Didnt know which forum to list this under.

I think I would like to study in Vienna and need to pass to level B2-German.,

I found a website which states that the sample Tests kit are "exactly like that on the real test". see link - http://www.osd.at/default.aspx?SIid=32&LAid=2&ARid=107


Is this true? Is it possible? I mean are there places, maybe even in Switzerland where you can learn the exact material for the german test?

I just want to pass it to do a Ph.d. One school offers a "doctorate" with taught classes in German though.

Any feedback welcome





http://www.osd.at/default.aspx?SIid=32&LAid=2&ARid=107

Here is a link for the B2 examination from the Goethe Institut. There is also test material there. If you really want to learn German, I would
go to Germany first.

http://www.goethe.de/lrn/prj/pba/bes/gb2/enindex.htm

Thanks for that. What I noticed is that the site stated "model exams". My link states that it is the real exam.

I wondered if it was normal to practice real exams before......."real" exam

The model exams reflect the difficulty of the the real exams
pretty accurately....

A real exam cannot be found ahead of the fact....

B2 That's how they word it... it means that the exams can be on a wiiiiiiiiiiiiide range of topics. There used to be categories of specialized areas, did they keep them or changed it (again)? I haven't followed for almost ten years now. Sorry for that.
The exams in B2 can be very different as far as topics and content is concerned. The kind of questions however is more or less the same, and it's all about getting the maximum of comprehension without to have to get all subtleties. Oral exchange with ease means that you can talk with a native without preparation or minimum preparation about a topic you are familliar with but do not specifically study for. You must be able to explain not only concrete situations but also abstract ideas, thus a certain level of reasonning about general topics. It's really vast. The main difficulties are in my eyes the range of vocabulary needed and the ability to express oneself with ease in an oral unrehearsed conversation.
Good luck with it.

Faltrad...that is what I feared.

"The main difficulties are in my eyes the range of vocabulary needed and the ability to express oneself with ease in an oral unrehearsed conversation."

I am certainly B1....but B2 is just a whole other level. If you know the vocabulary....learning how to use it ...ufff...my issue which I havent taken the time to do.

http://www.telc.net/fileadmin/data/e...lnehmer_02.pdf

On page 19+20 you can see transcripts from an oral exam at B2 level, and the at the bottom there are comments and you can see the marks given to the candidates.

I don't think you should find the step from B1 to B2 too intimidating. I found the improvement was one that came much more naturally, without sitting in class and studying, because you can start to read the newspaper, listen to the radio, and have simple conversations with native speakers, and improve that way. I actually found that once i'd crossed the hurdle of B1 (which I had done mostly in the traditional learning with a book and sitting in a classroom way) B2 came in a couple of months.

That's exactly what I was told last year at the Volkshochschule in Bern as well. I did an intensive B1/B2 Brückenkurs, at the end of which we were all told that if we wanted to go on and do a full-blown B2 course, we would not find it much more difficult in terms of grammar but that we would have to do a lot of work to bridge the difference in vocabulary between B1 and B2.

I did a test this morning online, with the Alpha language school, based in Vienna, and it told me I`m a B1.

I thought I was DEFINATELY not at B2 level when I took the test. I thought my understanding of the language was pretty good and as the the grammar, I felt I had a fairly good handle on that too, but when it comes to talking I really thought I wasn't at B2 level. Everyone told me how difficult the B2 test is and after doing it in April, I was convinced I had failed!! After waiting 8 weeks for the results, I passed with a combined total of 84%. In one of the oral sections (which I was SURE Id failed) I got 94%, I had to check the name a few times.
Im not trying to boast, just want to say that I think if you are B1 level, then the model tests on the Goethe or TELC website (i did telc) are the best thing that can prepare you for the B2 test. Also letter writing is important.
I only went to german classes up to B1.

Good luck.

Rell...that is quite encouraging!!!!

I mean I understand I am sure to B2 reading....and listening and understanding...

Speaking...total katastrophe!!! :-)))

But I will think positive...and just relax:-)

I'm surprised they only require B2. If I was going to do a PhD, with classes in German, I'd want to have at least C1 level. And not just manage to pass the C1 test, but really be C1.

Still, I have heard of universities that only require B2 level to get in. But a PhD in Vienna? That'd be hard in my opinion.

Still, never hurts to get the B2 and see where you go from there.

Spoke to the people at the university. As this is a ph.d/doctorate....not all the lectures/things are in German.

Therefore I may NOT have to do the test at all...as most lectures, workshops, conference etc are in English.

Yooohhoooo. Thanks for the International Language of English: