The graded language examination: German test for immigrants
To obtain the "Zertifikat Integrationskurs" you must first prove that you have been awarded the overall result of B1 in the "German test for immigrants" (DTZ) language examination. This shows that you have achieved an important objective of the integration course.
What can I expect the DTZ to be like?
The DTZ consists of a written and an oral examination. The written part lasts 100 minutes and consists of listening and reading exercises. You must also write a short letter. The oral examination lasts approximately 15 minutes. During this time, you must introduce yourself briefly and talk with the examiners and another examination candidate about specific topics.
At the end, you will receive a certificate that certifies your overall language skills at skill level B1 or A2. If your language skills have not yet reached level A2, you will not receive a certificate but you will be given a letter confirming your result.
The A2 and B1 language levels
To attain language level B1 or language level A2 in the examination, you must achieve the relevant level in the "Speaking" part of the examination and in one of the other two parts of the examination "Hearing and Reading" or "Writing".
This means that attendees on literacy courses, who will not usually have reached level B1 by the end of the course, will also be able to at least demonstrate an overall language level of A2.
The basis of the DTZ
The DTZ course content is based on the core curriculum for integration courses developed by the Goethe Institute. It ensures that the exercises in the examination focus on immigrants’ communication needs.
In addition to a version for adults, there is a version for young people that is used on the youth integration course.
How can I prepare myself for the DTZ?
Preparing for the examination is an important part of the immigration course. Here you will become familiar with the separate parts of the examination and be able to practise the exercises with other course attendees.
Sample test and online test
In addition, you can download a sample test paper for the DTZ as a pdf document here and obtain an initial overview of the examination. In addition to sample exercises, extensive information is also provided on taking the examination and how it is assessed. The recordings for the listening comprehension part of the examination can be downloaded as MP3 files.
Sample listening and reading exercises for the DTZ are also available on the Goethe Institute’s website, where you can work on them directly online.
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Permission to take the final examination a second time
If you have only attained level A2 in the DTZ, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees may allow you to repeat the follow-on language course once (an additional 300 lessons). The condition for this is that you have attended an integration course according to the rules (link to attendance; here there is an explanation of what “according to the rules” means). The approval to repeat the course also includes the right to re-sit the language examination once free of charge.
