Hi folks
I will do soon the well-known SDS exam in my attempts to obtain a C-Permit and I’m missing the inputs from old forum. There were a lot of tips and tricks how to handle it. Could share, so we can rebuild the knowledge base for the future generations? 
I remember that people complained about background noise. You’re doing the listening exercise with a crap headphones in a busy room. I guess I’ll do FIDE instead as they have good facility standards.
Can you bring your own headphones?
I don’t think so. They have ready sets.
Breaking news: SDS is not accepted anymore by the immigration office.
What’s the next easiest option? Is there any other self-leveling exam?
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 https://www.digitalersprachtest.ch/schweizerischer-digitaler-sprachtest
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):
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 
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).
SDS appealed the decision and the test results are still accepted at least till July 2025.
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
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!