Standardised language certificates

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The SZHB offers the following standardised, internationally recognised tests:

Preparation

  • Test preparation courses (TOEFL) (not available at the moment, unfortunately)
  • Tutoring programme
  • Language Resource Centre

It is a good idea to get our advice before registering for one of these tests. The links below will lead you to the information and contact details you need.

Overview of recognised language tests & certificates

Last updated: January 2024 (SZHB)

CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
Proof of language competence via Abitur/Fachhochschulreife awarded in Germanyat least 1 year of the language at schoolat least 3 years of the language at school

6 years of school lessons (including 11 grade)  (G8)

7 years of school lessons
(including 12 grade) (G9)

If the certificate expressly states you have achieved level B2/C1, it can be accepted as proof of B2 competence in that language.//
Proof of language competence via Abitur awarded abroad    If you attended  school until Abitur incl. university entrance qualification, this can be recognised as C1 in the primary medium of instruction/
UNIcert® certificate in that particular language UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® IUNIcert® IIUNIcert® IIIUNIcert® IV

 

A1A2B1B2C1C2
 UNIcert® Basis////
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
Deutsches Sprachdiplom der KMK DSD IDSD IDSD IIDSD II/
DSH   DSH-1DSH-2DSH-3
TestDaF   TDN 3/4TDN 4/5/
ÖSDÖSD A1ÖSD A2ÖSD B1ÖSD B2ÖSD C1ÖSD C2
TELC    TELC C1 Academic/
Goethe-ZertifikatStart Deutsch 1Start Deutsch 2B1 Zertifikat DeutschGoethe-Zertifikat B2Goethe-Zertifikat C1Goethe-Zertifikat GDS
Assessment test German  Studienkolleg   PassBestanden/
Bachelor's or Master's degree taught entirely in German   Bachelor's or Master's degree certificate & TranscriptBachelor's or Master's degree certificate & Transcript/

GDSGoethe-Zertifikat - Großes deutsches Sprachdiplom
ÖSDÖsterreichisches Sprachdiplom 

CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
Abitur in Germany
and specialized secondary schools (Fachhochschulreife)
at least 1 year of the language at schoolat least 3 years of the language at school

6 years of school lessons (including 11 grade)  (G8)

7 years of school lessons
(including 12 grade) (G9)

If the certificate explicitly states you have achieved B2/C1 in English, the SfS (Sekretariat für Studierende) will accept it as proof of B2 level of competence.//
Bilingual Abitur in Germany   Pass//
Cambridge Key English TestPreliminary English Test FCE
BEC
CAE
BECH
CPE
TOEFL iBT  42-71 points72-94 pointsAt least 95 points/
TOEIC  Listening/Reading 550
Speaking 120
Writing 120
Listening/Reading
785
Speaking 160
Writing 150
Listening/Reading
945
Speaking 180
Writing 180
/
British Council (IELTS) Academic  Band 4-5Band 5.5-6.5Band 7-8Band 8.5-9
UNIcert® English  (UNIcert® I)*UNIcert® IIUNIcert® III
choice of options
/

Pearson PTE Academic

computer-based (Testcenter) or Online (@home version)

10-29 Punkte30-42 Punkte43-58 points59-75 points76-84 pointsAt least 85 points
ISE Trinity College London (both modules) ISE 0ISE 1ISE 2ISE 3ISE 4
LCCI Certificate   Level 3//
KMK-Fremdsprachenzertifikat   KMK B2KMK C1/
IB Diploma (in English)   PassPass 
GCE/GCSE (International) Advanced Level   Pass//
Bachelor's or Master's degree taught entirely in English   Certificate & Transcript of RecordsCertificate & Transcript of Records/
US High School Diploma   PassGrades A-C/
High School year in an English-speaking country   Transcript of Records//
Certified “Fremdsprachenkorrespondent   Certificate//

* Planned for summer semester 2022

TOEFL itp: TOEFL® Institutional Testing Programme (ets). The SZHB accepts this as proof of B1 English only when all 4 parts have been successfully completed and at least 460 points achieved.
CAE: Certificate of Advanced English (Cambridge ESOL)
CPE: Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge ESOL)
FCE: First Certificate in English (Cambridge ESOL)
LCCI: London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
KMK ZertifikatFremdsprachenzertifikat der Kultusministerkonferenz (proof of professional foreign language competence)
GCE/GCSE AL / IAL: General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level / International Advanced Level (Abitur in international schools der UK)
IB Diploma: International Baccalaureate Diploma (in English)
ISE: Trinity College London - Integrated Skills in English

CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
DELF/DALFDELF A1DELF A2DELF B1DELF B2DALF C1DALF C2
B1 language certificate for prospective students  B1 test Institut Français///
Bachelor's or Master's degree taught entirely in French   degree certificate and transcript of recordsdegree certificate and transcript of records 
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
CILSCILS A1
adulti all'estero
CILS A2
adulti all'estero
CILS Level 1CILS Level 2CILS Level 3CILS Level 4
UNIcert® Italian UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® I///
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
CNaVT
(Universities of Amsterdam and Leuven)
  NT2 Programme INT2 Programme II
CNaVT - PTHO
CNaVT - PAT/
UNIcert® Dutch UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® I///

CNaVT: Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (Universities of Amsterdam and Leuven)
PAT: Profiel Academische Taalvaardigheid - Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (Universities of Amsterdam and Leuven)
PTHO: Profiel Taalvaardigheid Hoger Onderwijs - Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (Universities of Amsterdam and Leuven)

CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
State examination  certyfikat polski  PL-B1PL-B2//
UNIcert® Polish UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® IUNIcert® II//
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
UNIcert® Portuguese UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® I///
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
UNIcert® Russian  UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® I///
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
UNIcert® Swedish UNIcert® BasisUNIcert® IUNIcert® II//
CertificateA1A2B1B2C1C2
DELE  Nivel InitialNivel IntermedioNivel Superior/
B1 language certificate for prospective students  B1 test Instituto Cervantes///
SIELE Global  SIELE Global B1///

SIELEServicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española 

Updated by: SZHB