FIDE German test · A1, A2, B1
FIDE Exam Sample Papers in German, with Answers (A1–B1)
Get ready for the FIDE German test with German FIDE test sample papers that follow the official format. Our model tests reflect real exam situations, from the oral part to the written part, so you know what to expect on test day and how to pass.
- 50+ writing and reading papers from A1 to B1
- Model answers on every writing paper and on selected speaking papers
- Online practice, on your computer or phone
Try free first · Full access 85 CHF / year
and subjects
written answers, A1–B1
Whether you take the FIDE test for a permit or for naturalisation, you practice the same tasks as in the real FIDE-test German exams: the oral part and the written part.
For adults preparing the FIDE test in German for a Swiss permit or naturalisation. Created by My Linguistics, a language school in Geneva, Switzerland, that runs FIDE test preparation courses.
FIDE exam sample papers German candidates can try for free
Not sure yet? Try before you commit. Our free FIDE German test sample papers show you the whole structure of the oral test, with examiner-style prompts and instructions.
FIDE A2 speaking sample paper
Describe a picture and answer the examiner’s questions in a shop situation.
Preview an A2 paper →B1 German test sample (speaking)
Talk about training and course options, give your opinion and explain your choice.
Preview a B1 paper →These FIDE exam examples in German are the easiest way to try the FIDE test online, free, before you buy, and to compare them with other B1 German test examples you have seen.
FIDE exam German sample papers: free and full access options
Try before committing
- 1 A2 speaking sample paper
- 1 B1 speaking sample paper
Buy individual modules
- Choose a specific skill or level: A1, A2 and B1 speaking tasks, or A1, A2 and B1 writing and reading
- Includes an AI pack (about 120 exercises). Top up anytime.
Complete German learning pack
- 70+ A2 and B1 speaking tasks
- 50+ A1, A2 and B1 writing and reading papers
- 6 A1 speaking sample tasks
- Includes an AI pack (about 120 exercises). Top up anytime.
- 1 year of access
- Online, works on a phone
- German
- Model answers on every writing paper
All papers are online: you practice on our learning platform, and the documents cannot be downloaded as a PDF.
What’s inside our FIDE exam German language sample papers?
Language trainers develop our practice materials to reflect the official exam format, themes and level of difficulty (A1–B1), so you can build the language skills the FIDE test checks. The same papers are used in our preparation courses, and now you can work with them on your own or between lessons.
Speaking practice for the oral test (A1, A2, B1)
The oral test starts at A2 level for every candidate. The examiners then continue with A1 or B1 tasks. Our speaking papers train exactly these tasks:
Describe a picture, simulate a phone call to make, move or cancel an appointment, and talk about habits and experiences
Name places and actions on a picture and react in simple everyday situations
Discuss a topic, describe an experience or a process, talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a situation, and take a position
Our platform gives you over 150 speaking tests and subjects to explore and practice with beforehand.
Model answers are available on a selection of speaking papers for now, and we are adding more.
Each paper comes with examiner-style prompts, guidance for interaction and individual speech, and everyday themes such as housing, work, transport, childcare and daily routines. You can practice aloud, take notes or rehearse with a language partner. Regular speaking practice builds your oral skills and helps you pass the oral part with confidence.
Reading and writing papers for the written test (A1, A2, B1)
Looking for German B1 exam model papers with answers? Every writing paper includes a model answer, so you can compare your text with a strong answer, and AI feedback corrects what you wrote.
The written part has three modules with six tasks. Depending on your level, you take the A1–A2 or the A2–B1 modules:
- short texts to read
- forms to fill in
- an email to answer
- at B1, a simple formal letter
The texts are adapted from authentic documents, such as notices, forms and letters.
Our papers follow the same tasks, from A1 to B1, so you can prepare every written answer the way the exam expects it.
Tip from the official handbook: cover every point in the instruction. In the A2 email task, for example, the greeting and closing together, and each of the three points to address, earn up to 2 points each (8 points for content), and language quality earns up to 6 more. Leave out one point and you lose marks, however good your German is.
