Certificates and Exams

German

UAB Languages exams are proficiency exams, meaning that they test knowledge and communicative skills from an external perspective, regardless of the course taken, in line with the descriptors of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for each level.
UAB Idiomes courses match the CEFR levels, but its exams assess different levels of language proficiency, not the specific content of courses, nor any other particular areas that may have been covered.

DESCRIPTION
 
Level A1 German exam consists of four parts.
 
1.    Reading comprehension test
 

Evaluates reading comprehension capacity using simple informative or descriptive texts, instructions, messages, signs, posters and adverts.
 
Consists of multiple choice test (three options), short answer questions, gap fill exercises (maximum four words), true or false exercises and relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
2.    Listening comprehension test
 
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions.
 
Consists of two or three exercises which might be multiple choice (three options), short answer questions, gap-fill sentences (maximum four words) and sequencing or true or false questions. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
The recordings will be played twice.
 
3.    Writing test
 
Includes the production of two written texts, one transactional (postal, e-mail, form, etc.) of a minimum of 30 words and another descriptive of a minimum of 50 words. The first task counts for 10 points and the second for 15.
 
4.    Speaking test
 
The test is carried out in pairs and consists of three parts:
1)    Personal introduction.
2)    Individual comments about daily life and family.
3)    Dialogue between candidates about daily life and family.
 
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
 

Sample A1 exam

Answer key to sample exam A1
 
DURATION
 
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 90 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 15 minutes.
 
PASS CRITERIA

 
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
 
Level A1 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%). 
 
MARKING PROCEDURES
 
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
 
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator. 
 
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
 

DESCRIPTION
 

The Level A2 German exam consists of four parts.
 
1.    Reading comprehension test
 

Evaluates the  capacity for overall reading comprehension using simple informative or descriptive texts, instructions, messages, personal correspondence, advertisements, notices and leaflets.
 
This test consists of multiple choice questions (three or four options), short answer questions, gap-fill questions (maximum four words) and sequencing tasks or true and false questions with justification taken from the text. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
2.    Listening comprehension test
 
Evaluates overall listening comprehensionwith the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions, media texts and recorded materials.
 
Consists of multiple choice questions (three options), short answer questions, gap fill exercises (maximum four words), true or false exercises and relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
The recordings will be played twice.
 
3.    Writing test
 
Includes the production of two written texts, one transactional (postal, e-mail, form, etc.) of a minimum of 40 words and another descriptive of a minimum of 80 words. Both tasks carry the same weight.
 
4.    Speaking test

 
The test is carried out in pairs and consists of three parts:
1)    Personal presentation.
2)    Individual comments about daily life and family.
3)    Cooperative task between candidates.
 
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
 

Sample A2 exam

Sample A2 Exam Key
 
DURATION

 
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 120 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 15 minutes.
 
PASS CRITERIA
 
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
 
Level A2 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%). 
 
MARKING PROCEDURES
 
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
 
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator. 
 
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established critters which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
 
 

DESCRIPTION
 

The Level B1 German exam consists of four parts.
 
1.    Reading comprehension test
 
Evaluation of reading comprehension using informative, descriptive or argumental texts, instructions, messages and personal correspondence.
 
Consists of multiple choice questions (three options), short answer questions, gap fill exercises (maximum five words), true or false exercises and relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
2.    Listening comprehension test
 
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions, media texts and recorded materials.
 
Consists of multiple choice questions (three options), short answer questions, gap fill exercises (maximum five words), true or false exercises and relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
The recordings will be played twice.
 
3.    Writing test

 
Includes the production of two written texts, one transactional (for example, an e-mail) and the other non-transactional (descriptive, narrative, argumental or opinion). Each text must be at least 125 words long. Both tasks carry the same weight.
 
4.    Speaking test
 
The test is carried out in pairs and consists of three parts:
1)    Personal questions to the candidate.
2)    Individual comments without preparation in response to a small visual stimulus.
3)    Dialogue between candidates about daily life and family.
 
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
 
We are currently working to provide sample test questions.
 
DURATION
 
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 120 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 15 minutes.
 
PASS CRITERIA

 
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
 
Level B1 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%). 
 
MARKING PROCEDURES
 

The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
 
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator. 
 
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria  which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
            
 

DESCRIPTION
 
The Level B2 German exam consists of four parts.
 
1.    Reading comprehension test
 

Evaluates reading comprehension, spelling and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Consists of onem two or three texts on different topics (informative, descriptive and argumental): instructions, correspondence, articles, etc.
 
Consists of multiple choice test (three options), short answer questions, gap fill exercises (maximum four words), and tasks of finding equivalents in the text, relating and sequencing . The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
2.    Listening comprehension test
 
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions, media texts and recorded materials.
 
Consists of multiple choice questions (three options), short answer questions, true or false exercises with justification, gap fill exercises (maximum four words), and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
 
The recordings will be played twice.
 
3.    Writing test
 
Includes the production of two written texts: one transactional text (for example an e-mail or participation in a forum) of a minimum 175 words and the other descriptive, narrative, speculative or argumental of a minimum of 200 words. Both tasks carry the same weight.
 
4.    Speaking test
 

The test is carried out in pairs and consists of three parts:
1)    Personal introduction.
2)    Individual comments based on a stimulus.
3)    Interaction between candidates on different current topics.
 
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
 
We are currently working to provide sample test questions.
 
DURATION

 
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 180 minutes. The exam is presented in blocks of 90 minutes each with a 30-minute break between the two sessions. The speaking test lasts 20 approximately minutes.
 
PASS CRITERIA
 
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
 
Level B2.2 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%). 
 
MARKING PROCEDURES
 
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a marking model.
 
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfilment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator. 
 
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.