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Welcome to ​JRG German Akademie
Welcome to ​JRG German Akademie
Official Exam Cooperation Partner of ÖSD(Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) in Kumbakonam, India

ÖSD exams

The ÖSD provides a wide range of internationally recognized exams that are accepted worldwide by universities, employers, professional bodies and governments. The exams are based on the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), starting at A1 for beginners through to C2 for professional language skills at the highest level.


The exam format was revised in 2019, favouring a format where exam modules may be taken individually or in combination with one another.

ÖSD Zertifikat A1

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A1, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple situations of their everyday life.

ÖSD Zertifikat A1 is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities.

ÖSD KID A1

ÖSD KID A1 assesses the linguistic competence of children and young learners in private, school-related and semi-public situations. It focuses on the simple and direct exchange of information regarding familiar topics.

This exam is offered for learners aged 10 years and over.

ÖSD Zertifikat A2

For the exam ÖSD Zertifikat A2, candidates should be able to communicate on a basic level in simple, routine situations of their everyday, as well as their professional life.

This exam is directed at learners aged 14 and over and certifies language competence in routine situations with familiar topics and activities.

ÖSD KID A2

ÖSD KID A2 assesses the linguistic competence of children and young learners in simple, routine situations of everyday life. It focuses on the simple and direct exchange of information regarding familiar topics.

This exam is offered for learners aged 10 years and over.


ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich B1 is especially 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 candidate’s ability of independent language use in everyday life and professional situations. All texts and situations used reflect daily life in Austria.


ÖSD Zertifikat B1

With an ÖSD Zertifikat B1 qualification, you will master the basics of German and prove to have practical language skills for everyday use such as dealing with familiar situations and personal interests, as well as everyday situations in the context of professional life.

This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and above. A specially designed exam format is available for our young learners from twelve upwards.

ÖSD Zertifikat B2

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat B2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and in detail on a broad range of topics and conduct a normal conversation with native speakers in a spontaneous and fluent way.

This exam certifies language competence in communicative situations that go beyond the private sphere, as well as (semi-)public and professional fields. Candidates are able to understand text dealing with their area of expertise.

This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and over, an altered version is tailored to young learners aged 14 and above.

ÖSD Zertifikat 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 characterized by a high degree of accuracy, correctness and situation-specific appropriateness.

ÖSD Zertifikat C1 is particularly aimed at people learning German wishing to study at a German-speaking university and directed at learners aged 16 and over. The additional altered version is tailored to young learners aged 14 and above.

ÖSD Zertifikat C2

The exam ÖSD Zertifikat C2 certifies a candidate’s ability to communicate in various complex situations in a business and social context.

This exam certifies general as well as specialist language competence characterized by a high degree of accuracy, correctness and situation-specific appropriateness.

This exam is directed at learners aged 16 and above.





ÖSD exams by international standards

ÖSD exams correspond with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The tables provide an overview of ÖSD exams, as compared to international standards. The tables do not claim to be exhaustive.

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Recognition of ÖSD Exams

Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Germany

Recognition of ÖSD Exams in Germany

  • ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) and higher levels (ZA2–ZC2) are recognized as proof of German language competence for spouse immigration and permanent residence under the German Immigration Act (family reunification).

  • These certificates are also accepted for admission to German-speaking vocational institutions in Germany (e.g., vocational training programs, language schools).

  • For admission to German-speaking university programs, the required level varies by university and field of study:

    • ÖSD Zertifikat A2 for preparatory courses ("Studienkolleg").
    • ÖSD Zertifikat B1, B2, C1, or C2 for regular university enrollment.

  • ÖSD Zertifikat B1 is accepted as proof of German language proficiency for naturalization and citizenship applications in Germany.

Austria

Recognition of ÖSD Exams in Austria

  • ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) and higher levels (ZA2–ZC2) are recognized as proof of German language competence for family reunification under the Settlement and Residence Act (family members applying for permanent residence).

