The Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) is an internationally recognized exam of German language ability. It tests for a level of ability equivalent to level B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.[1] Candidates typically need between 300 and 600 hours of instruction in German in order to obtain the necessary fluency to pass the Zertifikat Deutsch exam.[1]
Some organizations have changed the name of this exam, for example the Goethe-Institut, which has called it Goethe-Zertifikat B1 since May 2013,[2] [1] [3] but others still use the original name.[4] [5]
The Zertifikat Deutsch exam is tailored to the needs of adult students of German, regardless of whether they are inside or outside a German-speaking country. Another exam, the Zertifikat Deutsch für Jugendliche (ZD j), is tailored to adolescent students of German.
The Zertifikat Deutsch is the result of a joint collaboration between the Goethe Institute, the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD), the Schweizer Erziehungsdirektorenkonferenz (EDK) and WBT Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme gGmbH, later renamed telc GmbH (i.e.The European Language Certificates).