Goethe vs telc vs ÖSD at A1–B1: what’s tested and how to choose

Last checked: 2026-10-12.
Exam rules, fees, and recognition can change. Confirm the exact exam name and format with the test centre and the authority that asked for your certificate.

If you need a paper that says “A1” or “B1,” you will usually meet one of three exam families: Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, or ÖSD. All three align with the CEFR. They differ in modularity, delivery (paper/digital), and which offices accept which brand — so “best” depends on who asked you for proof.

What all three test

At A1–B1 you should expect the four skills: reading, listening, writing, speaking. Names of parts differ slightly, but none of these general certificates is “listening only.” Plan practice for all four; Echo Deutsch is strongest for listening and speaking with dual captions.

Goethe-Institut exams

Official Goethe materials describe:

A1 Start Deutsch 1 (adults) / Fit in Deutsch 1 (younger learners): non-modular — written and oral parts as a whole package. Skills cover listening, reading, writing, and speaking in everyday situations.
A2 / Fit in Deutsch: likewise a full exam with written and oral components (reading, listening, writing, speaking).
B1: modular — Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking can be taken separately or together; speaking is usually a pair exam.

Goethe publishes detailed Durchführungsbestimmungen and exam regulations on goethe.de. Choose Goethe when your embassy, employer, or university explicitly lists Goethe certificates, or when you want the modular B1 path.

telc exams

telc’s public pages for general German describe:

Start Deutsch 1 / telc Deutsch A1: written and oral parts; listening plus reading/writing, then speaking.
Start Deutsch 2 / telc Deutsch A2: listening, reading, writing, speaking (not taken as partial modules on the standard A2 page).
Zertifikat Deutsch / telc Deutsch B1: reading, language elements, listening, writing, then a pair speaking exam with preparation time. Available computer- or paper-based according to telc.
telc Deutsch A2·B1: a dual-level exam that can certify A2 or B1 depending on performance.

telc is widely used in integration and vocational contexts in Germany; the dual-level A2·B1 format is useful when you are “between” levels.

ÖSD exams

ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) describes:

Zertifikat A1 / A2: two modules — written (reading, listening, writing) and oral (speaking) — which can be taken together or separately (with rules for combining module certificates within a year at the same centre). Digital options have been rolled out alongside paper.
Zertifikat B1: four modules — reading, listening, writing, speaking — independently bookable.

ÖSD is often chosen when Austrian recognition matters, or when a mission lists ÖSD Grundstufe / Zertifikat names (for example BAMF’s spousal-reunification leaflet mentions ÖSD Grundstufe Deutsch 1 among accepted A1 proofs).

How to choose (practical)

Read the letter that asked for proof. If it says “Goethe A1” or “telc B1,” follow that name.
Ask the German mission or Ausländerbehörde which ALTE-standard certificates they accept for your visa type. BAMF’s spousal leaflet, for example, lists Start Deutsch 1 (Goethe or telc), ÖSD Grundstufe Deutsch 1, and TestDaF among standardised options — but the mission decides.
Modularity: Need to retake only speaking? Goethe B1 and ÖSD B1 modular structures can help; many A1/A2 packages are all-or-nothing.
Location and dates: Pick the centre that has seats when you need them.
Don’t chase prestige. A recognised B1 you can pass beats an unused “harder” brand.

What’s tested in plain terms

Level	You should roughly be able to…	Typical exam shape
A1	Use familiar phrases, introduce yourself, handle very simple errands	Full written + oral package (Goethe/telc); ÖSD written + oral modules
A2	Handle simple routine tasks and short exchanges	Full skills set; ÖSD modular written/oral
B1	Deal with most travel/everyday situations, describe experiences	Often modular (Goethe/ÖSD); telc B1 with language elements + pair speaking

Preparing with Echo Deutsch

Echo Deutsch does not replace mock exams. Use it to build the listening/speaking stamina certificates assume:

A1 — study page → Watch with both captions → Shadowing on 5–8 cues → star failures.
A2 — hide English (Listen → reveal) on scenes you already know.
B1 — longer loops, dictation for articles, bookmarks export for a spoken review list.
Before exam week — switch to official practice tests from Goethe, telc, or ÖSD so task types feel familiar.

Pair this with writing practice from your course book; the player will not mark essays.