AFTER THE COURSE
ÖSD A2 Lesen & Hören Strategy: The 5/25 and 6/30 Subtest Floors & Scoring Machines
Master ÖSD A2 Lesen and Hören: avoid the subtest floors (Lesen ≥5, Hören ≥6), 8-keyword tick penalties, Notizblatt gap-fills, and free Paper 1 diagnostic test.
VON GERMANIUM
Editorial desk — calibrated against official ÖSD ZA2 Modellsatz (ISBN 978-3-903164-68-0) and Durchführungsbestimmungen
The ÖSD Zertifikat A2 (ZA2) examination operates on a very different scoring logic than Goethe or telc. On ÖSD, Listening (Hören — 30 points) carries more weight than Reading (Lesen — 25 points). Crucially, the exam enforces strict subtest minimum floors (Teilverfahrensgrenzen): failing either individual subtest floor automatically fails the entire Written Module, even if your total point tally is comfortably above passing. You can diagnose your scores on the verified format using our free timed ÖSD A2 Paper 1 mock test.
The Deadly Subtest Floors: Lesen ≥ 5/25 and Hören ≥ 6/30
According to the official ÖSD Durchführungsbestimmungen, passing the Written Module (Schriftliche Prüfung) requires meeting three separate conditions simultaneously:
- Written Module Aggregate: At least 35 out of 70 points (50%).
- Reading Subtest Floor (Lesen): At least 5 out of 25 points (scoring below 5 fails the entire module).
- Listening Subtest Floor (Hören): At least 6 out of 30 points (scoring below 6 fails the entire module).
Hören: Three Scoring Machines & The Tick Penalty Rule
The ÖSD A2 Listening paper runs for approximately 15 minutes across three distinct tasks. Candidates receive a dedicated 30-second reading pause before each task ("Lesen Sie Aufgabe N gut durch"):
| Task | Format | Audio Playback | Points Scale | Critical Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aufgabe 1 | 8 keywords (mark EXACTLY 4) | Played ONCE ONLY (1x) | 10 / 7 / 4 / 1 / 0 | Penalty: 5 crosses = −3 pts; >5 crosses = 0 pts! |
| Aufgabe 2 | Notizblatt (fill 5 blank items) | Played TWICE (2x) | 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 2 / 0 | Phone numbers: all digits correct or zero |
| Aufgabe 3 | 5 speakers × 5 theme grid | Played ONCE ONLY (1x) | 2 / 1 / 0 per row | Empty matching boxes are scored as incorrect |
- Aufgabe 1 (The Penalty Tick Trap): You are given 8 thematic statements, exactly 4 of which are confirmed by the broadcast. If you are uncertain and place 5 crosses, the scoring system subtracts 3 points from your earned total. If you place 6 or more crosses, the entire task receives zero points.
- Aufgabe 2 (The Notizblatt): The only track played twice. You transcribe handwritten notes (caller name, date, phone number, appointment location). Minor spelling errors that do not alter the meaning are tolerated (Maler vs Mahler), but any transposed digit in a phone number or date results in zero for that item.
- Aufgabe 3 (5 Short Opinions): Five speakers deliver short perspectives on a daily situation. Played once only. Never leave a row blank.
Lesen: 10 Headings & The 15-Point Aufgabe 1
The Reading section contains two tasks within 30 minutes, but Aufgabe 1 carries the lion's share of the score:
- Aufgabe 1 (10 Headings A–K vs 5 Short Newspaper Snippets): Headings are labeled A through K (letter J is intentionally omitted in ÖSD conventions). Correct matches are rewarded on a stepped scale: 5 correct = 15 pts, 4 = 12 pts, 3 = 9 pts, 2 = 6 pts, 1 = 3 pts. Acing these five headings captures 15 of the 25 total reading points.
- Aufgabe 2 (180-Word Press Article + 5 Multiple Choice Items): A factual article from a German, Austrian, or Swiss daily newspaper with 5 items (graded 10 / 8 / 6 / 4 / 2 / 0 pts). Hitting 3 correct items secures 6 points, immediately clearing the 5-point subtest floor.
Interactive Self-Diagnostic: ÖSD A2 Subtest Floor Security
- [ ] The 4-Tick Cap in Hören 1: In Hören Aufgabe 1, do you resist marking an intuitive 5th option, knowing that doing so triggers an automatic 3-point penalty?
- [ ] Notizblatt Zero-Defect Phonetics: Can you transcribe spoken phone numbers and letters without transposing digits, aware that a single error zeros the entire Notizblatt item?
- [ ] Reading Aufgabe 1 Time Investment: Do you spend a full 18–20 minutes on Aufgabe 1 to secure the 15 available heading points rather than rushing into Aufgabe 2?
- [ ] Written Floor Safety Margin: Do you consistently achieve at least 8/25 in Lesen and 10/30 in Hören in timed mocks to remain safe from the 5/25 and 6/30 termination floors?
Can I retake only the Written Module on ÖSD A2?
Yes. Unlike Goethe A2, ÖSD A2 is divided into two independent modules: Written (70 points) and Oral (20 points). If you pass the Oral exam (at least 10/20) but fail the Written exam due to a subtest floor, your oral certificate remains valid for up to one year, and you only need to re-sit and pay for the Written module.
What happens if I write a phone number with spaces on the Notizblatt?
Spaces, slashes, or dashes in phone numbers do not cost points as long as the numerical digits are completely accurate. However, if any single digit is incorrect or missing, the item is awarded zero points.
Are spelling mistakes penalized in Notizblatt names and street words?
No, as long as phonetic comprehension is clear and unambiguous to the examiner (Bekerstraße instead of Beckerstraße is accepted without deduction).