ÖSD Exam — Everything About the Austrian Language Diploma
The Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD) is an internationally recognized Austrian German language certificate. It is accepted by immigration authorities in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and is recognized for academic and professional purposes worldwide. If you are planning to live or work in Austria, the ÖSD certificate is the natural choice.
ÖSD Levels and Certificates
The ÖSD offers certificates at every level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2. Each certificate focuses on practical language use in real-life contexts.
- ✓ÖSD KID A1/A2: for children and young learners
- ✓ÖSD Zertifikat A1/A2: general adult level
- ✓ÖSD Zertifikat B1/B2: independent user level
- ✓ÖSD Zertifikat C1/C2: proficient user level
- ✓ÖSD B2 Medizin: for healthcare professionals — see our separate article
How the ÖSD Differs from Goethe and telc
All three certificates are internationally recognized and based on the CEFR. The practical differences for test-takers are relatively small, but there are some nuances worth knowing.
- ✓ÖSD uses Austrian standard German — expect some vocabulary that is more common in Austria (e.g., Jänner for Januar)
- ✓ÖSD speaking exams sometimes focus more on discussion and negotiation tasks
- ✓ÖSD exam fees are comparable to Goethe and telc
- ✓For immigration to Austria (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte, family reunification), ÖSD certificates are fully accepted
- ✓The content and difficulty level at each CEFR level is equivalent across all three providers
Tipp: If you are planning to live specifically in Austria, taking the ÖSD exam gives you experience with the vocabulary and cultural contexts you will actually encounter there.
ÖSD Exam Structure
Like all German exam providers, ÖSD tests reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The exact format differs slightly by level, but the structure is similar to other CEFR-aligned tests.
- ✓Reading: 2–3 tasks with different text types (informational, literary, everyday)
- ✓Listening: 2–3 tasks with recorded audio
- ✓Writing: 1–2 tasks (letter, opinion text, or form completion depending on level)
- ✓Speaking: 2–3 parts, usually including a monologue and a dialogue task
Preparation Tips Specific to ÖSD
The best preparation for the ÖSD follows the same principles as for any German exam, with a few Austria-specific additions.
- ✓Download free ÖSD practice tests from the official ÖSD website (osd.at)
- ✓Familiarize yourself with common Austrian vocabulary and expressions
- ✓Practice with the ÖSD modellsatz (official model tests) for your target level
- ✓Use Österreich-Deutsch learning materials from ÖBV or öbvhpt publishers
- ✓Watch Austrian TV channels (ORF) for authentic Austrian German input