THE SDS GUIDE
The SDS test in Switzerland, explained.
If you are taking the SDS test in Switzerland, this guide explains how the test works,
what happens in each part and how to prepare for the level you need.
Where are you now?
Choose the point that matches your situation. You can still scroll through the full guide whenever you want.
I’m new to the SDS
Find out what the test is, why people choose it and whether it could fit your situation.
Start with the basics ↓ 02I’ve chosen the SDS
See how the test works, what you will have to do and how the adaptive format works.
See the test format ↓ 03My test is booked
Focus on what is worth practising and use your remaining preparation time well.
Prepare for test day ↓Not sure which level you need?
Check the requirement for your application before you book a test or start preparing.
What is the SDS?
The Schweizerischer Digitaler Sprachtest is a German test developed for Switzerland. It measures speaking, listening, writing and reading from A1 to B2.
You take most of the test on a tablet at a licensed test centre. Speaking is assessed in an individual interview with the test leader.
You don’t choose one level in advance
The test adapts to your performance and moves through the levels. You receive the level you actually reach.
Each skill receives its own result
Your certificate shows separate levels for speaking, listening, writing and reading. Your results do not all have to be the same.
You speak with the test leader
The speaking part is an individual interview. There is no second candidate whose German you also have to understand.
The tasks are based on life in Switzerland
The topics come from familiar situations such as work, housing, health, appointments and everyday services.
The certificate is currently recognised
The SDS is currently recognised for Swiss residence and citizenship procedures. Check the current requirements for your canton and application.
You don’t wait weeks for the result
Results are usually sent by the test centre within two to three working days.
How does the SDS test in Switzerland work?
You receive an introduction before you start. Most tasks appear on the tablet, while speaking is assessed in a separate interview.
Arrive and check in
The test centre checks your original, valid official photo ID.
See how it works
You receive an introduction and watch a short demonstration video.
Work on the tablet
Reading, listening and writing tasks alternate as you move through the test.
Have your interview
A licensed test leader assesses your speaking in an individual conversation.
The four skills
The complete SDS tests speaking, listening, writing and reading. You can also take only the oral or written module.
Oral module
2 skillsSpeaking
You speak individually with the test leader. The tasks depend on the level you reach during the interview.
Listening
You listen to audio tasks and answer on the tablet. The system evaluates your answers automatically.
Written module
2 skillsWriting
You complete writing tasks on the tablet. A licensed test leader assesses your writing.
Reading
You read different texts and answer on the tablet. The system evaluates your answers automatically.
You cannot book just one skill. The oral module always includes speaking and listening. The written module always includes writing and reading.
What will you have to do?
The exact tasks depend on the level you reach. They begin with short, simple activities and become more demanding as you move through the test. The topics come from everyday life in Switzerland, including work, housing, health, transport, authorities and school-related situations.
Speaking
Individual interview- Answer questions about yourself
- Describe a routine, explain how something works, or describe a situation and give reasons
- At higher levels, prepare a short talk on a given topic, discuss advantages and disadvantages, and say what you think
Listening
Tablet and headphones- Listen to a short everyday recording
- Understand concrete information such as a place, time or reason
- Identify who said what or recognise a speaker’s opinion
Writing
Tablet and keyboard- Enter short information in the correct fields
- Write an everyday email, for example to change an appointment or ask for information.
- At higher levels, write about a current topic, explain your opinion and give reasons
Reading
Tablet- Match simple words to pictures
- Find information in everyday texts such as letters, notices or advertisements
- Understand the main point and important details in longer texts
The test moves through the levels with you.
You start with tasks at A1. When you meet the requirements at one level, the test moves on to the next.
Speaking, listening, writing and reading are assessed separately. Your certificate can therefore show a different level for each skill.
You do not choose one level when you register. The test records the level you reach in each skill.
Costs, modules and test time
You can take the complete SDS or book only the oral or written module. The price and maximum test time depend on the option you choose.
| Option | Skills included | Price | Maximum test time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete SDS All four skills | Speaking, listening, writing and reading | CHF 239 | Max. 2 h 45 min |
| Oral module | Speaking and listening | CHF 150 | Max. 1 hour |
| Written module | Writing and reading | CHF 150 | Max. 1 h 45 min |
Plan around 3 hours 30 minutes for the appointment, including information and the introduction.
The oral and written results from two tests can be combined into one certificate on request.
