A1 & A2 Exams
3rd & 4th grade students can take the ZfA A1 test
(ZfA = Central Agency for Schools Abroad in Köln, Germany). The A1 test certifies that your child has basic German competence in listening, reading, writing and speaking. This is also the first preparation for the DSD tests, as this test has the same format as these more advanced tests. Your student will benefit from taking this test by becoming familiar with the basic test format as well as becoming comfortable with a testing situation. The test also documents their language development and provides valuable feedback to their teacher.
7th & 8th grade students can take the ZfA A2 test.
This test will certify that your child has advanced basic German skills. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking will be tested, and your child will have to give a short presentation in German that they will have to prepare at home.
This test will also provide the school with valuable information about the language development of your child, and it will also show if your child is ready to take the more rigorous DSD 1 exam.
It takes place towards the end of the school year during class time. This test has the same format as the DSD 1 test, and is another stepping stone towards the higher level tests.
DSD 1 & DSD 2 Exams
Students who are at least 14 years old and have successfully passed the A2 test can take the DSD 1 test.
This rigorous test issued by the ZfA certifies the B1 level. A student who reaches the B1 level is eligible to attend a Studienkolleg in Germany, the tuition-free college prep program for international students.
The student will have to give a short prepared presentation for an exam committee on a Saturday and take an approximately 3 hour written exam at GSEB on a weekday. The testing dates are set by the ZfA in Germany.
We will have to register your student in December before we know the exact dates of the examinations (most likely in March/April). Please note that we cannot unregister your child once registered. If you have a scheduling conflict due to traveling (spring break), it will count as a failed exam.
The DSD 1 exam can be repeated once if it was not passed or if it was passed on the A2 level. We recommend waiting until your student is at least 15 and a freshman or sophomore in High School, as this test is not only rigorous regarding the German skills, but also regarding their intellectual maturity. Older students usually test significantly better than younger students.
Your student will need at least 20-30 hours at home to prepare for the written exam and to write and practice their presentation for the oral exam. Students who wish to register for the DSD I exam need to meet stringent registration criteria, certified by their teacher.
Students who are at least 16 years old and who have passed the AP German test with a score of 4 or higher are eligible to be registered for the DSD 2 test.
Students must meet the ZfA criteria, as certified by their teacher. The DSD 2 test can be passed on two levels, B2 (advanced intermediate) or C1 (nearly native level). A student who passes on the B2 level is eligible to attend a Studienkolleg in Germany, the tuition-free college prep program for international students, a student who passes on the C1 level meets the language requirements to attend a German University. The actual admission is also dependent on their academic performance in High School.
This most rigorous exam consists of an oral exam that the student will have to prepare at home, with guidance from their teacher. Please schedule at least 25 hours for the preparation of the presentation.
The written exam will be held in December, on a weekday at a location TBD. Please schedule at least another 25 hours of homework to prepare for the written test. The oral exam usually takes place in early spring. GSEB has no influence on the test dates and location, and we will have to register your child in mid September before we know the exact exam dates. Please note that we cannot unregister your child once he/she is registered. If they do not take the test, it will count as a failed exam.
Your child will be able to retake the test once, if they don’t score on the B2 or C1 level. A test passed on the B2 level cannot be retaken to achieve a better result.
Students who wish to register for the DSD II exam need to meet stringent registration criteria, certified by their teacher.
AP & AATG Exams
High School students (9th grade+) can take the AP preparation class.
Our school is not an AP testing site; you will have to inquire at your High School about the possibility to take the AP German test. If your High School is not willing to offer the AP test for your child, we might be able to refer your child to other High Schools. In the past, all students were able to take the exam, if they were willing to travel to an alternate high school in the Bay Area. Many, but not all colleges (public colleges more likely than private colleges) will grant course credits for a successful AP exam score, allowing your student to meet their language requirements faster. The main benefit of the AP program is the learning experience within a high level peer group. It may also provide benefits for college applications and résumés.
Starting in 6th grade, students can take the AATG National German test.
This test is organized by the AATG (American Association of Teachers of German). The test is online-only, testing reading and audio-visual comprehension exclusively. AATG Levels 2-4 are administered in December/January. Successful students will receive a certificate. Students who do not speak German at home and have never been to Germany but achieve the gold level will be eligible to apply for a travel grant to Germany.
The AATG exam will provide the teacher with valuable information about the child’s learning process.
