Schweizerischer Digitaler Sprachtest SDS language test (German)

Do you know why not?

Fide would be your best option if you can’t do SDS.

Der SDS wird per 01.07.2024 nicht mehr auf der Liste der anerkannten Sprachzertifikate sein.

Das SEM hat entschieden für die SDS-Zertifikate, welche im Zeitraum vom 25.01.2019 bis 30.06.2024 ausgestellt wurden, eine Übergangsfrist zu gewähren: Diese Zertifikate bleiben für ausländer- und bürgerrechtliche Gesuche, welche bis zum 30.06.2025 gestellt werden, gültig.

As per Schweizerischer Digitaler Sprachtest (SDS) – Deutschtest

So you can still write the SDS now and use it until 2025 (enough for your C Permit).

I wrote it a few weeks ago. Follow all the advice online for generic A2 exams (I’m guessing that is what you need):

  • Learn how to write a simple email
  • Learn how to describe your day well vocally

The reading and listening part is not that bad.

I scored A2 for written + spoken, B2 for reading + listening. You can tell how much I practice communicating in German, versus just understanding.

My room was silent, I had no issues with concentration. My guess is they are getting rid of it because it is too easy? Not sure… I did practice Goethe / FIDE exams and SDS was much easier.

Damn. I should have got off my backside and done the SDS. Now it will be even more difficult!

You have 12 days still :slight_smile:

I decided to schedule an appointment 3 days in advance, and to be honest I didn’t really study that much. Definitely I should have practice writing the emails and letters and speaking about my day more, but it is mangeable if you aren’t feeling perfect.

Nope. All sessions before the end of the month are booked now. Plus I haven’t practiced!

Try perhaps to qualify for the so-called ‘Dossier fide’. It was easy, quick and inexpensive (as for Switzerland).

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for the speaking part, what was the level you are talking about ? B1 or B2 ?

See also this news that SDS is not accepted any more by the immigration office: Schweizerischer Digitaler Sprachtest (SDS) tips - #3

SDS appealed the decision and the test results are still accepted at least till July 2025.

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Hi

Following your advice, I too gave the exam earlier this week and just got my results A2 Speaking and Writing, B1 Reading and Listening. So, thank you!

One more question, isn’t the requirement for C permit after 5 years is B1in Speaking? Or this applies to non-EU or those countries which don’t have a treaty with Switzerland?

You are correct, you require a minimum of B1 in speaking for the ‘early’ C permit.

See here for all the requirements

https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/countries/eda-all/en/faq-aufenthalt-und-niederlassung-sprachnachweis_EN.pdf

Thanks. I am aware of this document and the below information provided under Question 2 confuses me.

There is no language requirement for unmarried children under 18 years of age, for spouses and unmarried children (up to 18 years of age) of Swiss citizens, nor for persons who may benefit from the provisions of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP6).

I relocated to Switzerland in Nov 2019 from the UK under the AfMP when Brexit was not implemented. My current B permit also states EU/EFTA. I have came across a few individuals on this forum who also relocated the same year from the UK and have managed to obtain a C permit after 5 years based on A2 spoken. Perhaps the B1 requirement only applies to those moved to Switzerland after Brexit.

Just more technocratic bullshit.

I don’t think it has anything to do with Brexit, I think it’s related to the stricter requirements which came into force for everyone fairly recently.
It doesn’t matter when you arrived here, it’s the rules in force at the time you apply which are applicable.

Thanks! I consulted an immigration lawyer as there is conflicting information available on the internet. Zurich migration authority has published a document that clarifies when citizens of certain EU and non EU countries can apply for C permit after 5 years based on A1/A2.

Hi All,
I’ve heard that one can easily turn an SDS certificate into a fide (without further tests). Can anyone confirm that?

I appreciate the SDS certificate won’t be valid after 2025, but I am hoping it could be converted to FIDE equivalent before 2025 to ensure its valid for me for when I need it…

Context: I would like to sit the SDS German as its meant to be easier and I live and work here in CH and it may be useful to have my B1 cert to help me eventually fast track from my B permit to C Permit in a few years. As a British person who moved here after Brexit, I think this would be advantageous.

Thank you!

You could try, Fide offer this according to their website: fide fĂźr Sprachlernende: Sprachnachweise / Antragsformular Sprachenpass Ăźber ein anerkanntes Sprachzertifikat

I think the above lets you only add the SDS result to the fide-passeport, which I have no idea what is it for. It’s a tiny card listing your language competences for German/French/Italian, but is not a certificate itself.

For 20 chf it’s worth to try, though :grin:

I did the SDS PrĂźfung (exam) in the last few days.
Rules:

  • phone must be turned off
  • No jackets not purses/backpacks around
  • Smartwatches are taken away too

Tools:

  • tablet
  • Pencil
  • Sheet of paper
  • Keyboard (optional, if you don’t like to type on the tablet)

Time:

  • 2,5h + 15 min interview

Exam rules:

  • You have written and reading exercises on the tablet, the exercises are mixed but they always start with A1 and go all the way up until B2
  • Out of the blue you get a notification in the tablet that you must go to the interview (even if you are in the middle of an exercise) and then you go to a separate room where the interviewer already is waiting for you
  • in listening exercises, you can repeat the recording twice max, up until and including B1
  • In B2, it is only one recording possible
  • In both latter situations, the recording cannot be paused, so one needs to listen to everything
  • Once you confirm an answer in the tablet you cannot go back (you get a pop up window asking if you are sure you want to proceed)

Exercises I had:

  • A1 write down name, surname, nationality, birthday, address, post code and city
  • A1: pick words in boxes and match them against the pictures (one word does not match with anything)
  • A1: listen to words and match them to pictures
  • A2: write a formal email to your boss saying you cannot make it to a meeting on a specific week day (explain why and apologize) - ca. 40 words
  • A2: Read a text with an ad for a flat rental. You have 5 sentences about the text that you must choose if true or false
  • B1: Read a text about a workshop and their timetables, where the employees must park the car, etc. then you have 5 sentences about the text and you must choose if they are true or false
  • B1: listen to a conversation of a man calling the Gemeinde to register himself. Again you have 5 sentences and you need to choose each ones are true or false against the text.
  • B1: write a formal email to the online company where you saw a TV to be sold. It is asked to request when is delivery, at what time and if it has warranty. - ca. 80 words
  • B2: I don’t know as I did not do it. I stopped and said I was done with the exam.

Interview:
The interviewer asked me to tell a bit about myself (name, age, where I am from, profession). Then he asked me to describe a work day, as well as a weekend, in my life. Why do I live in my town, what exactly do I do in my job, what are my hobbies, what do I do at home when I’m not working, what are the feelings I have living at my place, why do I want to the the exam.

I hope this helps other people in the future.

Viel GlĂźck! :slight_smile:

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