  • These certificates are also accepted for admission to German-speaking vocational institutions in Austria, such as the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Caritas Training Centre for Social Professions.

  • For admission to German-speaking study programs at Austrian universities, the required level depends on the program:

    • ÖSD Zertifikat A2 for preparatory years (application for a preparatory course, "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Studienplatzes").
    • ÖSD Zertifikat B1, B2, C1, or C2 for regular university enrollment, depending on the field of study and university requirements.
Switzerland

Recognition of ÖSD Exams in Switzerland

  • ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) and higher levels (ZA2–ZC2) are recognized as proof of German language competence for family reunification and permanent residence under the Swiss Immigration Act.

  • These certificates are also accepted for admission to German-speaking vocational institutions in Switzerland.

  • For admission to German-speaking study programs at Swiss universities, the required level varies by university and program:

    • ÖSD Zertifikat B2, C1, or C2 for regular university enrollment. The specific level depends on the university and the field of study.

Passing Criteria for Each Level

To pass the ÖSD exam at levels A1, A2, B2, and C1, candidates must achieve the minimum required scores in each subtest (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) as well as a combined score in the Written Module (the total of Reading, Writing, and Listening). For the B1 and C2 levels, however, there is no combined score requirement—each subtest score is counted individually.

A1
A2
B1
B2
A1

ÖSD- Zertifikat A1

Minimum Combined Score of 38 in Reading, Writing, and Listening Modules Required to Pass

Maximum MarksMinimum Marks
required for Passing
Reading:30 Marks6 Marks
Listening:30 Marks6 Marks
Writing:15 Marks4 Marks in Writing Task 2
Speaking:25 Marks12 Marks
A2

ÖSD- Zertifikat A2

Minimum Combined Score of 35 in Reading, Writing, and Listening Modules Required to Pass

Maximum MarksMinimum Marks
required for Passing
Reading:25 Marks5 Marks
Listening:30 Marks6 Marks
Writing:15 Marks3 Marks
Speaking:20 Marks10 Marks
B1

ÖSD- Zertifikat B1

Maximum MarksMinimum Marks
required for Passing
Reading:100 Marks60 Marks
Listening:100 Marks60 Marks
Writing:100 Marks60 Marks
Speaking:100 Marks60 Marks
B2

ÖSD- Zertifikat B2

Minimum Combined Score of 42 in Reading, Writing, and Listening Modules Required to Pass

Maximum MarksMinimum Marks
required for Passing
Reading:20 Marks10 Marks
Listening:20 Marks10 Marks
Writing:30 Marks15 Marks
Speaking:30 Marks18 Marks

Exams for adults by comparison

 Level ÖSD Goethe-Institut (GI) telc
 A1 ÖSD Zertifikat A1 Goethe-Zertifikat A1:
Start Deutsch 1
 Start Deutsch 1 / telc Deutsch A1
 A2 ÖSD Zertifikat A1  Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Start Deutsch 2 / telc Deutsch A2
 B1 ÖSD Zertifikat B1

(jointly developed by ÖSD, GI and Universität Freiburg/Switzerland; can be taken at ÖSD and Goethe exam centres)
Goethe-Zertifikat B1

(jointly developed by ÖSD, GI and Universität Freiburg/Switzerland; can be taken at ÖSD and Goethe exam centres)


telc Deutsch B1 
 B2 ÖSD Zertifikat B2  Goethe-Zertifikat B2 telc Deutsch B2
 C1 ÖSD Zertifikat C1  Goethe-Zertifikat C1 telc Deutsch C1
 C2
ÖSD Zertifikat C2
ÖSD Zertifikat C2/
Wirtschaftssprache Deutsch
 Goethe-Zertifikat C2:
Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom
 telc Deutsch C2

Model Question Paper Download

Download the model question paper for your exam preparation. This resource provides a comprehensive example of the exam format, types of questions, and difficulty level, helping you to practice effectively and enhance your performance. Get it now to get a head start on your studies.

A1
A2
B1
B2