What should you practise now?
Your test date is set. Now you need to decide where the remaining weeks can make the biggest difference. Start with the level you need and the situations in which your German still feels difficult.
Know what your target level requires
Check the oral and written levels you need and which module you are taking. Then think about what that level means in practice.
At A2, you should be able to understand short, clear messages, communicate in familiar routine situations and describe your background, your immediate environment and your everyday needs using simple language.
At B1, you should be able to understand the main points of clear language and familiar texts. You should also be able to speak in a connected way about familiar topics, experiences, plans and opinions, and give short reasons or explanations.
You do not need to sound perfect. You need to be able to do the things your target level asks of you.
Make familiar topics easy to talk about
Do not spend the remaining weeks working through every grammar topic again. Instead, practise talking naturally about the parts of life that concern you: your work, home, family, routine, appointments, transport and experiences in Switzerland.
Can you introduce yourself without preparing? Can you explain what your job involves, describe where you live or say how you usually get to work?
The moments when you cannot find a word, finish a sentence or connect two ideas show you what to work on next. Review the vocabulary and grammar that help you close those specific gaps.
Prepare for the interview
Speaking is assessed in an individual interview with the test leader. Practise answering questions about yourself, describing routines and explaining situations.
Do it out loud. Record yourself and listen back once. Notice where your answer stops, where you begin searching for words and which ideas you cannot yet express.
Write complete answers
If you take the written module, write complete answers instead of only thinking about what you would write. Set a timer, finish the text and then read it back.
Practise short, everyday texts: a message to change an appointment, a reply to a letter or a simple request. After a few complete texts, your recurring gaps become much easier to see.
Practise listening and reading for information
You do not need to understand every word. Practise identifying the main point and the concrete details that carry the message: Who is involved? What is the situation? When and where does something happen?
It helps to be familiar with the vocabulary of everyday life in Switzerland, including work, housing, health, school, transport and dealing with authorities. Make sure you can also recognise practical details such as times, dates, prices, places and reasons.
When choosing practice material, look for short everyday recordings and texts such as announcements, messages, letters, notices or advertisements. After each one, explain the main point in one sentence and note the important details.
Still have a question?
Here are the answers to some of the questions that often come up when people choose, book or prepare for the SDS.
What level do I need, and do I choose a test level when I book?
The level you need depends on the purpose of your application and sometimes on your canton. Check the requirements in the letter from your authority before booking the test.
You do not choose A2 or B1 when you register for the SDS. The test is adaptive and covers the levels from A1 to B2. Your certificate shows the level you reach in each of the four skills.
You can find an overview of the usual requirements for a C permit and Swiss citizenship .
Can I take the oral and written modules separately?
Yes. The oral module includes speaking and listening. The written module includes writing and reading. You can book the two modules separately and take them on different dates.
You cannot book a single skill on its own, such as only speaking or only writing.
Can I speak Swiss German in the SDS?
The standard language of the test is Standard German. In the speaking interview, however, you may also answer in Swiss German.
All recordings in the listening part are in Standard German. You will not hear Swiss German dialect in the audio tasks.
What can I do if one of my results is too low?
The complete test can be repeated as often as needed for the regular test fee. You can also repeat the oral module or the written module. An individual skill cannot be repeated separately.
If you repeat a module, the new results replace the previous results for both skills in that module. The results of an oral and a written module can be combined into one certificate on request.
Where can I take and book the SDS?
The SDS is offered by licensed test centres in different locations across German-speaking Switzerland. You choose a location on the official map and then register directly with that test centre.
How is the SDS different from fide, telc and Goethe?
The SDS and fide were developed for use in Switzerland and focus on everyday situations here. The SDS is adaptive and can assess your skills from A1 to B2. With telc and Goethe, you register for one specific level.
The tests also differ in their speaking format, test length, cost and how long you wait for the result.
Do I need a preparation course for the SDS?
No. A preparation course is not required. Some people prepare independently, especially if they already know the test format and are comfortable with the four skills.
If you are unsure what to focus on, send me your test date, the levels you need and the part of the test you find most difficult. I’ll let you know what kind of focused preparation I can currently offer.
Ask about focused preparation →Know what to expect. Now get ready for it.
You know how the SDS test works. But what does that mean for your own preparation? Tell me where you are with your German and what you need to work on. We can look at your next steps together.
Talk to me about your SDS preparation →