Final examination
- Information about the language examination
- Permission to re-sit the language examination once
- Which language skills does the DTZ certify?
- Implementation of the language examinations
- How to prepare for the examination
- Qualification programme for examiners in the speaking part of the examination
- The standard federal orientation course test
- Sample test and the General Catalogue of test questions
- Interactive sample test
- Interactive list of questions
Information about the language examination
The DTZ ("Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer") consists of a written and an oral examination. Upon successful completion of the DTZ, participants receive a certificate to certify their overall language results at skill level B1 or A2. In order to have the B1 language level confirmed, candidates must achieve level B1 in the "speaking" part and in one of the two other parts of the examination, either "listening and reading" or "writing".
Integration course certificate
The language examination follows the orientation course test. If a course participant passes both the DTZ language test at level B1 and the orientation course test, a "Zertifikat Integrationskurs" certificate will be issued, confirming successful completion of the integration course.
By passing the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" (DTZ), candidates demonstrate that they have successfully achieved an important objective of the integration course. Attendees at literacy courses who have not yet generally attained the B1 level at the end of the course can use this method to prove that their overall language skill level is at level A2.
Background information
The Goethe-Institut and telc GmbH have developed the German test for immigrants (DTZ). The core curriculum for integration courses provided by the Goethe-Institut was used as the basis for developing the test. At the end of the language course, the DTZ gives participants the opportunity to prove their acquired language skills at skill levels A2 to B1 according to the Common European Framework for Languages (CER). This means that all participants receive a certificate even if they have not yet achieved level B1 in all the skill areas. At the same time, the tasks focus on the special communication needs of the immigrant target group. In addition to a version for adults, there is also a version for young people that is used on the youth integration course.
Permission to re-sit the language examination once
If a candidate has taken the DTZ but has only gained an A2 certificate in the examination, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) may give permission for the follow-on language course to be repeated on a one-off basis, constituting an extra 300 lessons. It is, however, a condition that the candidate has previously attended the integration course in accordance with the rules. The approval to repeat the course also includes the right to repeat the language examination once free of charge.
Which language skills does the DTZ certify?
The DTZ is based on a communicative and interactive teaching and learning approach, i.e. examination candidates actively tackle communicative tasks in the four skills areas of reading, listening, writing and speaking – albeit at different levels of competence.
Overall result of B1
Candidates gaining an overall result of B1 in the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" prove that they can master everyday linguistic problems flexibly at the lower level of "independent language use" by conducting a conversation, for example, and being able to express what they wish to say in everyday situations. Their vocabulary is adequate to express themselves, if sometimes hesitantly and with a need to paraphrase, on subjects such as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel and current events.
Overall result of A2
Candidates gaining an overall result of A2 in the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" prove that they can understand sentences and frequently-used expressions at the upper level of the "elementary language use" in areas of direct importance (for example information about themselves and their family, shopping, work and the local environment). In addition, they can make themselves understood in simple, routine situations which deal with a straightforward and direct exchange of information about familiar and common situations, i.e. they can describe in simple terms their own background and education, their immediate environment and things related to their immediate needs, for example.
Necessary communication skills
In order to be able to communicate successfully in the specified subject areas, candidates must use a variety of methods of verbal expression (subject-related vocabulary, grammatical structures, discourse strategies, appropriate use of language, etc.). You can find more detailed descriptions of the necessary active and passive skills in the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer. Prüfungsziele. Testbeschreibung" examination handbook.
Implementation of the language examinations
The management, co-ordination and monitoring functions concerned with implementing the integration courses are undertaken by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, which has appointed telc GmbH as the testing institute responsible for organising the examinations.
The DTZ is offered as part of the integration course by providers approved by the BAMF. Language examinations of equal or higher value can be recognised to certify successful completion of the integration course.
How to prepare for the examination
Preparing for the examination is an important part of the integration course. Candidates learn about the individual parts of the examination and practise strategies with other course participants on how best to tackle the tasks.
You can also download practice exercises for the DTZ free of charge using the links below.
In addition to the sample tasks, you will also find detailed information on how the examination is organised and assessed in the practice exercises. This information will give attendees at the integration course an initial overview of the examination, and they can use it to prepare for the exam or use it for a mock examination. The recordings for the listening comprehension parts of the examination can also be downloaded via the link below.
Alternatively, candidates can also work online to practise the passive reading/listening parts of the tests online.
Qualification programme for examiners in the speaking part of the examination
Examiners who wish to test candidates on the oral part of the "Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer" language examination must have a valid examiner’s licence for the new examination. Free training sessions are offered by telc GmbH to achieve this.
The standard federal orientation course test
In the standard federal orientation course test, each test candidate receives a questionnaire with a total of 25 questions. The questions are multiple choice, with four possible answers given for each question. The correct answer must be indicated by making a cross next to it. Test candidates have 45 minutes to answer the 25 questions. To pass the test, candidates must answer at least 13 of the 25 questions correctly. The General Catalogue of Orientation Course test questions and the orientation course curriculum provide an overview of all the topics covered by the test.
Sample test and the General Catalogue of test questions
The sample test paper shows what the test questionnaires used for the orientation course test look like. The level of difficulty of the sample test corresponds to that of the questionnaire used for the actual test. On the day of the test, each participant receives his/her own test paper; each has a different combination of 25 questions. It goes without saying that all papers have the same level of difficulty. The General Catalogue of orientation course test questions can be downloaded from the internet. It contains all 250 possible questions.
Interactive sample test
An interactive sample test paper can be completed on-line as a trial run. Once you have answered all the questions, you will be shown which questions you have answered correctly and which are incorrect. You can also choose to have the correct answers displayed on screen.
Interactive list of questions
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has made the General Catalogue of 250 examination questions permitted for the naturalisation test available online (only in German). By working on the online list of questions, candidates can prepare for the orientation course test whilst taking the course. Once a question has been answered, the correct answer will be shown immediately.