AI feedback on your written answers
Every written answer gets structured feedback, aligned with the evaluation criteria of the exam:
AI scoring breakdown
Your answers are evaluated against A1, A2 and B1 criteria, with clear feedback for each question.
AI task evaluation
Checks whether your response meets the task and answers every instruction.
AI grammar and spelling analysis
Identifies grammar and spelling errors with clear corrections and explanations.
AI writing and style recommendations
Improves clarity and structure, and flags awkward phrasing and limited vocabulary.
Each account comes with an AI pack: on average, around 120 writing and reading exercises with full AI feedback. If you need more, you can buy additional AI credits from your dashboard.
FIDE test papers based on official guidelines
The FIDE test was developed on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Its tasks come from everyday situations in Switzerland. The FIDE test topics are grouped in 11 areas:
- housing
- children
- work
- job search
- administration
- media and leisure
- mobility
- shopping
- post office, bank and insurance
- health
- training courses
Our German FIDE exam papers follow these topics and the A1, A2 and B1 language levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). We update our practice materials when the FIDE secretariat publishes changes.
Official FIDE resources to use alongside our papers
The official model test
You can download it free from the fide Service website: reading and writing tasks with solutions (A1–A2 and A2–B1), speaking and listening tasks, and the audio files.
The official exam handbook
The fide Test handbook (July 2023) sets out the evaluation criteria and what each task expects.
Use the official FIDE model test as a first mock exam. It is one version of the test; our papers give you many more tasks to cover every level of the FIDE test.
How can you study with these FIDE German test papers?
You can work with the papers in several ways:
Solo practice
Go through the questions and prompts on your own, building timing, structure and confidence.
With a language partner
Take turns asking and answering to simulate the oral part of the exam.
In a preparation course
Bring the papers to your lessons for targeted feedback before the test date and exam day.
These materials are flexible: they support your progress whether you prefer self-study or guided lessons. When you feel ready, take a full model test in real time: 40 minutes for the oral part and 60 minutes for the written part, just like the exam.
The FIDE test in German at a glance
Oral and written
The Swiss FIDE test checks your German language skills in an oral part (speaking and understanding) and a written part (reading and writing). Each part is assessed separately. You can take the FIDE test as the entire test, only the oral part or only the written part.
About 40 minutes
A speaking interview of about 15 minutes with two examiners, then a listening part of about 15 minutes, with short audio clips from everyday Swiss situations. This part is purely auditory: you cannot read the questions before listening, and there is nothing to read or write to guide you. At A1 and A2 you choose the right picture out of three, and at B1 you answer the examiner’s questions orally. Speaking counts for two thirds of the oral result, listening for one third.
60 minutes
Three modules with six tasks. Some examination institutions list an introduction approx. 15 minutes before the written test starts.
Dialect is fine
In the speaking part, you may answer in dialect, and helvetisms are not penalised in the oral or the written part.
Decided during the exam
You do not register for a level. The level combination (A1–A2 or A2–B1) is decided during the exam, and your oral and written results can be at different levels.
Official prices
CHF 250 for the entire test, CHF 170 for the oral part, CHF 120 for the written part. The price is set at federal level and is the same at every accredited examination institution. You can retake the test as often as you like, but you pay the fee each time.
At the latest 15 days before
You register directly with an examination institution, at the latest 15 days before the examination date. Each institution has its own registration form, registration deadline and cancellation conditions, and some close earlier. Check what you need to bring, such as a valid ID. Places are limited, so register early to secure your test date. Example: at ECAP, withdrawing up to three weeks before the test costs a processing fee of CHF 50; after that, the full fee is due.
About four weeks
Sent by post with your language passport about four weeks after the test, or up to six weeks for exams between mid December and mid January.
Who needs the FIDE German test?
Since 1 January 2019, foreign nationals applying for certain permits must prove their language skills. The FIDE test is one proof recognised by the Swiss authorities, alongside recognised language certificates. The general federal requirements, published by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), are:
| Your application | Oral part | Written part |
|---|---|---|
| Residence permit (B permit) | A1 | not required |
| Settlement permit (C permit), regular | A2 | A1 |
| Settlement permit (C permit), early | B1 | A1 |
| Naturalisation | B1 | A2 |
Your canton can ask for more, so always confirm with the authorities handling your application. More on levels in our FIDE test guide and our FIDE oral exam guide.
