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Examinations
Examinations and Certificates
To successfully complete the integration course and receive the “Integration Course Certificate”, you must first demonstrate an overall B1 result in the language exam “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer” (DTZ).
The four German Tests for the Profession (DTB) are the final examinations for the specialized job-related language courses A2 and B1 as well as for the basic job-related language courses B2 and C1.
These job-related language courses are part of the vocational German language support program offered in Germany under Section 45a of the Residence Act.
The exams were developed by telc gGmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs under the professional supervision of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
The exams follow a largely similar format. The content, task types, and procedures are very similar, but they are always adapted to the respective language level.
What to Expect in the DTZ?
The DTZ consists of a written and an oral examination.
The written exam lasts 100 minutes and includes tasks in listening and reading.
You will also need to write a short letter.
The oral exam lasts about 15 minutes.
During this time, you will introduce yourself briefly and speak with the examiners and another participant about specific topics.
At the end, you will receive a certificate confirming your overall language level of B1 or A2.
If your language skills are below A2, you will not receive a certificate, but only a notification of your result.
Basis of the DTZ
The DTZ is based on the framework curriculum for integration courses developed by the Goethe-Institut.
This curriculum ensures that the exam tasks are consistently oriented toward the communication needs of immigrants.
In addition to the adult version, there is also a version for young people, which is used in youth integration courses.
How Can I Prepare for the DTZ?
Exam preparation is an important part of the integration course.
There, you will become familiar with the different parts of the exam and practice solving the tasks together with the other course participants.
Practice Test and Online Test
In addition, you can download a practice test (sample test) for the DTZ as a PDF document to get an initial overview of the exam.
Besides sample tasks, it also contains detailed information about the exam procedure and evaluation.
The audio recordings for the listening section can also be downloaded as MP3 files.
All current practice tests can be found on the website of Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung.
You can also complete DTZ sample tasks for listening and reading online on the website of the Goethe-Institut.
Test “Living in Germany”
Downloads
The “Living in Germany” test takes place after the orientation course on a separate date.
It includes, for example, questions about Germany’s political system, religious diversity, and gender equality.
An overview of all topics relevant to the test can be found in the question catalog for the “Living in Germany” test as well as in the curriculum for the orientation course.
What Can I Expect in the Test?
All test participants receive a questionnaire with a total of 33 questions.
For each question, there are four possible answers on the questionnaire.
Participants must mark the correct answer.
Participants have 60 minutes to answer the 33 questions.
The test is passed if at least 15 out of 33 questions are answered correctly.
To also provide proof of knowledge according to Section 10 (1) sentence 1 number 7 of the Nationality Act, at least 17 out of the 33 questions must be answered correctly, according to Section 1 (3) of the Naturalization Test Ordinance.
How Can I Prepare for the Test?
Preparation for the test is part of the orientation course. If you would like to become familiar with the test beforehand, you can download a sample test sheet.
The sample test sheet shows what the questionnaires of the “Living in Germany” test look like.
On the day of the exam, all participants receive their own test sheet with 33 individual questions.
Of course, all test sheets have the same level of difficulty.
Both the sample questionnaire and the question catalog can also be completed interactively in the online test center of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
This allows you to prepare for the “Living in Germany” test while attending the course.
After completing the online question catalog, the correct answer for each of the 310 questions will be displayed.
You can also complete the online sample test sheet and check the correct answers afterward.
The “Integration Course Certificate” offers you many advantages.
It certifies sufficient German language skills and important basic knowledge about German society.
It can also make naturalization easier.
If the certificate confirms the successful completion of an integration course, you may apply for German citizenship after seven years of legal residence in Germany according to the Nationality Act (§ 10 para. 3 sentence 1 StAG)—normally, eight years are required.
By successfully completing the orientation course, you can also demonstrate basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
These are required when applying for a permanent settlement permit.
The relevant information can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in the following languages: German, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Turkish.