Every student is at a different level with unique strengths and weaknesses. Hence, our test teachers will advise each student on which exams they are ready to take. Not only is the level of German important, but also other factors like maturity, age, as well as political and cultural awareness have to be considered.
The table below shows typical timelines. If a student comes at a higher grade level to one of our test classes and the German knowledge is sufficient, the tests can be taken in a shorter time frame.
| Grade | Native speakers | Non-native speakers |
| 8th grade | DSD I | A2 |
| 9th grade | AP German | DSD I |
| 10th grade | DSD II | AP German |
| 11th grade | DSD II |
AP German
This exam is not administered by SBDS. Students have to register themselves at the High school of their choice.
Students can take this exam at their high school or at a different high school. Most of the high schools do not administer this test, but the best way is to ask your high school first. If the school can’t administer the test, then ask the school district for an alternative or a solution. In the past, some students were accommodated by their own high school. In the last years, The German International School in Mountain View, Independence High School in San Jose and Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto took students from outside their school for the AP German.
The preparation for the AP German in the L6b class starts in September. The exam is completely different from the DSD exams and requires extra time to prepare. The L6b class gets divided into 2 groups, each one preparing according to their specific learning goal. The AP German does not only test language skills, it also tests knowledge about German customs, politics, social and cultural issues. The exam is really geared towards students who have been studying German for years at their high school. Native speakers who have spent a significant amount of time in Germany or know a lot about German culture can master this exam in 9th grade, but other students better take the exam later.
AP German exams are administered through the local high schools and arrangements need to be made with a local high school that offers the AP German exam to take the AP exam at that high school in the spring. Note that advanced registration is required as early as October for test the following May.
A2 Vergleichsarbeit
This exam is an easy introduction to the style of the DSD. Students get acquainted with the format of the exams and discover which areas need improvement for the DSD I exam in the following year. The preparation takes place in our L6a class and the exam will be administered at SBDS.
DSD I and DSD II
The Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (German Language Diploma of the Education Ministers Conference), or for short the DSD of KMK, can be obtained by high school students as a certificate proving German language proficiency on two levels. The exams are designed to test the language proficiency level ranging from A2 – B1 and from B2 – C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and test the listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing skills, and oral communication of the candidate. The exams will be administered at SBDS.
DSD I (Deutsches Sprachdiplom on the first level) ZfA – DSD I:
Passing the DSD I exam documents that the student’s proficiency of German is at the level B1 of the Common European Framework of References for Languages Common European Framework of Reference for Language skills | Europass.
The DSD I provides students with the linguistic qualification for the Studienkolleg, which offers a one year long program with preparatory courses for students to eventually attend a university in Germany.
Students will be tested in four sections: Reading comprehension (60 min.), Listening comprehension (40 min.), Written communication, (75 min.), and Speaking comprehension (15 min.). Each section accounts for 25% of the exam. Students can score per section a maximum of 24 points. The total amount of acquired points of each section will determine the level of language proficiency.
The DSD I will be administered in the Spring. The exam lasts two days: The reading, listening and the writing part will be held first, the oral part will take place a little later. It is not possible to take the exam at any different day than the set date. Students who miss the exam do not pass. Fortunately, they may retake the exam the following year. The age limit for the DSD I is 14 years or 8th Grade. Younger students need to apply for an exception.
DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom on the second level) ZfA – DSD II:
The DSD II provides the linguistic qualification for advanced studies at a German College or University. The exam is aligned with the “Abitur” (High school exit exam in Germany) in the subject “German as a foreign language”. Students with the DSD II exam therefore do not have to take another language entry exam at a German College or University.
The DSD II can be passed at two levels: the B2 level and the higher C1 level (with C1 being the requirement for applying to German Universities). Students are recommended to check the application guidelines of the universities they would like to apply to.
Students will be tested in four sections: Reading comprehension (85 min.), Listening comprehension (50 min.), Written communication (120 min.), and Speaking comprehension (20 min. with a prepared presentation about a chosen subject and a spontaneous presentation about an unknown subject). Each section accounts for 25% of the exam. Students can score per section a maximum of 24 points. The total amount of acquired points of each section will determine the level of language proficiency.
The DSD II will be administered in December / January. There will be two exam days: The reading, listening and the writing one day first, and the oral part with the consultant from Germany a few weeks later. It is not possible to take the exam at any different day than the set day. Students who miss the exam do not pass. Fortunately, they can retake the exam the following year. The age limit for the DSD 2 is 16 years or 10th Grade. Younger students need to apply for an exception.