FIDE German test: your questions
What levels do the German FIDE sample papers cover?
Speaking: A2 and B1, plus A1 speaking samples. Writing and reading: A1, A2 and B1, the same levels as in the FIDE test. All papers follow the levels used in the FIDE test, from A1–A2 to A2–B1.
How can I access all the My Linguistics FIDE sample papers?
Buy a pack from our product page and create an account: you get online access for one year. The documents cannot be downloaded. Check which pack you buy, as papers are divided by skill (speaking, writing and reading) and some packs do not include everything.
Can I study with these papers without a teacher?
Yes. The papers are designed for self-study and help you pass the exam on your own: work through the prompts on your own, then practice with a partner, friend or family member to simulate the oral interaction. You can also bring them to a preparation course or tutoring session for structured feedback.
Are these official FIDE German exam papers?
No. They are created independently by our team of language trainers. They follow the format, themes and assessment criteria published by the FIDE secretariat, but they are not issued or approved by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
When should I start preparing for the FIDE test?
Start preparing early, even before you register and have a test date. Give yourself enough preparation time to practice every task at your level. Early practice with a model test and sample papers builds confidence before test day and before you take the FIDE exam.
Where can I find more FIDE resources?
Start with the official model test on the FIDE website. The FIDE secretariat also publishes videos and texts of typical situations. We have also published articles on every part of the FIDE exam.
Do I need to prepare for both parts of the exam?
That depends on the permit you are applying for. For a residence permit (B permit), you normally only need the oral part of the exam. For a settlement permit (C permit) or Swiss citizenship, you usually need to pass both the oral and written parts, so plan your preparation for the oral and written test. Always confirm the exact requirements with your canton or on the official FIDE website.
What is the FIDE language passport?
The FIDE language passport is the official document you receive by post with your test results. It certifies your level in the oral part, the written part or both, and you use it as proof of your German language proficiency for your permit or Swiss citizenship. In principle it is valid for life, but Swiss authorities can ask for a more recent certificate if yours is very old.
What is the FIDE test in German?
FIDE stands for Français, Italiano, Deutsch, three of Switzerland’s national languages. The FIDE test is developed on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and assesses your ability to communicate in everyday situations in Switzerland. It is a Swiss test and is usually not valid in Germany, Austria or other countries. Other German exams exist, but for Swiss immigration purposes they are not always accepted.
Is grammar essential on the exam?
Less than most people think. According to the official handbook, the FIDE test focuses more on understanding and reacting appropriately in a situation than on grammatical correctness. Your German language level still decides how much accuracy the examiners expect:
- A1 = Complete beginner. You have enough vocabulary for the person you are speaking with to guess what you want to say. You understand simple questions and instructions.
- A2 = Beginner / lower intermediate. You can hold a simple conversation and understand people speaking slowly. You still make many grammatical mistakes and struggle with the past tense, but you get your message across.
- B1 = Intermediate. You build sentences with relatively few grammatical mistakes and speak in the present, past and future. You can hold most everyday conversations.
Can I read the questions before listening in the listening comprehension section?
No. Candidates are not able to read questions before listening in the listening comprehension section. This part of the exam is exclusively auditory: there is no writing or reading to guide you. You listen to short audio clips, then choose the right picture out of three (A1 and A2) or answer the examiner’s questions orally (B1). Practice listening without a text in front of you.
What if I have a disability?
Special rules apply for candidates with disabilities. They are agreed between the examination institution and the fide office, so contact the institution when you register.
Independence notice: the FIDE test was developed on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). These papers are developed independently by My Linguistics and are not official FIDE materials, nor endorsed, approved or issued by SEM or the fide secretariat. Official model test: fide-service.ch.
Preparing the FIDE test in French?
Our French FIDE sample papers are developed separately, with their own tasks, themes and exam focus.
Start preparing for the FIDE test today
Try a free A2 or B1 sample paper, then get full access to all our German FIDE practice papers with AI feedback for 85 CHF a year.
