The Deutsch-Test fuer Zuwanderer (DTZ) is one of the final examinations of an immigrant in Germany, who finished an integration course. This test replaced the Zertifikat Deutsch and Start Deutsch 2 on July 1, 2009. To complete the requirements of integration courses, one must pass the following examinations:

1. DTZ
2. Standardized Federal Test for the Orientation Course

The TELC GmBH and the Goethe Institut have developed model tests for DTZ.

The DTZ and Test for the Orientation Course are final examinations one needs to take after completing an integration course in Germany. Normally, the orientation course test comes few weeks before the DTZ.

Before an examinee qualifies for the examination, he or she must complete the minimum number of hours of integration course. The integration course provider can give you a thorough explanation on these minimum requirements.

To qualify for the test for the orientation course, an examinee must have 45 hours spent in political lectures during the integration course. In addition, an examinee must complete the minimum requirements sanctioned by the integration course provider.

On the examination day, here are some "ambiance" on the examination center:

1. Each examinee will be at least in a certain distance from the other examinees to avoid cheating.
2. A teacher or watcher shall be in charged during the examination.
3. Examination consists of 25 questions, which you need to finish in 45 minutes.
4. There are few simple rules but bear in mind that these are rules. Rules are rules. For example, shading of items in the answer sheets and the kind of pencil required must be followed. These are important because the computer might not read your data if you did not follow the correct instruction in shading your answers.
5. You need to get at least 13 correct answers to pass the examination.
6. The 25 questions were selected at random from the Standardized Federal Test for Orientation Course. These are in total 250 questions. Each examinee shall receive his or her own set of 25 questions, totally different from the others.
7. If you studied for the test, I assure you that you can finish the test only in 10 minutes! (You are allowed to exit the examination room quietly when you are done with the test.)

In the DTZ, expect the following:

1. Listening (Hoeren)
2. Reading (Lesen)
3. Writing (Schreiben)
4. Speaking (Sprechen/Muendliche Prüfung)

The DTZ determines whether or not your level of knowledge in the German language is within A2 or B1. Based on my experience, here are the criteria as basis of their grading system:

Listening and Reading
A2 Level 20 out of 45 points
B1 Level 33 out of 45 points
Writing
A2 Level 7 out of 20 points
B1 Level 15 out of 20 points
Speaking
A2 Level 35 out of 100
B1 Level 75 out of 100 points

Depending on your points/scores earned, TELC (The European Language Certificates) GmBH shall award your certificate based on your possible scores. Hence, one could receive either A2 or B1 Certificate (or maybe even lower!).