ten headlines. (Matching) | 5 tasks |
| Teil 3Gap text | A text with twenty gaps, fill in the right words. (Gap text, free entry) | 20 tasks |
| Teil 4 *Gap text with options | A text with ten gaps, three options each. (Gap text with options) | 10 tasks |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 *Task 1 | A longer recording, global and detailed understanding. (True or false) | 10 tasksplayed once |
| Teil 2 *Task 2 | A recording, complete information. (Completing notes) | 10 tasksplayed twice |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Formal e-mail | A formal e-mail such as a complaint, from notes, about 120 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Teil 2Argument | An opinion piece on one of two tasks, about 120 words. (Free writing) | 1 task |
| Part | What to do | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1Information exchange | Hold an information exchange. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 2Discussing a picture | Discuss a picture. (Oral) | – |
| Teil 3Discussion | Hold a discussion. (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 B2 demands
The written part takes 210 minutes in total; the longest single module is Lesen (Reading) at 90 minutes. ÖSD tests the same four skills but draws more often on everyday situations in Austria.
- Lesen (Reading)
- Understand articles and reports on current questions in which the writers take a particular stance.
- Hören (Listening)
- Follow longer talks and discussions, provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Write clear, detailed texts, argue a position and weigh advantages against disadvantages.
- Sprechen (Speaking)
- Speak fluently and spontaneously enough for a normal conversation with native speakers to take no effort.
Where B2 is usually lost
At B2 you are expected for the first time to argue a position, not only describe. Whoever answers by narrating instead of arguing loses in task fulfilment, even with flawless German.
As a guideline, about 600 to 800 lessons from zero are quoted for B2. 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 B2 take?
- About 230 minutes in total: Lesen (Reading) 90 minutes, Hören (Listening) 30 minutes, Schreiben (Writing) 90 minutes, Sprechen (Speaking) 20 minutes. The oral part often takes place on a different date.
- How many points do you need for ÖSD Zertifikat B2?
- Normally 60 per cent. The exam is marked as a whole. Whoever fails repeats every part.
- How long does preparing for B2 take?
- As a guideline, about 600 to 800 lessons from zero are quoted for B2 in total. Anyone who speaks a related language needs far fewer; the range is deliberately wide.